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MHF US Northeast => Hunting New Hampshire => Topic started by: SHaRPS on Sep 18, 2019, 03:06:49 PM

Title: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Sep 18, 2019, 03:06:49 PM
I am just wondering if anyone plans on grouse hunting in northern NH this year? My wife wants to go up there for our 5 year anniversary ( Um OK!!!! ) and I am trying to see if anyone want to hook up for a day or 2. Please let me know and I can PM you details.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Sep 18, 2019, 03:15:19 PM
Can I come?  ;)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Sep 19, 2019, 01:47:24 PM
Can I come?  ;)

Yes!  >:(        ;)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Sep 19, 2019, 03:04:07 PM
I'll be headed to the Burg for some 'Tridge' huntin come October for sure.
 Annual trip, been goin for like 20+ years. So much fun wingshootin in the North Country!
When were you headed up?
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Sep 20, 2019, 06:09:18 AM
I'll be headed to the Burg for some 'Tridge' huntin come October for sure.
 Annual trip, been goin for like 20+ years. So much fun wingshootin in the North Country!
When were you headed up?

Hey there huntnfish603! We are heading up Friday october 11th and we will be there until Tuesday october 15th. How about you? I would love to partner up if at all possible. I do know the area very well so if I am solo it's not a big deal but bird hunting is far more exciting when you have someone to BS with lol. Do you run dogs?
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Sep 24, 2019, 07:29:46 PM
Third week
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Sep 25, 2019, 08:22:56 AM
Third week

Bummer! You will be able to see a ton of hanging moose though.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Sep 26, 2019, 08:51:55 AM
Well, if someone on here ends up heading up there the same time I do and wants to hunt, let me know and I will bring you some smoked kielbasa and sausage. 
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Sep 26, 2019, 01:22:03 PM
Sounds delicious!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Sep 26, 2019, 02:46:52 PM
Sounds delicious!

That includes you chief! Bag a monster so we can bust some feathers!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Sep 26, 2019, 08:59:34 PM
It is the goal
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Sep 30, 2019, 10:31:43 AM
Does anyone have any tips for locating snow shoe hare? No dogs, just bush whacking. There must be something that holds them in specific areas. Just thought it would be fun to try and "target" them once as well.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Sep 30, 2019, 11:55:47 AM
We usually get a few each trip. Thick spruces has been the place for us. Either on the outskirts or you can sometimes catch them on the ground in the understory of the thickest spruce stands.
Taste so good. Big up there too.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Sep 30, 2019, 03:18:37 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/LY0P2xLp/FB82-A272-F650-40-FB-AE08-0-FCBCB8-C1987.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LY0P2xLp)


Agreed, they are big on average
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Sep 30, 2019, 04:52:24 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/fkgVSv8c/snowshoe.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fkgVSv8c)
Yep. It's always a bonus to get some of these bad boys while up there. Delicious...# 6's to the head do the trick. ;D

Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Sep 30, 2019, 05:00:11 PM
Haha!! Yep!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 03, 2019, 10:31:17 AM
Thank you guys for the tips, much appreciated. Looking like a solo mission for me in the big woods. Ill drive some of the logging roads and kick some brush up that looks good. I would be happy with bringing any meat home, hare or bird. You guys ever see squirells up there? I dont think I have ever seen one in the woods but plenty in the parks.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 03, 2019, 11:01:34 AM
I have not had squirrel from up there but I mean I’ve had them at my house and they’re not bad. Nothing to write home about. Can’t imagine they taste much different 2.5 hours north of me
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 03, 2019, 01:33:47 PM
I make a killer soup, gravy, and roasted squirrel lol

