Can almost smell it

[Junior]

The Upland Hunting season is right around the corner and I am sure everyone is getting excited! Let's hear what everyone's goal or planned upland hunting trip is for this season. I am looking forward to seeing my puppy GSP point and retrieve his first wild bird that I shoot for him. I have been training hard this summer and hope that everything works out this first season.

[RyanGSP]

I moved recently so all my plans went in the dumpster. Therefore the new plan is a successful Ruffed Grouse hunt with my GSP. Have tried once before with limited success.

[Jojoe]

I plan on walking out my front door and hiking down the logging road across the street :) Last week my labs flushed 3 on our hour hike. My older dog just about stepped on one (and kept running) that my pup winded and then flushed - it was really neet to watch. Too bad she isn't yet steady enough to take.

This will be my first season hunting upland.

Noob question, what time of day is best for hunting Sharpe Tail?

My goal? - fill my frying pan!

Cheers,

[Junior]

Ryan, don't worry once he figures out the ruffed grouse game it will be good times ahead. Ruffed Grouse are very difficult birds to point and it will take time and experience so be patient and keep on trying. Ruffed Grouse are my second favorite bird(Huns are now my favorite) to hunt because of the challenge for both the dog to point and I the shooter. I am not expecting much this season on Ruffed Grouse with my pup and know it will take two good seasons if not more for him to become an expert on southern ontario ruffed grouse. I am going to try and focus on woodcock primarily for the early part of the season since that will be much easier for him to point. I will work my way onto ruffed grouse as we run into them while woodcock hunting. Again, I can't wait to shoot my first hungarian and ruffed grouse behind the pup pointing!

[Junior]

JoJo,I never knew that there were sharptails in the parry sound area if that's where you are hunting them? I know they are further north in northern ontario as I have seen them while moose hunting. Out west where I hunt sharptails I have had good success in the early mornings and late afternoon since that is most of my hunting times for the early out west season since it has been so hot on the opening week. Maybe someone else with more experience on sharptails can answer this question.

[Jojoe]

After having flushed them last week, I inquired with a friend that hunts (deer and moose) locally and he suggested that they were sharp tail. In fact they could very well be Ruffed Grouse - gonna hafta take a couple and see.

[Jojoe]

First hunt (ever) for both Tucker and I. He flushed 3 birds - even put one up twice but the cedar & spruce stands were too thick to allow for a good shot. We were heading back to the jeep after our 2 1/2 hour hike (beautiful morning) - then it happened. Tucker flushed a 4th bird, Ruffed Grouse (not Sharp Tail) from the cover at the side of the path. It appeared to only fly about 20 feet over and about 30 feet up. I sat Tucker, approached slowly - shouldered the gun, clicked off the safety - BANG. I turned to see Tucker with his gaze locked on the fall - he collected to game on command and heeled in quite proud of himself.

The remainder of the hike back to the truck he was acting like a puppy again - ramped right up. He even flushed another bird - perhaps a woodcock - wings whistled when it flew and they were held at a definate angle as it flew -we followed it into the bush where Tucker flushed it again - it flew directly away from us, I was hoping to get a better look at it to help with identification...next time.

It may not be a frying pan full but you only get one 'first' bird.:bigrin

http://www.canadianhuntingdogs.com/forums/imagehosting/14748de5a32772bb.jpg

[Parabuteo]

I must admit that I am excited about the 08/09 season but I am not as keen as last year. I have the usual grouse hunts planned and my rabbit field has been wiped out by a large cat and coyotes.
As of today, I am still missing part of the hunting team(Artemis is STILL on the mend) but I am hoping that he will join us for the 08/09 season.

[just chessies]

First hunt (ever) for both Tucker and I. He flushed 3 birds - even put one up twice but the cedar & spruce stands were too thick to allow for a good shot. We were heading back to the jeep after our 2 1/2 hour hike (beautiful morning) - then it happened. Tucker flushed a 4th bird, Ruffed Grouse (not Sharp Tail) from the cover at the side of the path. It appeared to only fly about 20 feet over and about 30 feet up. I sat Tucker, approached slowly - shouldered the gun, clicked off the safety - BANG. I turned to see Tucker with his gaze locked on the fall - he collected to game on command and heeled in quite proud of himself.

The remainder of the hike back to the truck he was acting like a puppy again - ramped right up. He even flushed another bird - perhaps a woodcock - wings whistled when it flew and they were held at a definate angle as it flew -we followed it into the bush where Tucker flushed it again - it flew directly away from us, I was hoping to get a better look at it to help with identification...next time.

It may not be a frying pan full but you only get one 'first' bird.:bigrin

http://www.canadianhuntingdogs.com/forums/imagehosting/14748de5a32772bb.jpgRon that picture is a wall hanger. The first hunt has the best memories Beautiful picture of Tucker and his first field hunt :nice work:

[Junior]

Congratulations, your first wild bird over any dog is something to treasure for a long time!