New Here From NW CO

[TheGreek]

New to the forum from NW CO. I’ve said this is the year of the bird in which I am gonna spend even less time big game hunting and more time chasing grouse and ducks.

Highlights from last fall included Sage grouse and dusky grouse here in NW CO:




Sharptail Grouse in ND:
The King and Woodcock in MN:



And a few ducks here at home:


We are headed back to ND for a Sharptail/duck combo hunt in early October of this year and I have plans on getting on sharptails, sage and dusky grouse here in NW CO as well as ducks and geese.

And to help, I brought this little guy home last weekend. First gun dog for me. We are smitten.

 

[M. R. Byrd]

Welcome. Thanks for sharing the photos.

 

[LC Smith]

Welcome and congrats on the pup! What is the story on that SxS? That is a nice looking stick of wood on that old pump as well.

 

[TheGreek]

Welcome and congrats on the pup! What is the story on that SxS? That is a nice looking stick of wood on that old pump as well.

The side by side is a Fox Sterlingworth in 20 gauge. A Philadelphia gun with a date of manufacture of 1914. A “ratter” per my uncle who gifted it to me, but it means a lot to me and it’s my go to gun for upper Midwest ruffed grouse and woodcock. It’s choked cylinder and skeet which is just about perfect for tight cover ruffed grouse in my mind. Here’s a better picture of it:

As of the old pump gun, it’s a Model 12 Winchester in 16 gauge choked modified. Another gift from my favorite uncle who introduced me to shooting sports and wing shooting from a young age. It has become my go to for western grouse.

Here’s an another picture of it along with some wild quail I managed to take in central IL when I was living in Chicago.

 

[birddude]

Welcome and nice guns!

 

[LC Smith]

Those are a great looking pair.