16ga.com ~ View topic

OldCol2,

We have many days like that before we introduce gun fire to our young dogs, none of it is wasted time, in fact it is pretty darn nice and very worth while.

Forgeting a gun is definitely not cool however, especially during hunting season.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1455 Location: Denver, Colorado

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1455 Location: Denver, Colorado

The adventure begins tomorrow...

In the end it was 2 16s, 2 12s and one 28/.410

Lloyd3,

Have fun and be safe!

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1455 Location: Denver, Colorado

Arrived alive.

It'll take awhile to unload everything, the frozen and refrigerated stuff is now stable, the rest...that'll take a while.

It's good to be "up Nort" again. The opener is the 14th, I'll be ready.

Lloyd3,

Still have a couple week left before I head north, still getting ready to go!
Have a great time and be safe.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1455 Location: Denver, Colorado

After some basic chores get done here (camp, boat & vehicle service work), I will likely go into the forest today to see how things look at some of my favorite coverts.

Logging is the inevitable conclusion for each one in succession as the cover matures (it's the local industry BTW and... it's how Minnesota pays its bills). It used to bother me a bit, but after seeing the process at work over several seasons, I'm somewhat getting used to it (I mourn a covert first & then I wait). The harvest of mature trees is necessary to maintain the successional forest cover that ruffed grouse need to thrive up here. It's shocking to see how quickly a covert recovers to become a productive location again. Within a few seasons, a logged-over section will have enough new growth to support fresh broods of birds.

I'm hoping to see some "old friends" and also to make a few new acquaintances today. After that, I will need to bide my time for the next week, likely with a fishing pole in my hands. Lots of long evening walks planned as well.

Man I hate losing covers, whether to logging or development. So far, I haven’t lost my favorite, though they logged next to it which seemed to change the bird behavior a bit.

I had one that I had always passed by for some reason, 5 miles in on a logging road. Only area I have flushed a grouse from tall grass. At some point I walked in following up a bird from the road and found a rather large patch of kinnick-kinnick berries that were hidden from the road, all about waist high. I found a skidder trail in the middle and walked it. Birds flushed every few yards offering me wide open shots. I found an old Sapphire oil can so that became its name. I was only able to enjoy it for 2 or 3 seasons before it got logged, and they left the slash on my skidder trail. I’m still mad about it…but I get it, it pays someone’s bills. I’ll check on it next season and see how it’s coming after 3 years of growth. I regret all those years I passed by it, not realizing the jewel that it was.

Work will keep me away from it this season, so please keep us informed on your adventures. Will have to hunt vicariously through your posts!

Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 372

This vote is TOO IMPORTATE for the country.

Tae the two 16's and then the waterfowling 12 with proper shot.

Good Luck and Happy trails!

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1455 Location: Denver, Colorado

I agree, the vote is very important. I just don't think that at this point, many folks are undecided. How could you not be?

I bought a flag today and put it up at the camp. I'm hearing that if you're flying a flag, everybody knows who you're voting for.

FWIW: I saw my first ruffed grouse today, while walking the rural road in front of the house this evening. A bigger bird, so not what I'd hoped to see, but what the heck? Still fun to see one and I actually got fairly close, a mixed phase bird. I clucked at it a bit and it flew across the road in front of me.

Joined: 30 Sep 2019 Posts: 165 Location: Colorado

Thanks for this annual chronicle.

Remedying my failure to thank you.

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1455 Location: Denver, Colorado

You are most welcome Sir.

Walking every morning and then again in the evening (still trying to get over that "recovery" hump). After working on the old Ford truck for the last two days (a complete [& long-overdue!] fluid service & lube, followed with a somewhat less-than 1st rate {proper materials up here are somewhat limited} hand-wash & wax), I then baptised it with a trip into the forest to get some dirt and dust over it's newly rehabilitated paint and driveline. Went deeply into the wilderness and confirmed the overall state of things there (wild, still-very buggy[!], mostly empty & beautiful, as always). The colors are just starting to turn. I even saw the local "pet" bird again upon my return at dusk

During my now very-late evening walk, I encountered my nearby-neighbor lady taking out her trash for the Monday morning pick-up (we are thankfully aligned in both our cuisine tendencies and our politics) and she offered me the free-run of her wonderful tomato patch yet again (it's always good policy to share a bit of elk steak when you can). I had to pick my "dinner" in the dark last night (thank goodness for cell phones w/flashlights).

What is it about home-raised tomatoes? I had a very large and ripe one for my main-course last night and it was truly spectacular(!). Couldn't tell you it's name or even the specific variety, but...I've never gotten a store-bought tomato to even come close to the taste and big flavors of the homegrowns here, especially the large, meaty heirlooms. I made a BLT for the ages (w/lots of bacon and Jarlsberg swiss) and washed it all down with a nice, dry Italian Pinot Grigio.

The opener is Saturday, & I swear...I'll be ready.

Lloyd3,

Thanks for some Great posts, you definitely have your head screw on straight!

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Joined: 07 Jun 2012 Posts: 27 Location: Billings MT

Already been to grouse camp and back. I did pack something that I haven't included in my last 40 years of hunting in the Pryors. Myself and the boys all carried pistols (40 cal and above) because of reports of grizzly bears.