A Hard Earned Bird

[NCMTNHunter]

After a couple months of close calls and things just not shaking out our way me and Izzy were able to put it all together this morning. We’ve been able to find a good handful of birds this year but between wild flushes, thick cover, and me always seeming to be in a compromised position when the birds go up I haven’t fired a shot at a grouse this year. This one gave us everything we needed though. Even though it looked like he went down hard he was gone when I got to where he went down. Izzy tracked him about 80 yards and from the sound of things had a pretty good tussle with it for a second. I was relieved when I saw her bringing it back around the road to me.

 

[HermanMerman]

Pretty bird, but that is one beautiful dog.

 

[Nicodemus]

One of my dream hunts.

 

[cj580guitar]

Nice bird and good looking dog. A ruff grouse is on my bucket list. Maybe one day !!

 

[35 Whelen]

I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to hunt grouse in Pennsylvania when I was a teenager when there was a healthy population. Never hunted with a dog but was still able to flush a good many and killed a few.

 

[antharper]

Congrats , Izzy is as proud of that bird as you are

 

[jaydawg]

Very cool…congrats!

 

[NCMTNHunter]

Pretty bird, but that is one beautiful dog.

Ain’t she though? But I’m biased. Thanks!

 

[menhadenman]

Pretty cool - I hardly ever see them much less get a shot. Hope to have that experience with my pup one day.

 

[Grey Phase]

Way to go! Nothing quite like getting a grouse with your dog.

 

[NCHillbilly]

That's a rare thing nowadays, sadly. Beautiful bird and dog too. Looks like you had to go way up there to find him.

 

[redneck_billcollector]

I was up in NC earlier today and for the past few days camping and exploring and actually saw a number of grouse "gravelling" in the afternoons, I was pleasantly surprised at seeing them. I got me some earlier this year, but a good bit further north, Minnesota is ate up with them.

 

[Jake300win]

Nice congratulations

 

[NCMTNHunter]

That's a rare thing nowadays, sadly. Beautiful bird and dog too. Looks like you had to go way up there to find him.

Thanks! Not super high but getting there. I found these birds around 3600ft.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Thanks! Not super high but getting there. I found these birds around 3600ft.

Oh, OK, I thought I was seeing spruces.

 

[NCMTNHunter]

Oh, OK, I thought I was seeing spruces.

I’ll pay closer attention next time I’m in there but I think those are dead hemlocks.

 

[RLykens]

Man that's so awesome, congrats!

 

[NCMTNHunter]

Oh, OK, I thought I was seeing spruces.

You called it. I hunted in there again this evening and those are spruces. There are a few scattered out in there.

 

[Jake300win]

You called it. I hunted in there again this evening and those are spruces. There are a few scattered out in there.

Any birds today?

 

[NCMTNHunter]

Any birds today?

Flushed one and missed it. My shot trimmed some limbs though so it should be a little more open next time. lol. My nine year old son was with me and got to see it all though so that was big win!