grousa polousa/fistful of grouse (pic heavy)

[Dirtysteve]

Landon invited me on what he would later name grousa polousa or fistfull of grouse.
We started the day on the parkers looking for sage grouse.
The guide in all his glory pointing out where the birds will be


We rode through some very good looking grouse country and let the dogs do there thing


I noticed Crash getting birdy and Tuck coming in from the side when almost to the second they both slammed to a stop

I got off the horse, grabbed the gun walked infront of the dogs and up came about 30 birds. I dropped one, turn and dropped another. Both dogs stood until I walked over and tapped them for the retrieve. I couldn't have been happier. My first Sage Grouse over broke finds!



We then went back to the trailer and unloaded some more dogs just to run some birds.
Cash on point



It was getting hot so we headed west for some Dusky grouse

[Dirtysteve]

After we got into the hills we unloaded and went for a hunt. Blue's hang in the most beautiful country one can ever hunt.

We saw a few of these


and then the dogs found a bunch of these


Opened a few up to see what they had been eating


Pine needles, leaves that looked like clover and berries.
We continued on and as the sun started setting the elk started bugling. Had 5 different bulls all around us and even had a "stop to elk" with the dogs
After it was all done we had a fistful of grouse


Got up early and tried one last hunt before I headed home. Went to a different spot and scratched down a few more before I had to leave.
Landon and his boy with the mornings bounty

Not too shabby of a weekend.
Saw this on the way home and had to stop and take a pic. It made me think how lucky we are to live in a country we can load up horses, dogs, guns and go hunting.

[ACooper]

Great post and great pics, I hope to be able to hunt big country on horse back someday.

[tn red]

Thanks for the pics that looks like a great time

[redman25]

Looks like a GREAT time! I have the same question.....how do they taste?

[Dirtysteve]

Blue grouse taste very good even when eating pine needles. Sage grouse on the other hand taste like a dirty old saddle!

[ymepointer]

Great pics DS, I am very thankful for your submission, I have a litter of pups taking up all my hunting time for the next few weeks....then I can play too.

Great stuff. Please keep them coming

[Ryman Gun Dog]

DirtySteve,
Great pictures of a fine western Grouse hunt, congrats on a fine couple of days in the field.
RGD/Dave

[Ruffshooter]

THat is very cool. Looks like a lot of fun. Great Pics, Great last comment. We truly are blessed. Lets not let anyone take it away.

Rick

[brookzee]

those blues are somekind of pretty.do they provide good dog work.fly good.etc....awesome too with your son with you. he'll never forget those times with dad and dads buddies. pretty dogs as well.congrats on the double kill and dogs standing broke....that will make stick your chest out a bit....as you should .thanks for sharing

[northern cajun]

Very Very nice and what great country to hunt!!

[redman25]

Blue grouse taste very good even when eating pine needles. Sage grouse on the other hand taste like a dirty old saddle!

Oh well, maybe soak 'em in some buttermilk, roll 'em in flour, and drop 'em in some hot grease! That will even flavor up a dirty old saddle.....

[Dave C]

Excellent pics and write up mate, looks a cracking few days hunting over some handsome looking dogs and in good company, what more could a man want.

ATB
Dave.

[lvrgsp]

Absolutely Freakn Awesome Brandon....You guys have no idea how lucky you are to even be able to saddle up a horse and go hunt in the mountains, let alone cut dogs loose and chase em around all over. Your gettin pretty good with that there piture taker. Love the shot with the sun coming through the trees at the watering hole....Is there a reason that shotgun looks familiar?..

[Dirtysteve]

Is there a reason that shotgun looks familiar?..

Landon was amazed at the birds that I was scratching down with the little old 20 ga.
I have 12 ga's but that gun is my go to gun. It's a trained killer..As you have seen

[lvrgsp]

Looks like one helluva trip. I need to get me a nice 20 ga.