Hunted the past 2 days. Monday flushed 8 grouse and 1 woodcock. 2 shots, misses. Today I went out about 9 to a different area but similar habitat where I flushed 6 of the birds yesterday. Today we put up 10 grouse. I got 3 shots and killed one. I have been getting my flushes on thick edges near oaks, there is a decent acorn crop this year. It appears the birds had a good hatch. I’m very pleased w/ the numbers I have seen so far.
I’ll report back after this weekend. Weather doesn’t look great temp wise, but should get out a couple of mornings. Might turn into more of a fishing trip. But I’ll be out 4 out of 5 for the coming weekends with a full week in middle October.
I don’t put too much thought into the drumming surveys. 2018 saw a statewide 34% drop in drumming counts. It was my second best season in my life. They are going to be there. Just maybe not in their usual haunts.
Minnesota spring drumming counts are up 30% for 2023. Hard to explain how two adjacent states have such different results. We will learn more in September I guess.
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