While we were on vacation last week, the brown dawgs got out for a little grouse and woodcock hunting. Unfortunately, the birds were scarce. Each dog flushed a grouse and woodcock or two, but not in the kind of numbers we are used to seeing and there was no opportunity for a shot.
It may have been due the weather which was windy and damp for the first part of the week. Cold dry weather is much better for upland hunting. The clouds lifted and it turned colder toward the end of the week, but the dogs never got on many birds.
Still it was nice to get out in the forest to enjoy the Fall weather and to snap a few pictures.
On this particular day we went to an area the dogs have hunted before and had success. Unfortunately the DNR replaced a bridge a couple of years ago and since then there just hasn’t been many birds. Grouse populations cycle.
From the Ruffed Grouse Society:
Conditions are seldom static in the world of the Ruffed Grouse and their numbers fluctuate from year to year, and from decade to decade. Across most of their range in the northern states, Canada and Alaska, Ruffed Grouse numbers have risen and fallen in a somewhat predictable pattern for most of this century, in what is often called a “10-year cycle”. In the Lake States, for example, periods of abundance usually coincide with years ending in 0, 1 or 2, and the bottom of the depression in years ending with 5 or 6. This is not invariable, but a general, regional trend. These “cycles” sweep across the continent more or less as a wave, beginning in the far Northwest and Northeast, and progressing southward and southeastward.
We are coming off a high point and heading to the low so we are hoping the lack of birds in this area is due to the natural cycle and not due to a negative change in habitat.
Hunting grouse is really just a walk in the forest with your dog. We use any roads running through the area we are hunting as dividers so we can keep track of which areas we have covered.
You see you don’t normally stay on the road. You need to head off road to find birds.
Following the dog through the forest in search of birds is quite a workout for both dog and hunter. It is not the same as walking the road. You have to get though areas like this:
On this particular day we covered the area on one side of the road and then turned and covered the other area on the other side of the road.
Freighter had one flush in the area to the left and before the small bridge.
The sun was warming things up quickly so we made sure to stop for water a couple of times.
We covered about two miles according to my pedometer, but it was workout. Freighter covered more area than we did because he was working to find the birds. He worked hard. It is too bad the birds didn’t seem to be around.
We have heard that the woodcock haven’t migrated to our area yet. Timing is everything and sometimes you just are not hunting when the birds are around. The season closes November 3 and I am not sure the brown dawgs will get a chance at them before the season closes.
They hope to try for some grouse this weekend and maybe see if the wood ducks have migrated off the river. We will see.
Don’t forget to check out our review and give-away of Full Moon Chicken Jerky here. It is a nice healthy treat for the dogs after a workout.
Have a nice weekend!
Many thanks too SlimDoggy, MyGBGV Life, and To Dog with Love for the FitDog Friday Blog Hop!
Mom and Bailie are getting lots of exercise with tracking “off road”. Those grass/weed fields can really be challenging to get through, not to mention the unexpected holes and stuff. It looks nice and fall like at least out there. Hopefully the birds will show up next time.
Oh yes grass. We have that in the pheasant fields we hunt. I have learned to wear shoes that don’t tie because the grass always seems to untie them…lol. And the holes…I find all holes. It is a rule I think!
Looks like a nice way to go for a walk. I bet the dogs just love it. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
I’m impressed with Freighter’s ability to flush. I have to remind my kids sometimes. 😀
Hikes like that through the woods are certainly a good workout, plus a nice way to get a little nature in your life. The fall is starting to look pretty.
Those are some beautiful fall pictures! Looks like a fun workout!
It’s a beautiful place to be even if the birds didn’t show up in high numbers. I’m sure the dawgs enjoyed their outings too!
Cool pictures! Hunting sounds like a great time to spend together with your dawgs. And, even if you have a great day or bad day out, at least you have good company! 🙂
Beautiful walk and great exercise. Have a great weekend.
Looks like a very fun time!
Hope you find more birds next time!
I love those great workout short walks in the wood with varied terrain. Hopefully more birds soon!
Love the pictures! Hoping the brown dawgs find more birds the next time you’re out!
I hope you find some this weekend. I love walking through the forests – it really is a different sort of work out. Laika just goes along for the walk and I can tell a big difference in her demeanor afterwards – all the extra scents and different terrain wear both of us out.
So pretty! Especially the pond. Even you didn’t see many birds, it looks like a great outing. (Yes, hopefully it’s just a natural cycle.) Sure looks like a workout to walk off-road like that!
We wish the hunting had been better for you, but at least you got lots of fresh air, exercise, and some beautiful photos! I couldn’t find Freighter in that photo until I realized he had the orange collars on and then I found him. 🙂
Hi Y’all!
My Human, all the time, is saying “sometimes it isn’t meant to be”. Not sure what it means, but maybe you do.
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
We don’t really track off road since we don;t have that kind of environment within walking distance 😀 Human has a hard time tracking on normal road and avoiding stepping on the multitudes of snails that breed like rabbits when it rains!
Nice photos, and yeah Ruffed grouse hunting is ruff! They like the heavy brush and then when they flush, you only have a couple of seconds to get off a shot.