Sage Grouse Pics Options

[Sp3Ak-Th3-LaNgUaG3]

Just figured I'd post some Upland Game Pics. Went out for Sage Grouse yesterday (9/23) and the day before. Both me and my dad limited out both days. I then went out for waterfowl today as it was opening day of the season...the first thing I run into is a whole bunch of chickens...so I limited out again !

Day 1
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l210/POk...chickenday1.jpg

Day 2
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l210/POk3s/chickenday2.jpg

Day 3
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l210/POk...OpeningDay4.jpg

[buckykm1]

Nice pictures, congrats, are the sage grouse good to eat ?.

Kevin

[Sp3Ak-Th3-LaNgUaG3]

They're not near as good as what we call "pine grouse" (blue and ruffed grouse). I truly believe that those mountain grouse are the best table fare anywhere. Sage grouse is still good but every once in a while you'll get that taste of sagebrush as they feed on those seeds and sprouts instead of pine nuts and seeds. A little different flavor but still very good.

[iceman09]

How is Rucker doing his first season out?

[Sp3Ak-Th3-LaNgUaG3]

I have a little update in the waterfowl section but he's getting better every time out. He didn't go get the first duck of the year but since then he's went and got every one I've asked. He's getting a lot better with the ones that are still kicking our flapping. He still barks at them and is cautious most of the time but he always picks them up within a few seconds. Today I hit a teal from a long ways off and dumped it in the river. It ended up making it to the opposite bank. I sent him over and wouldn't let him come back until he found that bird. I just kept telling him to "get the bird...find the bird" and he would stay over there. To his credit after about 5 minutes he finally went into the patch of long grass I knew he was in. He kicked him out, tackled it, bit it, and brought it back. Was great to see as that was his first opposite bank retrieve.

[okbowman]

Ok Trent, I want to come out and hunt these birds with you! Kills look great!

[Sp3Ak-Th3-LaNgUaG3]

Come on out! The two spots I went the first two days are my "go-to" spots. they wanna put Sage grouse on the endangered species list...I need to bring whoever is in charge of that to my stomping grounds lol. I can't seem to get away from them this year!

I ended up getting one more a couple days ago as I was done hunting (waterfowl) and letting Rucker run around before I put him in the truck and took pictures and such. Had taken the shell out of the tube and had my back to Rucker....I turn around to see him right on the tail of a Sage Chicken nipping at it's tail feathers. It takes flight and I jack a shell in and knock it down. I guess he's got that scent down!!! Sadly the limit is only 2 a day and the season is only open for 2 weeks. The chicken on this day was all alone as I made Rucker hunt through some more high bushes after that.

Here's the pic from that day...taken about 2 minutes after the sage grouse affair
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l210/POk3s/Sep28birds.jpg