(https://i.postimg.cc/MXrp3hjX/20190816-200833.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MXrp3hjX)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 03, 2019, 02:33:21 PM
Looks amazing!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Oct 03, 2019, 09:08:56 PM
Thank you guys for the tips, much appreciated. Looking like a solo mission for me in the big woods. Ill drive some of the logging roads and kick some brush up that looks good. I would be happy with bringing any meat home, hare or bird. You guys ever see squirells up there? I dont think I have ever seen one in the woods but plenty in the parks.
I might still bump into ya. May be blowing off work and heading up a few days earlier. Maybe i'll see ya around some of the back roads.
Im hearing good partridge numbers so far, but very few bagged. Early season is always tough with full foliage. Hope the cold spell coming will knock it down some. Still fun chasing them and being in the big woods though regardless.
As far as squirrels, mostly all  Reds up there.
Good luck!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 04, 2019, 05:17:48 AM
Yep, Reds are right there on the top of my list of useless things in the woods that piss me off right there with mosquitos and ticks.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 04, 2019, 08:18:37 AM
I might still bump into ya. May be blowing off work and heading up a few days earlier. Maybe i'll see ya around some of the back roads.
Im hearing good partridge numbers so far, but very few bagged. Early season is always tough with full foliage. Hope the cold spell coming will knock it down some. Still fun chasing them and being in the big woods though regardless.
As far as squirrels, mostly all  Reds up there.
Good luck!

Well if you do and are looking for company let me know. I will PM you.
Good to hear about the numbers of birds. I just ordered some 20ga 3" 7.5's. I figure this has a little extra punch to get through some cover as well as a great shell for both grouse and hares.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Oct 04, 2019, 08:45:12 AM
Yea. Early season you need to punch through.
I switched to #6s 10 years ago. Helps get through the foliage.
Later in the season I don't mind using.     7 1/2s
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 04, 2019, 09:56:31 AM
Yea. Early season you need to punch through.
I switched to #6s 10 years ago. Helps get through the foliage.
Later in the season I don't mind using.     7 1/2s

Yeah I have some 6's as well. I was planning on using a 6 as my second or third shot depending on if I will be using my O/U or Semi. Longer reach with better bone breaking.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 10, 2019, 09:57:57 AM
Well its almost that time. Finishing my work today and off tomorrow. Weather is looking beautiful with highs of upper 50's and low"s of upper 30's and low 40's! Cloudy Saturday but other than that no rain.... for now! Excited is not even the word!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 10, 2019, 05:32:50 PM
Awesome! Have fun!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Oct 10, 2019, 06:35:59 PM
Well its almost that time. Finishing my work today and off tomorrow. Weather is looking beautiful with highs of upper 50's and low"s of upper 30's and low 40's! Cloudy Saturday but other than that no rain.... for now! Excited is not even the word!
Hey Mike. Two of us said F it last night, screw work for Thursday and Friday. We just couldn't wait...lok
Took off this morning. Got up to the Burg around 1. Little warm 63 degrees. T-shirt huntin..lol
Hunted for 4 hours. 1 bird flushed, that's it!. Looks like we're going to have to really work for them this week.  ;)
Good luck
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 12, 2019, 05:07:21 AM
Hey Jason. I am suited up and about to head out the door. We shall see what I can find.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Oct 12, 2019, 05:17:10 AM
Good luck Mike. PM sent.
Toughest hunting I've seen in a long time up here. Beat the bush in my usual hotspots for 11-12 hours yesterday, only 3 birds flushed. Crazy, hard to find em this year.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Raquettedacker on Oct 12, 2019, 05:42:56 AM
Good luck.   
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 12, 2019, 11:37:49 AM
Jason... 1 down in 3 hours. Rest of the day I'll be doing some fishing and then  back at it tomorrow for birds. Good luck. Grub time

(https://i.postimg.cc/06Hy9QmW/20191012-113509.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/06Hy9QmW)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 12, 2019, 11:40:53 AM
Nice work fella!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 12, 2019, 05:15:48 PM
The consensus around these parts is that this is one of the worst bird seasons in a long time. Glad I got one. I'll try again tomorrow.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 12, 2019, 05:16:33 PM
Thanks Frank!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Oct 12, 2019, 06:11:08 PM
Nice work Mike!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Oct 12, 2019, 06:20:00 PM
Today was a wayyy better day. Hunted a completely different area and the day was complete opposite of yesterday.
Flushed 15 today! I limited out. Some great air shots. Great to be swinging grandpa's old 1930's side by side again! He'd be proud..lol
The consensus up here from everyone is still that the bird numbers are definitely down from previous years. Gotta work extra hard beatin the bush(especially when you got no dog like us).
Go get em tomorrow Mike. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/vDPD3Lc2/IMG-20191012-183946380.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vDPD3Lc2)


Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 12, 2019, 07:14:41 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 13, 2019, 10:07:46 AM
I got one this morning working some thick cover. Flushed it and made a great shot through the thicket. I'll take it. This was what I needed. I may head back out this evening.

(https://i.postimg.cc/K1m91NL1/20191013-103631.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K1m91NL1)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Raquettedacker on Oct 13, 2019, 10:25:19 AM
Congratulation.   Go get um thats what your there for.......
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 13, 2019, 10:36:30 AM
Sweet!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 13, 2019, 04:54:31 PM
I love this country. 3 for 3! Cant wait to bring these grouse back home to share them with my dad.

(https://i.postimg.cc/CRz0TVNN/20191013-172739.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRz0TVNN)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 14, 2019, 04:38:58 PM
Great way to end this trip. Missed 1 and dropped 2 today. Chased one of them mountain side for almost an hour after initialy flushing it out of  a tree. 4th time I kicked this bird up and I finally had the shot I needed! Tree flyers today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4mBRck1j/20191014-154130.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4mBRck1j)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 14, 2019, 07:15:45 PM
Sweet bud! Where’d you stay?
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 15, 2019, 06:09:58 AM
Thanks man. Rented a private cabin about 1 minute away from back lake.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 15, 2019, 07:48:27 PM
Made it home, made grouse soup for my old man, kid, wife and buddy. Amazing!

(https://i.postimg.cc/H8b9XNZJ/20191015-200719.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/H8b9XNZJ)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 16, 2019, 04:44:44 AM
Looks awesome!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Raquettedacker on Oct 16, 2019, 06:03:49 AM
Sure looks good...
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Oct 16, 2019, 08:21:17 PM
Back from the Burg. What a great week, even if the birds were less abundant or didn't always cooperate. Better than being at work, that's for sure.
As far as birds go, Had some great days, and had some pretty awful days.
Limited out a few of the days. The others were days where we only had 3-4 flushes all day. Monday was the high of 18 flushes between 2 of us. Area hunted, in relation to the lakes, definitely made a huge difference this year.
All said and done: Hours in the woods = 58. Birds moved(seen or just heard. Large number flushed ahead without even seeing) = 48 birds. Taken home = 20
No bunnies seen or taken... :'(
Not a killer year, but wouldn't miss it for anything.
Till next trip......
Back to finding Mr. Big down home.
(https://i.postimg.cc/y36RLmzj/26504.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/y36RLmzj)

(https://i.postimg.cc/0r975sJS/IMG-20191014-182033822.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0r975sJS)

(https://i.postimg.cc/rKFbr370/IMG-20170810-181343742.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKFbr370)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 17, 2019, 06:14:03 AM
Nice work Jason! Far different results than mine. Total birds flushed, 7. Birds taken home 5. I just could not really get into them no matter how much ground I covered. I am still more than excited to have harvested 5 on my own with no partner or dog. I also did not see a single bunny nor any droppings which was very odd and not expected. I did bump 2 deer and a moose, talk about a rush. Oh, and I flushed 1 woodcock with no chance to shoot. I lived and I learned. Mission successful and a hell of an adventure.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Huntnfish603 on Oct 17, 2019, 07:26:31 AM
Nice work Jason! Far different results than mine. Total birds flushed, 7. Birds taken home 5. I just could not really get into them no matter how much ground I covered. I am still more than excited to have harvested 5 on my own with no partner or dog. I also did not see a single bunny nor any droppings which was very odd and not expected. I did bump 2 deer and a moose, talk about a rush. Oh, and I flushed 1 woodcock with no chance to shoot. I lived and I learned. Mission successful and a hell of an adventure.
You had a great week. Glad you got up there. Wished we couldve hooked up but that's my fault( my time was diverted to the old timers I was with).
You're probably a far better shot than me...lol
Difference is probably areas and time hunted. We hunted from sunrise to sunset every day. It's just time spent in the right areas, that's all. We definitely had days where we were not in the right area, 5 flushes for a whole day. Each year seems a little different.
Sucks to be back to work today doesn't it Mike?
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 17, 2019, 10:27:20 AM
Nice pics Jason!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 17, 2019, 12:01:45 PM
You had a great week. Glad you got up there. Wished we couldve hooked up but that's my fault( my time was diverted to the old timers I was with).
You're probably a far better shot than me...lol
Difference is probably areas and time hunted. We hunted from sunrise to sunset every day. It's just time spent in the right areas, that's all. We definitely had days where we were not in the right area, 5 flushes for a whole day. Each year seems a little different.
Sucks to be back to work today doesn't it Mike?

