A Partridge in a Pear Tree (x3) Photos

[elkrchr]

Somehow I forgot to attach the photos. Enjoy!

 

[kansasdad]

Nice! You must really mark your birds down with camo feathers like that, or have a dog that will hunt dead.

 

[elkrchr]

My 11 year old female lab (Lena) has a great nose. I could have found two of the three without the dog, but the third bird I would have lost for sure. It was still alive when Lena brought it back to me. I had shot it's tail off when it launched itself out of the fir thicket, but I watched it carefully, marked the last spot I saw it and headed that way. When I reached the spot, Lena found the bird thirty yards away under a deadfall. I was really hoping to bag a few mountain quail, but they were elusive as usual.

 

[schmalts]

Are those the same bird as our Ruffed Grouse here in WI? If so, that is some good eating there for sure and tough birds to hit

 

[elkrchr]

Yep, same birds. You're correct in that they are one tough bird to hit in the thick cover they frequent. I got lucky yesterday and found them all in semi-open cover sunning themselves. Been a while since I shot a limit. I grew up in Stevens Point, WI and did a lot of hunting near our deer cabin between Phillips and Hayward. I can remember some of the cold winters and a thick hemlock stand which bordered a large aspen grove. There would be 30-60 ruffed grouse every evening come out of those hemlocks to feed in the aspens. We had a blast plinking them in the head with .22's.

 

[huntRme]

You mentioned mountain quail, then I noticed where you were from. I live in your neighborhood and its been years since I've seen enough quail and grouse to actually go hunting for them, but, then I don't get up in the woods as much as I used to. But, then again I can go all deer season without seeing any. Hmmm. Glad you got it down.

 

[Hatchie Dawg]

Wow, a fine Christmas dinner there. Congrats!