GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: rsterne on September 13, 2012, 11:19:11 PM
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Got my limit again today, this time 4 Franklin's and 1 Ruffed Grouse.... I used only 5 pellets for the day, and less than 200 psi of air....
(http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo221/rsterne/Game/IMG_2633.jpg)
From left to right, female Franklin's, two young males and a large male, and a young female Ruffed grouse.... The big Franklin's was doing an awesome display right in the middle of the road, challenging me.... Unfortunately for him, he didn't know I had a 25 yard reach.... His tail is still fanned out, and you can see the red comb over his eye if you look close.... We saw one other Ruffie running through cover while we were hunting, and two more on the way home after I got my limit.... I still haven't seen a Dusky (Blue) Grouse yet, although one of our guests got two this morning....
Bob
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Another great hunt!!!! You are gonna drive them to extinction if ya keep shootin like that!!!!!
Matt
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Great shooting!!
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Gee Wiz Bob. You've got me wanting to sneak up there and shoot some of them birds.
Richard
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Nice shooting, Never saw one out here in NJ, are they good to eat?
thanks
John
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You like chicken?.... these taste better....
Bob
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Great shooting....looks like they'll be a fine meal.
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i heard grouse is good eating havent had the pleasure of eating one yet
nice shooting! five for five and dont have to refill for the next outing ;)
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Fantastic shooting. Its always a great feeling to hit the mark that many times in a row. :)
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loving this Grouse hunting of yours
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More nice shooting Bob! Enjoy!
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Great to see you're off to such a successful season Bob! Hope you can stuff the freezer.
For reference, how big are they? Quail size, Crow size? I'm curious cause of your limit, we only get 4.
Keep the String of Limits Going Bud!!! Mike
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The Franklin's (Spruce Grouse) are bigger than a Quail, about 1/2 lb.... The Ruffed Grouse are roughly Crow size, about a pound (and the best eating).... The Dusky (Blue) Grouse are like a small chicken, 2-2.5 lbs. and taste a lot like turkey.... Here is a Ducky Grouse male on display....
(http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo221/rsterne/Game/BlueGrouseMale.jpg)
Kind of like they have a built in bullseye.... The limit is 5 per day, possession limit of 15, but once the birds are in the freezer, the possession limit resets.... so if you go hunting every day the limit is 5 per day, Sept. 10 to Nov. 30.... Never happen, though....
Bob
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Thanks BOB! Yeah...once in the freezer, it's a new limit!;) I hope they're plentiful for you.
It's been a long time since I've been able to get a shot on a quail or ruffed grouse, which is all we have, that I've ever seen. It's spotty hunting for them here, and even as a kid in Illinois, it was spotty. But I do remember meals of them grouped in a covered casserole, and slow baked. Guess it was an Italian thing. I Didn't know about just taking the breast, (even dove!), until I moved to KY. Just skinned and trimmed. Thanks for the pic of the Dusky. Again...Hope you keep limiting. Mike
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Congrats on a great hunt Bob! What rifle was used? I see that some are asking if these birds are good eating. For those who have never had Ruffed Grouse...they are missing out on quite a treat. I personally have not had the pleasure of trying some of the other species that you have mentioned.
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Excellent shooting Bob. Sounds like Grouse tastes very good.
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I use my 22XX PCP Carbine that spits out 18.1 gr. JSBs at just over 700 fps.... 16 shots at 20 FPE per 1900-2000 psi fill, refilling at 1100.... I've never had to refill in the field, even though I carry a pony tank with a 1900 psi regulated output.... It uses a PRod 8-shot clip in a breech I designed.... 4X32AO Leapers scope prefocused at 20 yards while I'm hunting.... The rifle is sighted at 29 yards, 1/2" kill zone, so 1/4" above or below POA from 10-32 yards, which covers 90% of my shots.... and in that range I just aim at the eye.... If the bird is so close it's out of focus (happens occasionally with Spruce Grouse) I just hold on the top of the head, then it doesn't matter how close they are, you get a head or neck shot.... At 35-40 yards I do the same thing.... I've only taken one Grouse at 42 yards (held about an inch above his head), none further away....
Bob
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outstanding.....nice job..enjoy the breast...pure proteins...
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Great shooting there Bob! What a fine meal there.
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Outstanding shooting and pic and Grouse is some prime eats. ;) Ed