A fox in Michigan

[vaturkey]

My 20 old month Lew and I went to Michigan last week. Grouse numbers were fair. Woodcock numbers were quite good. I had my restocked 20 gauge Ejector Sterly and my Buddy was shooting a SKB 20 gauge. We did well. My little Lew Sophie pointed approximately 75 Woodcock during the week and a handful of Grouse. Was a fun week for sure.

[ROMAC]

Tom,

I want to hang around with you someday!

Looks like an awesome road trip

[Jeff S]

Great pictures and I love the wood on that gun. I'm taking Wednesday off to do a little hunting. Would you be willing to let me know where you hunted? I've been considering just southwest of Interlochen. Jeff

[vaturkey]

Great pictures and I love the wood on that gun. I'm taking Wednesday off to do a little hunting. Would you be willing to let me know where you hunted? I've been considering just southwest of Interlochen. Jeff

I wasn't doing the driving or paying much attention. Think we were south of that area. Birds were in Aspen for the most part. I actually thought we would get more grouse flushes, but the Woodcock made up for it.

[Jeff S]

Thanks for the motivation. Last year I flushed 1 woodcock and so far this year I've flushed 0. You didn't happen to leave your dog in Michigan did you?

[Jim Cloninger]

Wow, Tom, that is super! I am glad Sophie is doing well for you. Jim

[Fin2Feather]

Nice! Our seasons don't open for another 12 days, and if fall temps don't get here we'll be hunting in shorts and T-shirts!

[birdawg]

That looks like a great trip. I have always wanted to hunt woodcock in the north woods. There are just too many places in the fall, maybe somedayI will get there since my wife want to come up when the fall color is still on the leaves, but until then keep the pictures coming. Very nice looking setter too I need a new one but we are trying to stay away from white

[bbman3]

Tom thanks for posting the pictures of your great hunt! Bobby

[vaturkey]

Thanks for the motivation. Last year I flushed 1 woodcock and so far this year I've flushed 0. You didn't happen to leave your dog in Michigan did you?

Nope she's home with me. We actually hit the mountains of Virginia this morning. 6 Grouse flushes and 1 Woodcock flush. Two shots fired and zero connects. I very much miss the flatness of Michigan already and love the fact there are almost zero briers up there.

[Jeff S]

Tom, you did good. I took the day off, and my brother and I headed to the Little Betsie Grouse Management in the Northwestern Lower Peninsula. We flushed 3 grouse and 5 woodcock, but unfortunately I came home with an empty game bag. My brother got one woodcock, which made him extremely happy because it was his first kill with his prewar, 16 ga. Simson (gorgeous gun). Maybe next time I'll nail them like you did. Jeff

[vaturkey]

I know pretty much zero about Michigan or further north. What I do know is I like the sand versus the rocks/shale we have here in Va. Much easier on both the dogs feet and my feet. Also like the relative flatness compared to what I have to navigate here in my home state of Maine. I always thought Maine was the easiest hunting in the world. Nope Michigan is easier by a good bit. Also, you folks have such a wide variety of berries and other food for the grouse that I think they must winter over really good. Our birds here in Va have almost nothing to eat during a hard winter if there isn't a good mast crop. Appears as if we do have a good mast crop this year so that is good. I already miss Michigan. I will be back for sure.

[Silvers]

Tom, thanks for taking the time to post the story and pics. Sounds like a nice adventure and one you'll probably repeat! frank