Sage grouse seasons and states...

Tod....I was just having fun. Don't take it too serious man. My Grandma was a HOOG Prairie Home Companion fan and even read Garrison's books and I blew her all manner of shit about it(rest her soul). My Cousin Julie lives on Lake Minnetonka and she loves Garrison and probably drinks spritzers and Peligreno with him and I still make fun of him in front of her. And as far as Acadamia and liberalism goes...well I have one Anthrax CD and Fox News is the msot played TV station in my house per my say so I can honestly say it comes to me naturally. Seriously man, I didn't mean to bug you. And, I listen to NPR in my truck...don't that count fer sumpin' man?

Gregg, I think you're right. I have a HOOG assneck, and I think I'd be damn proud to walk with the other nutsack necks.
 
Steve,

Other than my brain exploding, that sounds great...

I'm right there with you other than the prairie chickens. Maybe it is just me, I have no real excitement to go for them on this trip. Maybe because I haven't spent enough time in the grasslands, I'm just not excited about them. In my understanding they would be tough and I don't think I'm worthy anyway. Lessers are appealing given that we are most likely to lose them, but you can't shoot a Lesser without shooting a Greater first.

Otherwise, I'm right there. Eastern MT in early September, Sage grouse, along with lots of other stuff, opens the 1st. Pronghorns don't open until October, but that is okay. Grouse in the mountains of MT after that. I'd like to do some exploring in MT as well, Jen knows parts fairly well (some of the rocks really well), she spent a couple summers there in college. Jen and I have been talking about doing a trip along route 2 from ME to WA, we could take route 2 from MN to MT.

I love the idea of quail, Huns, Chukar in WA, I've drove through the Eastern part of the state a couple times and thoutght it was beautiful. I don't know the northern quail other then having seen them a couple times. Sign me up for that.

We have friends in Tuscon and will for sure drop down there. I'm going to be there in January and am going to do some following up on leads to find some quail spots.

I have plenty of steel already, so I guess I'm ready.

T
 
I'll be the first to jump in, I have a upland buddy who used to live 50mi south of Kansas City on the east side of the Flint Hills(the Flint Hills being the heart of Greater Prairie Chicken country). He'd be able to point you in the right direction for Prairie Chicken, (Wild)Pheasant, and (Wild)Bobwhite Quail. If you stay close to Missouri you can hop over the boarder for a $10 daily Non-res tag and shoot Sora rails and have a chance for a Virginia where Steve hunted many moons ago. I also have a buddy who has in-laws in West Central Kansas(South of WaKeeney) in the Ransom area if that is lesser chicken country???
Click to expand...


Hey Mark, I don't think there is any chance for hitting KS for prairie chickens on this trip, even given Steve's best suggestions, I just can't get fired up about the chickens. The MO rail, however, have been on my list since the first time I've heard you guys talking about them.

T
 
Last edited:
Tod....I was just having fun. Don't take it too serious man. My Grandma was a HOOG Prairie Home Companion fan and even read Garrison's books and I blew her all manner of shit about it(rest her soul). My Cousin Julie lives on Lake Minnetonka and she loves Garrison and probably drinks spritzers and Peligreno with him and I still make fun of him in front of her. And as far as Acadamia and liberalism goes...well I have one Anthrax CD and Fox News is the msot played TV station in my house per my say so I can honestly say it comes to me naturally. Seriously man, I didn't mean to bug you. And, I listen to NPR in my truck...don't that count fer sumpin' man?

Gregg, I think you're right. I have a HOOG assneck, and I think I'd be damn proud to walk with the other nutsack necks.
Click to expand...


JAy,

I can't stand Prairie Home Companion, Garrison in particular, Jen likes it I don't. I just knew that it would bug you that the band you were pimping was on it.

Not a big deal as far as me. In full discolsure I do wear sandals to teach sometimes.

T
 
or Tevas? I mean, everybody makes them but surely there is some kind of "clout" issue that condones name brands. Of course, I don't give a hoot I wear tennis shoes usually.

I have this pair of 5/10 Tevas that I bought in Boulder 10 years ago. I thought I was the bomb diggidee of sandal wearers though I never stooped to wearing socks with them. I was home one time playing darts with my dad and brother and I got pissed because my dad beat me again and I kicked the floor in frustration. That 5/10 compound made this black stripe on the floor that's still there. Who knew at the time? Any whitewater river in the country has rocks with blacks marks on them from 5/10.

