MT upland opener reports

[300stw]

understand about training birds, have couple 8mo wirehairs, have 12 or so coveys we train on, and shot 1 bird over ea dog today, solid points only shoot 1 bird at a time in front of pups , no wild flushes or birds behind the dogs,,, i think it will be fair season

 

[MTLabrador]

 

[OntarioHunter]

How are the snakes out there in Montana right now? Has the drought made a difference that you folks can see?

 

[texwest44]

How are the snakes out there in Montana right now? Has the drought made a difference that you folks can see?

Yeah actually I saw fewer snakes this year than normal, especially rattlers. Not sure where they've moved to but they have a plan for this weather, it seems.

 

[300stw]

pup pointing mom honoring, took 2 birds this morning

 

[Ben Lamb]

Y'ins is killing me with this. Our season starts on the 15th.

 

[BirdManMike]

Nada this morning. Spot usually has sharptail, Sage grouse, and huns going into the season. Not planning on shooting anything and bird isnt flying just yet, but every bird encounter is good for my young one (who is finding them well ahead of my older ones now). Have run it 4 times in last 2 weeks and only gotten 1 point on small covey of huns in this field.

 

[JimQ]

Thanks for the reports everyone. Heading into the Belts after work tonight for a weekend of grouse/elk/deer which ever gets in my sights

 

[Nameless Range]

Not the opener, but my opener.

2 guys, 2 limits, 3 coveys, a few beers, 1 jump in the River, and 1 dirty look from an archery Hunter setting up his camp.

 

[shrapnel]

Found some Blues, I haven’t been out enough to determine bird numbers. I am always optimistic, grouse are the best reward for the whole hunting season...

 

[shrapnel]

This morning, more Blues...

 

[D4570]

I have not been in the mountains as of late but a month ago I did see a lot of grouse.
I went out by myself yesterday North of Great Falls to Dutton.
I hit a LOT of state sections 5 BMAs and even a WPA. Most had some water source Lots of grass cover and Butt loads of hoppers. Food, cover, and water. I know hunting one guy and no dog is a tuff hunt for sharptail but I put on MANY miles on foot mostly hunting Fetchers, fence lines, sunny slopes, and water. Not a sign of anything, not even a pheasant. No tracks, no droppings, not even a feather.
I saw one dove on a wire.
Going to be a tough year birding I think.
On a bright note, I did see a LOT of antelope most had Fawns, the bucks are in great looking shape and are claiming their areas. A lot more than I have seen in 8 years.

 

[exponentialpi]

7 days until I head there. Looking forward to finding some birds for the pup.

 

[MTGunner]

Three ruffs opening day. My lab was beside herself happy to hunt once again. MTG

 

[JimQ]

Found these beauties high on the mtn...my first since moving to Montana. Also saw the biggest whitetail buck of my life...great weekend

 

[Hunting Wife]

Man, wish the prairie grouse were as plentiful as the mountain grouse seem to be. I’m a little jealous!

 

[timber_hunter]

plucked, brined, and roasted. glazed in a huckleberry/gooseberry sauce, served with chanterelles and mashed potatoes.

 

[Deleted member 38069]

I have not been in the mountains as of late but a month ago I did see a lot of grouse.
I went out by myself yesterday North of Great Falls to Dutton.
I hit a LOT of state sections 5 BMAs and even a WPA. Most had some water source Lots of grass cover and Butt loads of hoppers. Food, cover, and water. I know hunting one guy and no dog is a tuff hunt for sharptail but I put on MANY miles on foot mostly hunting Fetchers, fence lines, sunny slopes, and water. Not a sign of anything, not even a pheasant. No tracks, no droppings, not even a feather.
I saw one dove on a wire.
Going to be a tough year birding I think.
On a bright note, I did see a LOT of antelope most had Fawns, the bucks are in great looking shape and are claiming their areas. A lot more than I have seen in 8 years.

No need to yell.

 

[Straight Arrow]

No need to yell.

It's Boomer of the USAF. The USAF launches those converters ... aircraft that convert JP jet fuel into NOISE!

 

[D4570]

No need to yell.

I can't hear well so I have to write large