Hunting Thread

Well I finally bought a new gun. An SKB 690 20 gauge with 26" barrels. Swings like a dream for me but the pull was too short. I added a limbsaver 1" recoil pad and now it fits perfect. Like too perfect. I can't wait to pattern it. I'm keeping the 870 for ducks in lakes, pheasants in big fields, and geese.
As an aside I finally got my red setter out on grouse in the thick northern Minnesota woods. The first time out was hot and no grouse were flushed. He also ran too big. The 2nd time he bumped one, still running a little too far out. I could have taken a really bad shot... But why. The third time he bumped 3, and then pointed 2 literally 5 feet from me. It was right at the end of the day. I couldn't see them and I turned away as they flushed, I'm an idiot. Hopefully it won't cost me. I'm going to try to get back out this weekend and get another 10 hours over him and some time with the new gun.

Deer hunting is off the table this year but I'm already set up for next year.

It's amazing how many hunters have no clue about merino wool long underwear and socks. They are life changing. I'm all honesty my medium weight wool long sleeve shirt is my favorite clothing purchase of all time.

You can buy wool stuff lots of places. https://www.sierra.com/smartwool-bright-orange-merino-250-base-layer-top-merino-wool-long-sleeve-for-men~p~712ga/?filterString=s~merino-wool-long-underwear/&merch=prod-rec-prod-prod712GA

This is similar to mine. Mine fits snug. It might be smart to start with socks to check if it is for you. Just buy a pair of darn tough sucks and wear them for a couple days. If you like them then watch sales, they pop up regularly. Here's the thing, wool doesn't get cold when moist like cotton. Sitting still is rough in the cold without the right gear. Walking around is actually far easier unless the snow is deep.

Update time it's grouse season!

I've set long term goals since the wife made it clear that she wants a dog at home while I'm away. So a new wirehaired pointing griffon is in the long term plans now. Now to tell her.

6 days of hunting grouse so far, it's year five of the downturn from the ten year peak and looking bleak. It's started even worse than I expected. Literally no drumming anywhere. I still haven't heard any. It's weird. Talking to my hillbilly neighbor there isn't anything around. According to the DNR guy he talked to 30 hunters over the weekend and combined they had 3 flushes. I wasn't optimistic. I have spent some time at the range getting used to the new gun.

Day 1, evening. After massive upkeep during the day on the cabin I got out for an hour, 2 flushes. The leaves were all up, no birds taken. The next day about 5 hours out, nothing and the dog is getting sore and bored. I spent the final of the weekend on the edges of the cedar bog and in the 8 year old aspen, 18 flushes. It looks like the rest of the year is going to be spent near water and on the edge of very dense new growth.

The following weekend I saw nothing but timber doodle. Oh well, I'll switch to steel shot and add rivers for ducks. Might as well make sure I bring something home. One of my brothers will be joining me. Cribbage will be played. The dog is doing ok. By the time he pans out my wife will refuse to let me take him. Time to make that deposit.