Fox Collectors

The water is too low for ducking in the nearby Susquehanna, and besides there are very few flight birds as yet. So a friend and I met up to do a 20 gauge Fox day up in the mountains. Grouse are now in season. I got up to the cabin early, got a fire going and we had hot coffee and some goodies before heading out with the Foxes. Our PA grouse aren't early risers.

Jack Frost has been at work. Water is still pretty low in the crick. We need rain!


Two 20 gauge Foxes out hunting today - 26 inch Sterly at top and a 28 inch SW Ejector.


First bird of the season was a 35 yard shot but it was a clean miss with my left Full choke barrel. I like the combo of a spreader and the Full choke ..... ready for any bird in range if I do my part. I put red coloring on the base for quick ID of the spreaders.


This is state land and our Game Commission makes it easy to get to some remote covers more than 3 miles off the main access road.


A Fox gets the Game. Partner made a wonderful shot while walking an old RR bed. Spreader at about 20 yards.




We hunted for 4 hours before it started raining. Raised three birds, had two shots and bagged one bird. Not too shabby. For those grouse hunters here in northern PA, the bird's crop had wintergreen berries, green leaves and the tips of beech brush.

Silvers

Great pictures.

It looks like it was a nice day afield.

Frank, I wish I was there hunting grouse with you guys. I don't know if you would allow me to hunt with the 20 gauge gang using my 16 gague Fox? Thanks for the wonderful photos. Jim

Jim, you would fit in well with your nice 16. Yesterday was 20 gauge Fox day, next time will be 16 Foxes and maybe another maker or two. Mix & match OK too. A newly found 26-inch SW Brush Ejector in 12 gauge will also make her debut one of these days. Weighs only 6^14.

I was busy with some other things last evening when I wrote up the day's events. Neglected to mention the third grouse caught both of us flat footed when we were admiring the second bird. The third one had a prominent black ruff all puffed out and was on the ground only 15 or so yards away; friend brought up the 20 Sterlie and walked forward to flush the bird, only to "shoot" at it with the empty right barrel. Due to the circumstances the spent hull was still in it. It would have been nice to get a double of sorts. Oh well, that's why we call it hunting ..... a wonderful day and one we'll remember for a long time.

Great photos!

Frank, can I play too??????

Yeah Mike that's a great idea. I show you some good places and then you and your two DeCoverlys have at it when I'm doing some other things.

I always enjoy your hunting reports. Beautiful country up there and I hope to hunt there sometime.