I agree. I basically hunted from 7am until 11am Sat, Sun and then Monday until 12 since it was my last time out before packing up to depart Tuesday morning. I also hunted Sunday evening for 2 hours. So, it was nice to come back to the cabin with at least 1 bird every time I went out chasing them. Each bird with its own story. The first bird was great because I was able to scratch the itch but i saw it fly across the road and made an easy kill. The second bird was great because it was a area I hunted before and I made a good shot through some thick cover to see the bird fall, that was rewarding. Third bird was great because it flushed to my right way out and although I took a shot, I didnt expect much. I did miss and decided to follow it up the hill. I worked the edge for 25 minutes with nothing, looked at my GPS and headed right back towards the ridge side where I last saw it last, all of a sudden it flushed and i took it down with my second shot. This is a great spot that i never hunted before and will definitely hunt it again in the future. The 4'th bird flew out of a tree way out of range down the ridge so i decided to chase after it. I searched for 45 minutes with no luck. I then reparked on a different road and I was going to  try and work that area from the other side. After taking about 40 steps from my vehicle i heard the bird flush and after looking at my GPS, i confirmed that it should be the same bird. I then circled around to get a good shot but it flew off the very top of a huge spruce/pine and i tried shooting through it but missed. Again, i watched to see where it was headed. I crossed the road and searched for 25 minutes. I was about to give up and decided to sweep the are just to the right and about 35 yards later i kicked the bird up from about 8 feet away and I may have destroyed one entire breast. LOL. I was not letting that bird get away after all of that. I then decided to go back to the spot that I got my second bird and I kicked up a woodcock that i never had a chance at. As i circled back I flushed a grouse from a tree and took it down right away, reaction time and a good shot were key. However, even though it dropped about 30 feet away i couldnt find it for over 20 minutes. In that process, i kicked up another grouse that i never even shot at. For a while there I actually wondered if it was the same bird I dropped although all of the feathers that came off of it made me reconfirm to myself that I know i dropped it. Whatever it is about this spot, its my golden honey hole since 4 years ago i also got a bunny here. With all of that said, these pictures tell what I really looked forward to daily after hunting! "Daddy you shoot a bird?!?! Yay!!!" Lol And yes, work blows even more now. Lol especially with power outages. Lol
(https://i.postimg.cc/BXXWB4HL/20191013-171142.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BXXWB4HL)

(https://i.postimg.cc/q6qFwxhV/20191013-103822.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q6qFwxhV)


(https://i.postimg.cc/D8qrDbqt/20191012-113451.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D8qrDbqt)
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: Raquettedacker on Oct 17, 2019, 01:07:32 PM
Boy what a good time ..  Congratulations.
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: aquaassassin on Oct 18, 2019, 05:21:33 AM
Well this thread turned out far better than expected lol. Nice Work Mike!!
Title: Re: Grouse hunting NH - October
Post by: SHaRPS on Oct 18, 2019, 06:02:35 AM
Well this thread turned out far better than expected lol. Nice Work Mike!!

Lol! Thanks Frank. I will try to get back up there next year.
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