NW ND prairie bird count dropped significantly

Drove 80 miles into heart of oil country to avoid rain…saw 9 and got 1 in first field, drove 5 miles and hunted school land that usually produces…running streams in the pasture! Saw 20 or so, like the first field it was long distance birdwatching, managed to get 2. AYA 4/53 20 gauge is a wand, not sure why I have so many guns! Should use this almost exclusively on the prairie…rarely fails me! I fail her sometimes…
 
Took my almost 8 month old pup out solo
today…missed the first grouse that flushed in range…doh! Got a hun shortly thereafter, Merle hunted it down in some tall green grass on a fenceline…she was transfixed in one area…but no bird! Til she stuck her head into a hole and pulled it out! Quite lively, killed 2 grouse over her as well, I have a bona fide hunting dog! She’s doing great. We’re done for the day…beautiful out! Great seeing the sun! We just reflected on the 2 pastures we hunted, we moved around 80-90 grouse…funny that we contacted a sizable covey almost back at the vehicles that we just left an hour ago. I no longer rue the day when they get away…I have much respect and reverence for these birds!!! We were done anyway, but my first covey contact was a shit show, but I’m a bad dog handler…my fault. Good to be alive, able to traipse the prairie, share it with good friends, furry and otherwise! Thinking about my dad who passed 9/3/25 at 95.5….got me into this…not a perfect man, haven’t cried yet, nor will I…but thinking about him. Good stuff….🍻
 
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benelli-banger said:
Took my almost 8 month old pup out solo
today…missed the first grouse that flushed in range…doh! Got a hun shortly thereafter, Merle hunted it down in some tall green grass on a fenceline…she was transfixed in one area…but no bird! Til she stuck her head into a hole and pulled it out! Quite lively, killed 2 grouse over her as well, I have a bona fide hunting dog! She’s doing great. We’re done for the day…beautiful out! Great seeing the sun! We just reflected on the 2 pastures we hunted, we moved around 80-90 grouse…funny that we contacted a sizable covey almost back at the vehicles that we just left an hour ago. I no longer rue the day when they get away…I have much respect and reverence for these birds!!! We were done anyway, but my first covey contact was a shit show, but I’m a bad dog handler…my fault. Good to be alive, able to traipse the prairie, share it with good friends, furry and otherwise! Thinking about my dad who passed 9/3/25 at 95.5….got me into this…not a perfect man, haven’t cried yet, nor will I…but thinking about him. Good stuff….🍻
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Man you had a long time with him… unfortunately I only had five years to hunt with my father before he died in 83. He definitely planted the seed before he left. I think of him often when I get out, especially when my boys can go with me. I have tried to honor him by keeping it alive in them, but I’m afraid it might die with me. Glad you’re getting into some birds. I will be making the long journey a month from today.
 
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