Storm and Freighter got out to do some grouse and woodcock hunting last week.

Hunting these birds can be a challenge.  The dogs must use their noses to try to find small birds in a big forest.  It is also physically demanding.  The dogs (and humans) must navigate through heavily wooded areas.

Sometimes they must step over downed trees.

We have been hunting Storm and Freighter together as a brace this year.  Freighter is older now and less inclined to just want to chase and play with Storm.  When you are hunting two dogs in heavy cover, it can be a challenge because sometimes one dog goes one way and the other in the opposite direction, but Freighter has been good about staying close.

At various times it seemed like one of the dogs was on a bird and we stopped and waited as they used their noses to hunt around.

We did not come across a single bird while hunting this area, even though the dogs worked hard.  We did come across a bow-hunters deer blind.  We stayed out of the area immediately around the blind even though the hunter was not there.

The temperature was in the mid-50’s but it was bright and sunny and the dogs heated up as they worked.  We stopped a couple of times in the shade for water and to cool down.

Grouse numbers run in cycles and we are coming off a low cycle so theoretically there should be more birds.  So far we have not found that to be true.  We had a very wet Spring and that may have affected the hatch so the numbers are not where they should be.  Or we just have not found the right area.

In an effort to find the “right” area, hubby took Storm out alone to a different spot.  They were hunting a steep ridge so I did not go along for pictures.  I sent the camera with hubby instead.

Storm worked and worked.

Unfortunately they only flushed one woodcock and hubby did not shoot at it.

Oh well it was a good workout and while the dogs would love to get birds every time, they just like to get out and work!