Fox Collectors

I just returned from my annual two week October hunt in Maine. I decided to bring along the little "Case in Point" Fox AE 20 since it probably hasn't seen the grouse/woodcock covers in a very long time. The weather was typical of Maine in late October.....unpredictable! However, I did get a few nice days to carry the little Fox including the first day. I'm happy to say that the first woodcock that morning that was pointed by my little pointer, Pink, fell to earth.....and was retrieved to hand.....which is NOT one of her strong suits! It was nice to get the woodcock funk out of the way, as I've not had a decent shot at any that she's pointed in NY. Sorry for the lousy photos - not one of my strong suits. At least I had an iPhone, but it never seems to take good photos.



While the grouse numbers appeared to be down this year in the general area that I hunted, there were more than enough to challenge the dog and my shooting.

Pink is letting me know that, while the little Fox might be mine, those birds definitely belong to her!!



The woodcock definitely made up for the down numbers for grouse. I usually miss any significant flights while I'm up there, but a good nor'easter and another good storm the following week both brought great flights into my covers, especially one I call "Woodcock Alley". I won't mention specific numbers as they would probably be questioned, but on the Friday after the nor'easter, I quit updating the counter on my lanyard at 34.....in about 45 minutes! Many more were flushed and pointed, but when they are concentrated, a limit of 3 happens quickly! On my last Friday, I took a friend from MA who had been hunting further north (and NOT finding many woodcock) into Woodcock Alley for my last hunt. He brought along one of his custom stocked Fox AEs (done by Dan R.). I hoped that Woodcock Alley would produce again. We moved quite a few grouse on the long hike in (which we did a bang-up job of missing). About the time that I noted to him that we are at the start of Woodcock Alley, the pointing started. The cover did not disappoint! After about 45 minutes, we need to leave....he was out of shells....and tired! While neither Fox did much harm to the woodcock population, we had a great time, although I'm sure the experience was more appreciated by the two dogs!



All -in-all, it was a great two weeks. My pointer had lots of great bird contacts. She even managed to step in a coyote trap - although she came out unharmed. And the little Fox took its share of birds!

Wonderful report. Thanks. How deep is the snow in "Woodcock Alley" today? Been about a quarter century since I handled that little 20-gauge out in Cape Girardeau, MO.

"Woodcock Alley" sits along the slope of a hill, the highest point for miles around.......the elevation is about 840'. It is about an hour and a half hike on a trail to get there.....essentially prime grouse cover from the start till you get to a huge alder cover. I named the trail "Moose Coverts" because I discovered it on a 2010 moose hunt........I shot my cow there about 75 yards after we flushed the first two of many grouse along that trail. After the moose hunt, I went back with a shotgun and hiked the full length.....and discovered "Woodcock Alley".

My guess is that cover has at least 5" as of this morning! Given the rain and crazy wind on Saturday that preceded the snow, I'd say the little russet birds got out of Dodge not long after we harrassed them on Friday afternoon!!

Tony, it was nice meeting you at the Vintage Cup and thanks again for letting me handle your DGJ gun I admired for so long; and now seeing it out in the covers doing what it was made to do. And a straight gripper to boot! Sounds like a great hunt and the pics of Pink look good too. Your iPhone did just fine. Thanks so much for sharing. Frank

Readers: see the Summer 2004 Double Gun Journal

I was fortunate to also handle this beautiful gun at the Vintagers this year----a real beauty. Maine is my favorite place for woodcock and grouse hunting-----big country and wild in the northern and western counties. Thanks for posting. Craig

Thanks guys. Frank, Steve and Craig - it was great meeting you guys (as well as Paul and Dave) at the Vintagers. Its a sweet venue, but events like that have a tendency to impact my bank account! Too many shotguns that fit in that "I think I must have that" category!!

I became REALLY attached to shooting the little Fox after bringing to earth the first woodcock and the first two grouse that I shot at. Its nice to have a great classic that has modern dimensions. Of course, over-confidence is bound to rear its ugly head eventually, and quickly reminds you that consistently hitting grouse will always remain a near impossible task at best! Those SK1/IC chokes certainly paired well with RST 8s/9s and contributed to a couple of woodcock limits, as well as a handful of grouse. Good dog work and carrying that sweet little Fox made for some very enjoyable days in the coverts of Maine. I'm ready to go back (especially after sitting in the office for the last day and a half!).