As It turned out I did break up a group of 8 - 9 hens and jakes in one cover ..... but I have only one turkey tag and it's a longbeard or nothing. All told I raised 4 grouse and shot twice. First shot was at the second bird of a brace that let me walk by in a no name cover, and then spooked when I stopped to get over a blowdown on the trail. Then I drove to a place I call the Greeneye - there's a story from my youth in that name.
The bird pictured here gave me a good 25 yard shot down the trail; and at the shot it towered (flew straight up) and then to my surprise started flying back toward me before it lighted on a tree for a few seconds, and then dropped almost where it flushed. This is the third time I've had a towerer and it's the first that landed in a tree before dropping. I was mesmerized by the scene and wasn't quick enough to shoot at the second bird that flushed when I went in after the first one. All told, the Red Gods smiled today. cell phone pic
That's a straight grip 16-gauge A Grade that came from the family of a serious WV grouse hunter. I wish I knew more about him. John Callahan tells me it has the unique Phila style record card and the Fox was likely started there before being shipped from Savage/Utica in 1936. Gun's record card is accompanied by a Savage "Shooting Test" card showing patterns of 43 and 60% with 1 ounce of 7-1/2 shot. Of course that specific load is long gone but it's proven to be a nIce choke combo. This Fox is my pet of pets for grouse.
My friend raised two grouse during that time but the 22 Hornet wasn't of much use. No turkeys on that side mountain. But on the way out we had a flock of at least 25 birds cross in front of the truck before getting to the hard road. Overall, a good day today.
