Wyoming 2015

[Foxtrot1]

With the looming decision over sagegrouse being listed and seasons getting shorter and shorter, I decided to cash my pronghorn points in last year for a combo hunt. I loaded up the truck with bird dogs, shotgun, rifle, fishing gear, and headed out for 2 weeks on the North Platte River. My brothers followed me out and stayed to fish for the first week. It was their first trip to WY. My oldest brother shot a double of sage grouse over my dogs one day and I got one the next. He would also borrow my weim to shoot a limit of rabbits over while I cooked dinner in the evenings. It turned out to be a great trip. I really tried to treat this as more of a vacation than a die hard hunting trip. I ended up shooting an older crusty buck after several days then went back to bird hunting and fishing. The bird hunting was kinda hit or miss. It was over 90 degrees every day and the poor dogs suffered. But one of the most amazing things I have ever watched was my dogs pinning a big group of birds a hundred yards out in front of me then the birds flushing in waves when I got up there. Pretty neat sound when those big guys get up. I shot a mature male one day, but his fan was full of pin feathers. I really wanted a male to get mounted. If Randall draws this year, I think I'll go out with the girls again to fish and bird hunt. Hope you guys enjoy the photos.

 

[Southern Elk]

Congrats! Thanks for sharing.

 

[1_pointer]

Well done!! Sage grouse are my favorite bird to hunt. Love knocking down those big bombers.

 

[NoWiser]

Wow, that looks like a great way to spend a couple of weeks!!

 

[jnagel32]

Looks like a great trip! Planning on making my first trip out to hunt WY this October. I hope it turns out half as decent as yours!

 

[jtm307]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

 

[maxx]

Looks like a great trip!

 

[cornfed]

Now that looks like a relaxing fun hunt.

 

[Walkathon]

Great pictures- thanks for posting them

 

[johnp]

Fur, fin , feather and horn . What more could a person want !!!

 

[7mm08mo]

Very nice, looks like a grand adventure. Thank you for sharing. Dad saw some sage grouse while hunting this fall in Wyoming, but we didn't know about seasons so he let them go.

 

[treedagain]

Way cool pics....looks like you had quite the adventure. I bet those dogs loved a cool swim in the evenings.

 

[HighDesertSage]

Very cool looks like you guys had a great time.

 

[Foxtrot1]

Looks like a great trip! Planning on making my first trip out to hunt WY this October. I hope it turns out half as decent as yours!

If you have time look into renting a drift boat to float/fish. Lots of options around Casper if you are gonna be passing thru. I found them for $70-100/day. Some of the best money I've spent on the scenery alone.

 

[Foxtrot1]

Way cool pics....looks like you had quite the adventure. I bet those dogs loved a cool swim in the evenings.

Yep. I swear both of them tried to get in the river and then jump on my cot every day. They both had the time of their lives.

 

[mdunc8]

I can't imagine a better trip.

 

[Trigger50]

Nice story. Thanks

 

[Duck-Slayer]

That is a true adventure right there.... congrats,
Matt

 

[Nameless Range]

Looks like a great trip.

How did you cook the Sage Grouse and were they good?

 

[Foxtrot1]

How did you cook the Sage Grouse and were they good?

It was hot so I field dressed the birds fairly quickly. Lets just say that sage grouse entrails have a very unique scent. I was not so sure about how they were gonna be on the table. That said, I filleted the breast and marinated them in a mixture of Italian dressing and soy sauce, wrapped in bacon, and grilled them. They were excellent. We had a mixed dinner of antelope tenderloin, sage grouse, and goose breast chunks. My group is pretty picky and the sage grouse was rated right up there with the antelope tenderloin. Its very delicate textured, so be sure not to overcook it.