It’s been some time now since Garrett and I found ourselves in the midst of a week-long road trip back in October, but the memory of my first double is still fresh in my mind. I can still relive it in my mind from the moment the dog picked up bird scent to the high-fives among friends once it was all said and done. While grouse season is not officially over in Minnesota, ’tis still the season to take a look back on another memorable season in the grouse woods. [Read more…]
We went to the in-laws in Fargo for Thanksgiving and fortunately, that also meant that I got to go pheasant hunting for a couple days after the holiday. We made the four hour drive after work Wednesday night. This led the dogs to be cooped up for the majority of Wednesday night so my father in law, Curt and I took my two shorthairs and his lab for a walk late Thursday morning. [Read more…]
Seasons come and go like clockwork, just as the whitetail deer season does in Minnesota. The anticipation of spending time in the stand in November is exhilarating. This is a time when absolutely anything can happen at any given time. This is what drives us to get up early in the morning, put on every piece of clothing you own, grab your rifle, and sit long hours in the stand. [Read more…]
November is here in Minnesota and the chilling bite I feel each time I step outside kindly reminds me. Not that I needed any reminders of course, not on the eve of THE unofficial Minnesota state holiday. Yes, the time of year when school closings are still common in rural areas and business meetings are politely scheduled around the first week of the season. A time when Minnesotans unite in celebration of tradition and of the hunt. A time when almost half a million of us take to the woods on the very same day. For myself, it is a special time of year indeed, one in which I unite with my fellow brothers and sisters in pursuit of, not only the whitetail deer, but also a deeper connection with nature made possible through the hunt which drives our passion. [Read more…]
Growing up in Duluth, I’ve been a reader of Sam Cook’s outdoor writings since I was just a boy, fascinated by all things great outdoors. I can vividly remember many times I tore apart the paper in search of the only thing worthy of my concern at the time, Sam Cook’s column in the outdoors section. [Read more…]
Along with another weekend of October grouse and woodcock hunting in the books comes another few days of time well spent in the woods as well as new memories to reflect on in the off-season. Last weekend’s memories include a couple of bloopers including a beautiful point from young setter on a triple of grouse as well as an uncanny reenactment of an incident that I never thought could be repeated. [Read more…]
This trip had a different feel to it from the beginning. My dad and I typically go up to our shack and hunt together. He was out in North Dakota pheasant hunting so I made the three-hour drive by myself. This was a great opportunity for me to catch up with a few friends and enjoy some tunes. I arrived at the shack Thursday night and was greeted by some friends that were already up working on deer stands. They had a nice fire going and the shack was nice and warm. We sat around the fire for a couple of hours enjoying whiskey and cigars. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend an evening in the woods, far away from city lights. [Read more…]
Last week, a great article was released in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about a Minnesota-based breeder of English Setters and Pointers. It just so happens to be the breeder that I took my pup home from earlier this year. If you’ve been reading my posts throughout the last few months, like this one, you’d know that I’ve been very happy with my young pup and the progress he’s shown as a bird dog. I believe the article highlights many of the reasons that have made Jerry and Betsy so successful as breeders. I’ve said it before but I won’t hesitate to say it again, if you’re looking for an English Setter or Pointer, I highly recommend taking a look at their kennel by going to northwoodsbirddogs.com. Not only are they producing fantastic bird dogs, but they run a first class operation and my wife and I were treated like long-time friends as opposed to first-time customers from start to finish.
Regardless, it’s another great article by Dennis Anderson and it’s very timely as we enjoy the spoils of October grouse hunting. Check it out at the link below:
In Pursuit Of The Perfect Bird Dog
Northwoods’R: NL
What should you expect from a four-month old english setter? I’m not exactly sure, but what I can tell you is that I could not ask anything more of my pup after a full month of grouse and woodcock season. Given that he is my first bird dog, my experience is quite limited. That being said, his apparent natural ability, along with his progression from the beginning of the season until now, combine to make me one very proud puppy handler! [Read more…]
Well, it’s absolutely safe to say that October kicked off with a BANG, pun intended, especially for this half of the Northwoods’R crew. Last weekend, I spent a total of three days in the woods, two of them in the far Northern reaches of Minnesota with a good friend of mine and one of them in my usual stomping grounds closer to Duluth. During the three-day period I flushed over 35 grouse and 22 woodcock and I was fortunate enough to bag a few of each to ensure some tasty meals the following week! [Read more…]