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!!! 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.
 
carptom1 said:
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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Many years, many decades don’t necessarily equate to meaningful and enjoyable relationships, familial or otherwise…ideally those years could have been great, even good…meh.
 
benelli-banger said:
Many years, many decades don’t necessarily equate to meaningful and enjoyable relationships, familial or otherwise…ideally those years could have been great, even good…meh.
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My dad was very flawed, and pretty much a total ass, but I hunted with him for 40 years, and I still bring his old gun out every once in awhile and think about him, and our times out in the prairies of Montana.
 
Overall I'd say grouse were average abundance at best. This was my first true opener, and I couldn't believe how spooky they were...no better than week 3-4 of the season. We did hear that there was a lot of professional dog training going on this summer in the area, but I didn't think they could do that on trust land?

I had my limit after 5 days. Average 10 miles per day. My PP really excelled this year, probably the best work he's ever done.

Lots of video to edit.
 

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Just got back to van, 7 miles…about 3 hours, a bit more. Hiked into a WPA..saw about 15 birds, killed 2 with my Parker Repro 28 gauge…love that gun! I’d say #’s are down from last year…my buddy ‘s aren’t back to their truck, they had 3 between them…probably picked up another on walk back, big walk. Fair # of hunters…wet but cool weather, cool vs what it can be this time of year. My 6.5 year old female did something to a front shoulder, she’s on IR. Hope she heals up before 9/24, coming back 9/23. Fun hunting with 8 month old…coming along really well!!! See progress each day…today is day 6…she’s gotten great experience this trip…Good luck!👍
 
Breasted 5 this am and marinated in zesty Italian all day, grilled them with Montreal seasoning and served with Korean noodles that had cream cheese folded in, as well as grilled Texas toast. The birds were this years…had some creamy horseradish sauce and a sweet/sour bbcue sauce. Gluttonous! Tender like filet mignon…but better!! All the other connected motel units vacated…we have kitchens and tables and grills in the backyard…quiet nite, quite sublime…☀️
 
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