Mountain Grouse

[MW]

The season starts on the 8th.

I am more fired up about this season than elk or deer!  The little guy gets to hunt with me.  Not go with but bring and shoot his bow!  We have been shooting all day.
The girls have elected to stay home next weekend and have a sleep over so the boys are heading out to the mountains in search of the elusive bird.  These birds were made for boys (big and little) and bows.

[BigRonHuntAlot]

   Sounds like some great bonding time... Best wishes and looking forward to some pics.

[wingnut]

There is no finer small game animal to persue with a stick and string.  The most memorable hunts of my 30 years of bowhunting involve the noble forest grouse.  Have fun, shoot often and don't forget to laugh.

LOL

Mike

[MW]

We are back from the hunt!

First off, I need to get my own camera to take into the woods.  Due to one in the house and my wife using it I have no pictures.

I was out of town all week on business.  Business means people and people often get on ones nerves so a little mountain time was definately in order.  I rolled back into town on Friday in time to rescue Sklyer from the girls.  My daughter was having a sleep over/ princes party.  Four five year olds spending the weekend dressing up, doind nails and hair, and hopped up on sugar.  My wife said the getting was good so me and Skyler packed our gear and headed for the hills.

Two guys, two bows, a plethera of arrows, camping gear, one deer tag, an elk tag, and grouse opening day.

[MW]

We headed into the mountains and soon hit a dirt road that go worse and worse.  The worse the road the better, less people.

We found a meadow I know circled by trees with a stream running through it, a perfect place to camp.  There were shot gun blasts in the distance as other hunters got into grouse.

We set up camp quickly and were soon headed into the woods.

Seven year olds walk very loudly!  This is a reoccuring theme when we hunt together but he is getting better and when he thinks about it he can actually be quiet.

As we moved through a stand of pines on seeing any grouse, deer, or elk Sky soom began to knotice the squirl and chipmonk poputiation that were mocking him from the safty of the trees.

[MW]

I have to stop here and blame or thank CK.  Due inpart to his influence my son has gotten a taste for small game.  You can guess what happened next.

The thought of filling an elk or deer tag was quickly dismissed as the woods became alive with a barrage of pint sized arrows let loose at any tree rat that dared to show itself within a twenty yard radius.  The echo of arrows bouncing off rocks trees and stumps was only drowned out by the running commentary about the last shot and how close it was.  

Any big game animal that was not completely deaf was miles away.... or so I thought.

[MW]

I quickly assessed the situation and instituted a four arrow limit.  Any creature that made it through four shots got away and he had to stop and get his arrow.

During one such gathering sessions the was twenty yards from me on the other side of a pine when I heard the tale tell thump thump thump of a mulie hoping through the woods.  We both froze and zeroed in on a large doe bounding down a slight hill straight at Skyler.  It had no idea he was there.  A quick calculation (I'm no mathmatition) told me that a 175 lb deer at a full run verse a 55lb boy would end in one mad mom.  I yelled out and the shocked deer stopped about 10 feet short of Skyler.  Both were looking at me and I still don't know who's eyes were bigger.  Skyler has raised an arrow up infront of him with one hand and was trying to get his knife with the other.

The deer stomped its foot and snorted then ran off at a right angle.  Skyler never moved and I don't think the deer ever knew he was there.

[MW]

After it was over and we both realized that his pants were still clean we had a good laugh.

The torment of tree rats was soon back on.  We were at 10000+ feet and there were deer in the area but the elk sign was good as well.  I still had some hope.  Sky was out infront of me and came to a stop.

I eased up next to him and he wispered Dad you need to take him.  The wind was right.  We parctice about three or four times a week and I felt good out to 30 yards.  This shot looked to be about twenty.  I had choosen to hunt this season with recurve drawing 74lb and pushing 600 grains about 205.  This was tipped with a zwicky two blade sharpened so I could shave my arms.  

I was pretty confident that a well placed shot could drop what I was after.

[Littlefeather]

Well, well, I guess he learned better than I thought. That boy now understands that a small game hunters heart beats omly for small game no matter what season. Deer, Elk, and Bear season stop immediately upon spotting the very first grouse. I just thought that was bowhunting law  

[wingnut]

Heck I'll take it one step further.  There are times when you say "Screw the bugling elk and shoot the grouse"  (Cleaned up for the young readers)

LOL

Mike

[MW]

CK and wingnut,

He's got that down.

I released the arrow.  The blood trail was short and sweet.  A headless tree rat body was quivering on the stump where it had been sitting with the head slightly behind the stump.  It was a through and through shot with the arrow bouncing off a few things in the backgroung and resting in a small tree.

I would appear that the combo that I was using was enough for your average tree rat.

Witnessing this only got the boy's taste buds ripe for blood.  The arrows really started to fly!

It was the only shot I took for the weekend as I turned into the arrow caddy and retriever.

It was just turning dusk as we eased up a dirt road.  A squirrel ran across the road and up a tree about 3 feet.  Skyler pulled back an paused.  He was at 15 yards and the squirrel turned to face him.  I watched as the arrow let loose.

[JEFF B]

good luck on ya hunt and plenty of pics  

[steadman]

Mitch, was wondering about your hunt. Good to hear it was successful. Congrats to you and your son. We might have to get together ( I have three boys) and let them shoot at some critters! Talk to you after I get back from ID.

[MW]

Steadman,

Sounds like fun.  Lets make it happen!  

Good luck on your hunt.

[Nate Fikkert]

Hey guys,

Don't mean to highjack this thread, so I can take this elsewhere if it gets serious.  I recently moved to Utah and at first thought I was one of maybe a half dozen trad hunters in the state.  It seems there are a few more.  How about a weekend in October where we all pick a place, meet up, camp and small game hunt.  I thought strawberry reservoir area would be a good central location.  Let me know what you think.  I loved the way you told that story by the way.

Nathan

[MW]

I would be interested.

[IB]

Holy Smokes he still does LIVE an Breath   :eek:  

Mitch hook up with Nate he's A TOP SHELF Wyoming Son who knows no LIES          

Great Story Tellin my friend save some for Paradise though

[MW]

Just got a new camera and the people here in the office are trying to show me how to use it.

I will be ready for the trip!

[Angus]

It's a great idea, Nate; pity I live two states west!

[MW]

Angus,

Come on out! Its not really that far! Just a drive throught the night.    

Vance,

You should come down too!  By the way how far are you from Pinedale?


My wonderful wife just told me I should hunt this weekend as the next we'll be in Pinedale Wyoming and the following she will be at a womens retreat and I'll have the kids.  My boss told me I should take Monday off and go kill something, it might take the edge off.

Things are looking great!!!!!!!!!