12/09/2022
11/26/22: Our statistics were completely messed up by this hunt, but the outcome was definitely positive! The general rule with ruffed grouse is that out of 4 birds flushed: 1 won't be seen, 1 will only be seen for a moment with no shot opportunity, 1 will offer a tough shot, and 1 will give you a decent presentation. Exactly 4 birds were seen, the first being a "road bird" seen through the windshield about 1/2 a mile from our parking spot. We never found her again (located in some of the nastiest laurel cover I've ever attempted). The other 3 birds each showed themselves well and 2 were pointed birds with easy shot opportunities. In a rare instance, I was carrying my Fox 20ga and was able to assist in dropping this nice red-phase hen, which was pointed by R***r (English setter) and backed by my client's young Drahthaar. After all the retrieve commotion was over, R***r pointed again in the exact same spot from a different position. Much to our surprise, the big c**k bird rocketed up through the open canopy and gave Steve an agonizingly superb opportunity.......to miss. Might have made my list of "Top 5 Easy to shoot Appalachian Grouse" that I've witnessed. The rest of the hunt went normally with lots of hard miles, several unproductive points and the slow healing process knowing that the bird tally wasn't going to change before sundown. Despite the heartache and sore muscles, Steve put his name on the list for February. prompting me to joke "Oh, so you want to do this later in the season when there are fewer birds?" He said yes, which begs the question: do grouse hunters need mental help?
