Long Overdue Season in Review – 2016

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It has been a long time since I’ve provided a meaningful update on the blog.  There has been a lot going on and life gets busy but I’d like to think I’ve been busy having fun and doing the things I love, which I have.  On top of that, our computer broke down and I haven’t been able to download and access any of my pictures.

The fact is, hunting season gets so busy and I’m finding that it is hard to dedicate time to writing.   Below is a photo journal and descriptions of my favorite memories from the 2016 season.

Opening weekend was hot but we hit the woods and I was able to put one grouse in the game bag.  Woodcock season wasn’t open yet but the dogs found plenty.

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2016 Annual Report: Grouse & Woodcock Season

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With the season closed, I finally got around to entering the last of my field days into my spreadsheet. As a result, I’ve put together my final days in the field, hours hunted and flush count numbers to share on the blog. 2016 felt like a decent year to me and the numbers have come to show that it in fact was a good year. Improvements across all major statistics categories indicate more birds in the woods and more productive hunts for me. [Read more…]

Happy New Year

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With ruffed grouse seasons finally coming to a close here in Minnesota and Wisconsin, I have now begun the annual reflection period and will inevitably begin looking ahead to next year. The late season hunting was ok this year aside from a few cold snaps and an unusual thaw that left the woods covered in ice, however once the snow covers up the ground, grouse hunting just isn’t the same for me. [Read more…]

Upland Lowlife Grouse Camp – Photo Journal

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A week ago today, the Northwoods’R crew was in Michigan on a long awaited trip to the grouse camp of none other than THE, Upland Lowlife, Jason Dowd (@upland_lowlife). We were joined by a cast of characters that included Sam Glasbergen (@the__royal__flush), Matt Mates (@northbound_gundogs), Dave Veldman (@sportdogphoto), Charley Perkins, Scott McEnaney and Reid Bryant of the Orvis Company, as well as A.J. DeRosa and Kyle Potten of Project Upland (@project_upland). Needless to say it was a bit of a “production” if you will, but we pulled it off, all thanks to Jay Dowd and great time was had by all. [Read more…]

Training Bird Dogs At Pineridge Grouse Camp

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As I pull off the gravel road and onto the driveway, I slow-roll past a familiar mailbox and a smile creeps over my face. I continue on by an “English Setter Crossing” sign and I like to think Hartley, my two-year old setter, is also smiling behind me in his crate. I follow the driveway that separates a beautiful piece of forested bird cover on my left to the open grassy training fields on my right. Eventually the truck is parked and we have arrived, this is Pineridge Grouse Camp. [Read more…]

Upland Bird Hunting Pre-Season Checklist

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Today is September 1st, which for many of you is a month you have been waiting for since the beginning of the year. Garrett and I include ourselves in that group of people and you can bet we are as excited as anybody to ring in the 2016 upland bird season. It’s almost time to put all the planning and dreaming you’ve done in the off season into action, but before you do, here’s a list of things you’ll want to check off your list first. [Read more…]

Spring Grouse And Woodcock Season

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After a bit of an extended hiatus on the blog, Hartley and I are back with a spring update! First off, I wanted to mention that over the last year, the number of subscribers to our blog has grown significantly which has been awesome! On the flip side of that, I often feel bad not delivering more regular updates, but we do our best to keep in touch via other social media outlets. My full-time gig with the Ruffed Grouse Society has definitely kept me busy during the spring banquet season which will continue into the month of May. I’ve already met many followers of Northwoodsr at my events and I hope to meet many more! [Read more…]

Michigan Ruffed Grouse

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The first time I met Jay, I was pulling into the driveway of his Michigan cabin.  He walked up to the truck with his two setters, Ruthie and Georgie, bourbon in his glass, and an unforgettable smile on his face.  The campfire in the background was surrounded by a handful of other grouse hunters. [Read more…]

Project Upland: Grouse Hunting Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

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As the title of this post suggests, today I want to highlight a unique project that ties together both my love and passion for the sport of grouse and woodcock hunting, as well as my “day-job,” working for the Ruffed Grouse Society as a Regional Director. What I’m referring to is a video series produced by A.j. DeRosa and the crew at Dangerous Cow Publishing, known as ‘Project Upland’. [Read more…]