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rsterne · Moderator

Hunting Season opened today, and I was out early.... I got my first Ruffed Grouse of the year at 7:10 AM, aimed at the head and hit the neck, but all it did was flapped a bit and expired on the spot.... It was this years brood, decent size, but the tail feathers were only about half developed....

I took it home and introduced it to our 5 month old Chocolate Lab Molly.... She was so excited and scared she was shaking and her hackles were up.... but after I had her fetch it a couple of times then she WANTED it big time.... I was lucky to get a photo of her standing still.... Mr. Green

When I clean them, I flip them on their back, stand on the wings, and pull up slowly on the feet.... The skin splits at the neck and peels down over the breast, leaving all the entrails attached to the back half.... You insert your finger under the crop, and the head, crop and esophagus comes away, and you discard the back half (no usuable meat, really).... You are left with the skinned breast with both wings attached.... A sharp knife around the shoulder joint removes those, wash off the breast and it's ready to freeze or cook up....

With the larger Blue (Dusky) Grouse the legs are big enough to save, so I usually cut those off, skin them, and freeze them for the dog.... The legs in the Ruffies and the even smaller Spruce (Franklin's) Grouse are laced with tiny bones the size of fish bones that are impossible to remove and I don't think they would be too kind to a dog's (or human's) throat....

I saw two other Ruffies near the one I shot, but they scurried off the road and into thick brush.... They are so well camouflaged you can nearly step on them without seeing them.... and when you do, they take off with a roar and scare the $%#@ out of you.... Shocked

.... Still, first time out this season, one shot, one Grouse.... and a beautiful Fall day to boot.... It doesn't get any better.... Mr. Green

Bob

SMP · Silver Status Member

Bravo Bob

I have to admit ruffs are my favorite. Especially fresh in the morning done in a skillet with butter and a side of eggs.

Ain't life grand Mr. Green

rsterne · Moderator

Went back out this afternoon with the wife and dog in our Yamaha Rhino.... We were out for 3 hours and the only Grouse we saw was in the same place....

I got his brother.... Mr. Green

Bob

SMP · Silver Status Member

I'm sitting here sipping my first tasting of Woodford Reserve and dreaming about how good that would taste....season doesn't open for another two weeks.

rsterne · Moderator

We were out Grouse hunting again today and I allowed Molly to fetch her first Grouse.... I had thrown a couple of dead ones for her but she just wanted to chew them.... although she would fetch just about anything else right to me.... Anyway, this one was headshot, stunned and dying but still flapping a bit and in a nice safe location where I knew it wouldn't get away.... I got her out of the back of the Rhino and pointed her nose at the bird and said "Go Fetch" and she was on it like a shot.... The Grouse started flapping like mad and she got a couple of mouths full of feathers but eventually got control of it.... I encouraged her the whole time, and eventually she picked it up by the body and brought it right to my hand.... It was still moving, but barely....

My wife and I made a HUGE fuss over her.... and she knew she'd done good.... Man was she ever proud of herself.... I took this photo once we got home.... Seven days out, seven Grouse.... Mr. Green

Bob

sniper · Silver Status Member

FINALLY!!!!! We see who the professor is!!!!

You look like an uncle. Wink

Don't worry Bob, that's a compliment! Razz

To be fair, you'll see Joe and I (with our women)
together, as we'll be at his house week after next. Shocked

Good shootin'!

Sexy lab!