2026-2027 Upland Bird Thread

[R.K.]

No photos, but saw my first sage grouse this weekend while chasing antelope. Flushed them randomly at about 20 yards. They seemed, at the time, closer to turkeys than other grouse in both size and flight characteristics. Kinda hard to describe, so I’ll just say this:

Damn cool birds.

 

[Elkwhisper]

Mac Daddy is clocking in for another season....

 

[huntin24/7]

Haven’t seen a lot of birds being out and about this fall. My 4 month old lab was doing well with his training and comfortable around shooting so my wife and I took him for a short walk. He was able to get a short retrieve in some thick grass on the only bird we saw. He was pretty amped up after finding this ugly rooster. lol

 

[shrapnel]

My 2 favorite things about fall. Grouse and double barrel hammer guns…

 

[MNElkNut]

Been out four times. Got 2 roosters twice, didnt even see a bird twice. In all fairness, the last time I didnt see a bird got cut short as my son's truck water pump and serpentine belt gave up the fight on the freeway and hour and a half from home. Pulling an enclosed trailer. Was a busy night.

 

[shrapnel]

Burgess wrist slide folding shotguns are always cool too...

 

[Goatshoes]

Nice pics. guys. I envy those of you that have working dogs that actually work.

 

[brymoore]

Sad. Ruffs are now a three day controlled hunt in November on four pieces of public land for Ohio. I used to put up 20 ruff grouse a day and hunt until the end of February during my bachelor days.

 

[Birdbander]

Day 5 of UP Bird Camp

Took a drive up to the beginning of US41 just past Copper Harbor. I'd never been north of L'Anse and wanted to see some of the Keweenaw. Its beautiful country.

Saw a good number of grouse along US41 on the way up, only one of which was dead. Stopped at several places on the way back on mostly timber company land. Dogs pointed a couple of grouse but couldn't connect again.

 

[mtmiller]

Quick hunt this afternoon. Killed one, missed one.

 

[Birdbander]

Day 6 UP Bird Camp
Not many birds found today but I was fortunate to buck the odds and put two grouse & a woodcock in the bag.
The dog had a point that produced 5 grouse.

 

[Birdbander]

Day 7 UP Bird Camp
2 woodcock in the bag, cooked some for dinner last night
I've missed enough grouse to be ashamed of myself at this point!
The older dog is showing some wears so with only two days left I'll cherry pick his spots.

 

[brownbear932008]

Sad. Ruffs are now a three day controlled hunt in November on four pieces of public land for Ohio. I used to put up 20 ruff grouse a day and hunt until the end of February during my bachelor days.

It's sad what's happened to grouse here in the Appalachians use to see lots of grouse as a teen. Now they are rare. I really miss chasing them in January.

 

[Birdbander]

Day 8 UP Bird Camp
One grouse & two woodcock today
Spent the entire day driving trails and making quick hunts scouting areas for future year's. It really eats up the time but is necessary.

The above average temperatures and dry air haven't helped the dogs. Hitting only known good spots tomorrow to finish the trip.

 

[brymoore]

@Birdbander how are your dogs doing? Eight days is a long trip for a dog unless you have a couple to rotate.

 

[Birdbander]

@Birdbander how are your dogs doing? Eight days is a long trip for a dog unless you have a couple to rotate.

The first 3 days friends were here with their dogs so mine only worked half or a little less those days.

Since then my older dog at 7 years was wearing down by the end of the day yesterday, so today instead of switching dogs at each stop I ran the younger dog who is 3 years old twice for every one.

The younger dog needed to heel his paws after the Colorado ptarmigan adventure. I bought Tuf-Foot, followed the directions using it on both dogs and also rested the young one for two weeks. I'm happy to say their feet are in excellent shape.