Hi All - I've been on this board a ton learning and researching this fall but haven't introduced myself. I'm a new bird hunter this year. My kids are past the toddler stage so I wanted to get back into hunting. I've done some casual hunting in the past but this year decided to give it more time and energy. We have some family land in Northern WI so I also wanted to get into grouse hunting as well. I dusted off my 870 shotgun and practiced a few rounds of sporting clays, bought a great upland jacket at the Columbia outlet store ($60 for a Ptarmigan shell - awesome waterproof shell by the way. You can layer it to fit any temperature) We have a family dog that was neither bred or trained for hunting. I decided to see what she could do before committing to a new dog. Stellas a golden/poodle mix. I know. No laughing!. I got her used to gunfire this summer and she has a really great drive and instinct. We tried some early Oct weekends hunting grouse. Flushed and missed a few. Those things move double the speed of pheasants! Next year we'll go more often. Hunted public areas near my house in Southern WI about 25 times this year. Stellas flushed quite a few and we ended up knocking down about 8 total. We'll try a few more times before season closes. She has really developed a love for hunting. She whines at me every morning about 5 AM with look of "Are we hunting today?" Her eyes are on me all morning watching my every move.
A couple weeks ago I shot a pheasant and it landed about 30 yards out into a pond at Jefferson Marsh. I thought the bird was gone. She jumped in and brought the bird back to hand. I was impressed considering we never worked on water retrieves. She still ranges out too far at times hunting more for herself than me but I'll be purchasing an e collar and working on that after the season. Thanks to all on this board. This is the best bird hunting site on the web. I've learned more about gear/guns/training/technique that I could ever imagine. More valuable than any book on hunting. I need to upgrade some of my gear. My Walmart Wolverine boots aren't keeping my feet real dry. I like my gun but its a little heavy for the grouse woods. Looking at the Franchi Instinct SL for next year.
A couple weeks ago I shot a pheasant and it landed about 30 yards out into a pond at Jefferson Marsh. I thought the bird was gone. She jumped in and brought the bird back to hand. I was impressed considering we never worked on water retrieves. She still ranges out too far at times hunting more for herself than me but I'll be purchasing an e collar and working on that after the season. Thanks to all on this board. This is the best bird hunting site on the web. I've learned more about gear/guns/training/technique that I could ever imagine. More valuable than any book on hunting. I need to upgrade some of my gear. My Walmart Wolverine boots aren't keeping my feet real dry. I like my gun but its a little heavy for the grouse woods. Looking at the Franchi Instinct SL for next year.
