The less rational hunt for grouse

I’ve heard it said that rational grouse hunters do not start hunting grouse until the leaves start falling and the ground cover opens up. It’s difficult, however, to be rational when your grouse hunting time is limited, and you’ve been waiting all year for the upland season to begin. That’s why many of us start our season under less-than-ideal conditions. I’m referring to the period when the foliage is full, the goldenrods and berry canes are still high, and the days hold the sear of summer more than the crispness of autumn. Is the early season the best time to hunt upland birds? Probably not. After all, September is filled with days when more flushes are heard than seen. Yet, the early season also offers unique experiences. For instance, this is when you run into family groups of birds — an encounter which on occasion trans­lates to multiple, almost quail-like, flushes. And while you might be caught flat footed for the first one, by the second or third flush, you’re as ready as you are ever going to be. And, even if you’re not, it’s just nice to give your dog access to these rare concentrations of game birds. Another plus is that early season birds typically do not possess the hairpin triggers of their pres­sured late season colleagues. Here’s one last perk — the same dense cover that conceals their flushes also encourages grouse to hold tighter or walk or run ahead — which means, if you hear or catch a glimpse of a runner you sometimes get a chance to position yourself better to see the flush or direct your dog towards it. Early shots I also believe early season experiences serve to bring wing-shooting reflexes back up to speed. A grouse hunter never needs to be quicker in mount­ing his or her gun, pointing it at a bird, and shoot­ing, than in the early season, when a quick glimpse of a bird is all you might get. Which is to say, in the early season, there is even less reason to hesitate or expect a better shot. Snap-shooting is generally the order of the day, because a bird that’s 20 yards away is often no longer in sight. Getting these shooting skills and birdy reflexes in order is something I’d rather do in September than in prime time. Tips for the dogs and dogless The heat and