Upland Catch Up

As is always the case, fall goes by way to quickly. As a result I try and spend every waking second that I'm not at work in the woods or the water and naturally my blog falls way behind. Today is the last day of the 1st grouse season and it will remain closed until Dec. 1. I figured this would be as good a time as any to put up some of the many photos I have taken this season in the woods. Below is a little "mini" essay that I wrote for a message board I am a member of and I think it is a perfect introduction to the photos that follow. Enjoy!

I was introduced to the grouse woods at a young age, tagging along behind my father and uncle carrying a BB gun before I was old enough for my own shotgun. I shot my first grouse when I was 13 and I can still remember the event like it was yesterday. My father was beaming when he retrieved that large red phase for me and it's memories like these that will stick with me long after I am able to hunt anymore.
We moved away from the grouse coverts we loved when I was 16 and it would take me nearly a decade before I returned. As is normally the case life got in the way. School, sports, and girls occupied much of my time and my memories of crisp fall mornings and fleeting grouse grew dimmer each day.
Four years ago my wife and I were fortunate enough to move back to the north woods. We moved largely for family and the fishing, but I was also chomping at the bit to get back after the birds I haden't chased in what seemed like an eternity.
Since that time I have enjoyed many excellent days in the field, none more special than those spent with my father and good friends. This season has been truly exceptional and I wanted to share some photos with you all. When winter hits and the season ends its days like these that I see when I daydream. Frosty mornings, brilliant foliage, the haphazard flight of the woodcock, and the sound of thunder crashing through the aspen stands. In the perfect world.......it would be forever fall.















Overall this has been a great season. We've had great hunting weather and have seen strong numbers of birds just about every outing. Our shooting left a lot to be desired but at least we got our chances and managed to knock down enough to be satisfied. Hopefully we will be able to hunt a few more times in the late season but you just never know. It would be nice to kill a few more birds but even if not it's been one to remember.