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Mountain Grouse Haven

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 11:13:39 GMT

Columbia sharptail grouse are a covey bird weighing only a pound and a half - the same size as a ruffed grouse, but only half the size of the dusky grouse. A big male dusky grouse will go over three pounds. Dusky grouse occur throughout the Rocky Mountains, but Columbia shaprtail grouse only occur in certain remote and often difficult to access locals. While other regions of the country struggle to reclaim habitat for the Columbia sharptail grouse, I have discovered a place where this rare game bird is thriving. It just so happens that there are also very strong numbers of dusky grouse here as well. I can’t think of a more productive and beautiful place I’d rather be in September with my spaniels, pursuing the sporting life in the uplands and carrying a double gun. I have coined this place “Mountain Grouse Haven”.

Rosebud Indian Reservation Upland Bird Hunting Report

Scott Winston — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 10:06:32 GMT

South central South Dakota is one of a few places where two species of prairie grouse, prairie chickens and shaptail grouse, overlap in their range. Rivers like the Missouri and the White carve through the prairie breaking up the monotony of the country and provide ideal habitat for these two prairie grouse species.

Prairie Chickens on Tribal Ground

Scott Winston — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 20:19:58 GMT

A covey rise of prairie chickens flushing fast, chuckling and flashing their fanned tail feathers is a wild western wing shooting adventure for sure.

The Modern History of the 16 Gauge

Bill Hanus — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 20:26:59 GMT

A modern history of the 16 gauge begins here ... with the story of how Bill Hicks & Co. brought an all new Browning 16 gauge over/under back to American birdgunners. The Browning Story Several years ago, Bill Hicks & Co. brought back the 16 gauge Browning in two production runs, totaling 1,500 over/unders. They were "non-catalog" guns made (but not sold) by Browning.

Quail Hunting - Then and Now

Tony Kinton — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:47:11 GMT

Few sounds are more haunting than the bobwhite’s call at sunset. Haunting, but endearing, comforting. These last two emotions are likely by-products of my childhood, when this grandest of all game birds could be heard with great frequency across the countryside that was home.

Essential Gear For Traveling With Your Bird Dog

Jerry Thoms — Sun, 14 May 2006 20:36:59 GMT

“A trio of dog crates; a couple big bags of dog food, and two five-gallon cans of water along with a half dozen bottles, flasks, jugs, and dishes; leads, leashes, and check cords; tie-out stakes and stake-out chains; remote training collars and bark-control collars; dog vests and dog boots; a canine first-aid kit; bells and beeper collars; identification collars in several colors; retrieving dummies; chewing devices; and a bag marked ‘Miscellaneous Dog Gear.’ -- All this stuff looks like you’re starting your own gun dog supply catalog instead of going on a five-day pheasant and waterfowl hunt, “My hunting partner decided after a quick inventory of the dog gear we were loading into the back of his pickup.”

Tracking Collar Reviews

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 19:40:47 GMT

There are many types of dog tracking collars on the market today. These collars include manufacturers such as Tracker, Innotek, Marshall Radio Systems, Quick Track, and Wildlife Materials. In this article, I would like to help clear up some of the terminology and concepts associated with choosing the right dog tracking collar for your needs.

Gun Shy Dogs

Bill Tarrant — Sun, 16 May 2004 21:20:02 GMT

That chunk of chain you’ve got staked under the shade trees so Pup won’t get too hot - well, leave it there. That chain will also help us cure the bird-shy, gun-shyness, man-shy, and cover-shy dog.

Early October Hare Hunt

Carl Aresco — Tue, 16 Mar 2004 21:30:44 GMT

This was my second year in a row going Snow Shoe Hare hunting in Northern Maine in October. Previously, I had gone on a three-day hare hunt in Northwestern New York State in minus five-degree weather where the hounds had a difficult time trying to run. I found it to be a big ice patch, and the weather was dry and cold.

Counting Crows

R. Michael DiLullo — Mon, 27 Oct 2003 21:30:56 GMT

"Crow hunting? What do you do with crows?", was my initial response to my first invitation to shoot crows. "Nuthin", said my farmer friend, "Its good practice for ducks and it keeps them out of the crops". He continued, “Besides, it’s a whole lotta fun!” I had read a few articles and have seen crow calls, electric callers and crow decoys in catalogues, but had never given much thought to the idea of actually hunting them. Before this the only thing I had ever used a crow call for was as a locator call for spring gobblers.

Gun Dogs and Land Trapping

Carl Altenbernd — Mon, 28 Jul 2003 16:10:29 GMT

Land trapping is one of the most misunderstood sports practiced in the field today. It has been an easy target for the animal-rights groups thanks to myths and misunderstandings. As a dog owner, you should be aware of the basics of trapping. The snare, conibear, and leghold traps are not dangerous nor a threat to you or your dog. A controlled sport that ensures no endangered species are caught, trapping is an essential and necessary tool for the proper management of furbearers and predators.

Chejudo Roosters

R. Michael DiLullo — Mon, 08 Apr 2002 16:55:08 GMT

The rising sun gleamed brightly off the unbroken rows of frost covered cabbages as we climbed into the warm cab of the idling pick-up truck. The pre-dawn temperature was in the mid-twenties, but the combination of a light wind and the sea air made it feel twice as cold. At the wheel sat Mr. Kim, our guide for two days of pheasant hunting on Chejudo Island, in The Republic of South Korea.

Shooting Preserves

R. Michael DiLullo — Tue, 05 Mar 2002 06:46:29 GMT

Shooting preserves offer wingshooters and gundog owners many advantages; like the chance to pursue game birds well before and long after the regular gunning seasons. In heavily populated areas, they also allow hunters to escape the crowds, but their best benefit could be for your dog.

Late Season

R. Michael DiLullo — Fri, 08 Feb 2002 06:17:10 GMT

Whether it is in frozen corn stubble chasing pheasants, snow covered conifers in search of grouse or some small hole of open water in a frozen landscape awaiting the last waterfowl of the season; late season hunting can be very productive if you are prepared to brave the elements.

A Rough Shooting Spaniel

R. Michael DiLullo — Fri, 09 Nov 2001 09:16:14 GMT

“Dear to me for his stout heart, faith in me, and an absorbing devotion to the gun.” This line from Nash Buckingham’s essay “Not Unsung” in his classic book “Tattered Coat” about his Springer “Chub,” has for me, always summed-up the essence of the English springer spaniel.

Keeping Your Dog Cool

R. Michael DiLullo — Mon, 08 Oct 2001 21:41:42 GMT

Keeping your hunting dog cool and hydrated, especially during late summer training and the early portion of the hunting season, means recognizing the signs of heat-related illnesses, knowing how to prevent them and what to do if your dog succumbs.

Woodcock Memories

R. Michael DiLullo — Mon, 08 Oct 2001 08:18:07 GMT

As late September days become shorter and cool evenings awaken to vibrant blue skies with sugar maples beginning to blush crimson and as the beeches turn to gold, my spirit seems to be revitalized once more. Maybe it is a calling somewhere deep in my primeval memory to prepare for the coming winter. Or maybe it is because I am acutely aware of the approaching hunting season, of the adventures which lie ahead and the beauty of nature that awaits outside the confines of my four walls. Autumn, after all, is a glorious season and a time of reflection.