After spending most of the past two weeks traveling and bird hunting in Nova Scotia and New York, the vagabond and his dogs have returned to Orange.
It was a most enjoyable getaway and the dogs enjoyed the time, particularly young Tessie. This is her third hunting season, and she has matured into a very nice gun dog. Most of my past 20-plus Octobers have been spent in upstate New York, hunting and guiding hunters in pursuit of grouse and woodcock.
Growing up, ruffed grouse (Latin name bonasa umbellus) were referred to locally as partridge. They are the most widely distributed resident game bird in North America and are found in forested habitats in 38 states and all Canadian provinces. They are a prized game species noted for noisy wings when flushed and are considered fine table fare.
My association with the Ruffed Grouse Society has brought me into contact with conservation leaders and hunters active in the effort to educate people about the habitat needs of ruffed grouse and many other wildlife species. Among the fundraising activities is the annual New York Grouse and Woodcock Hunt, which yours truly has participated in as a huntsman since it was first held 14 years ago.
This past weekend, 48 hunters from as far away as California and New Zealand gathered in Malone, New York. It was my pleasure again to be one of the 24 huntsmen who guided the hunters for two days.
The weekend began with a “Meet and Greet” Friday evening that featured great barbecue and offered a chance to socialize and meet fellow grouse and woodcock devotees. Saturday morning, the pairs of hunters went to various coverts and covers where success was judged more on the whole experience, with some having their own hunting dogs while others hunted over huntsmen’s dogs; almost exclusively pointing breeds.
Saturday evening there was a dinner and social event that included silent raffles and other fundraising activities and a superb meal at Donovan’s Restaurant in Malone. The filet mignon is unequalled and the meal begins with some of the finest hors d’oeuvres known to man, including grouse and woodcock, some of which Tessie had helped acquire earlier in the week.
Both days included lunch and hunters took a break to enjoy more great barbecue on Saturday and lasagna Sunday. Those lucky enough to harvest a grouse were rare, but elated, as grouse are not easy to bag. Woodcock were more common in the bag of those hunting.
It seemed that the most valuable thing all weekend was socialization with kindred souls who also embrace the challenge of wild bird hunting for grouse and woodcock and contributing financially to the mission of the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society. That mission is to unite conservationists to improve wildlife habitat and forest health for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and all forest wildlife.
The event provides a chance for people to step forward. Many went the extra mile with generous contributions as sponsors and life sponsors who contribute a higher level to support the ongoing conservation work that has made a significant difference in habitats across the range of both species.
On the heels of four days in Nova Scotia, Tessie took advantage of her opportunities to “work” grouse. These birds are different from woodcock in many ways. Nocturnal woodcock are resting or “loafing” during daylight hours and do not tend to move, and a pointing dog can “hold” point on most encounters.
Grouse, however, are on the move all day from the time they pitch down from the roost seeking food. They like apples, various fruits like high bush cranberries and hawthorn, and their diet is diverse. They are wary and will flush wildly if the dog gets too close. Good grouse dogs are rare and take a lot of training, work and experience handling grouse. That has been a challenge as grouse are rare in Massachusetts and our trips to Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine over the past couple of years have not resulted in a lot of grouse being moved.
The Vermont and Nova Scotia trips were impacted by unseasonably warm temperatures and that is never good. In New York, however, Tessie found some grouse and improved on each contact. She earned her varsity letter our second day by pointing solidly and holding as I walked in widening circles for 10 yards with no flush and she was released. It was obvious from her excitement that this was a running grouse and 50 yards later she was on point again. That was a repeat of the search with no flush and she was again released and then pointed again another 50 yards down a stone wall.
This time the bird was there, and it flew right into the morning sun with a predictable result, but that did not matter. For a young dog to relocate not once, but twice, made my day! Relocating is something you can’t teach, but has to be learned. That was not her last strong grouse point of the weekend, so the drive home Sunday night was a chance to reflect and look forward to the rest of the season.
Massachusetts upland season is underway, as is bow and waterfowl season. So many great opportunities and so little time!
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.