If you need Central(10k acres)and Western Kansas(infinity)connections let me know.
 
Oh, by the way....I meant to post that reply on that other post. I must've clicked on the wrong email dealy. I went to a friends tonight and he had a fresh keg of local blueberry ale on tap(not bad...not too fruity)in his pole barn. He also has a new Truax seed drill sitting there waiting to be used so we were hatching plans of food plots etc.
 
It comes at no surprize to me that you think Sage Grouse taste great. But for some unknown reason, you are the only person in my 64 years that has ever said they taste good. What with a little over night soak in basalmic vinegar, you'd even like the taste of Condor breast fillets!

More lead shot, ban steel shot and those wrinkle-headed damn buzzards!
If it ain't on the endagered list.....it just ain't been hunted enough, WAGH!

BTW where was it that you saw the most Sage Hens in your life, with 75-100 getting up in front of you at once? And tell me again about our beautiful scenic drive getting there.....you know the spot where you and Debbie are looking forward to retiring to.....something starting with Christmas.... :^)

Dave
 
its clear you don't teach English up there in College.....

No Prairie chuckens huh? Well everyone has different goals. Not sure about the "can't shoot a Lesser unless you shoot a Greater first", but I do understand the difference in listing priorities...

We"ll plan on it then, Montana first and then you can roll into Washington. That gives me this seaosn to check out some places on the snake and the Grande Ronde for birds and fishes.....

Timing will be important onthe Mtn. Quail in Oregon because the Ranch and place I'd like to hook you up with there is big on Blacktail hunting, (Mike Guides there), and it won't be available during deer season.....we'll figure that one out though....lots of other options down that way if the Ranch is booked for Deer season...

Maine to Washington to Arizona and home...that'll be a trip to remember for sure....

Steve
 
Last edited:
up in the Pig Eye Basin in Russell Country in Montana when we flushed a vertible HERD of birds out of a Sage Brush draw that lasted for the full thirty minutes that we walked the draw.....there were three of us and we all had ouur four in short order. We continued up the draw hoping for Sharptails, didn't happen, and just to see the wave of Sage Grouse leaving the wash. And none of them were repeat flushes either because the birds that flushed exited the sides of the wash instead of flying down it....Incredible......

Now for shear dramatics the afternoon flight of birds in your area is tough to beat.

I'd love for Todd to see the Abert Rim and that entire area around there but I'd hate for him to have to drive through to Christmas Valley.

As to "good eats"....well what can I say..you weren't impressed with grits either....

Steve
 
I hope to see a flock that big in Montana some day. Like you say, those morning and evening pass shoots in that spot of mine is a dramatic scene to behold. Bob Houk got his eveing bird and his morning bird in that same spot. We'll know more next month!

If it was not for the draw, it would be no problem getting Tod a couple of birds there. But, with all things considered, I think Montana is the best all around choice. The great part is that at teh same time he can shoot Sharpies, Huns & doves as well as the Mountain Grouse. BTW I was just looking at a property for sale in Yak, but it was too far west for me. Blues and Ruffs are all around Lewistown in the Snowy's and the Belts.

Most likely Tod will already be west of Montana by the end of September duck opener and Pheasant does not open until the fisrt week of October. The good thing about pheasant opener is that around Miles City it is also Antelope and Turkey opener too. There were several trucks that pulled into our Super 8 in Miles City last year that had Antelope, turkeys and pheasants piled in the back of them.

I gotta tell you a quick story about that saturday evening in Miles City. Rick Ketcham and I are walking down the hallway going to our rooms when I hear some guy behind us say "Rick Ketcham is that you?" We turn around and here is Bill Poole the owner of several long range boats and a Sportsfishing landing in San Diego. Rick and I have known Bill since the early 1960's. We stood in the hallway and shot the breeze for a while. Bill was up for antelope and pheasant hunting. What a small world it is at times.

As for the flavor of SG's, the only thing that could possibly make them taste worse would be to stuff them with GRITS soaked in Condor barf! :^)

Our bird regs should be out anytime now and I'll let you know when our deadline is.

Dave
 
Hey Steve, speaking of ptarmigan, we got white tails here. I was just talking to a buddy of mine last friday about doing a hunt for 'em... We have a little bit of intel already, but we're searching for more.... Longer season than sage grouse and no drawing! Kinda like snow cock, high elevation and not attractive to hunters....

I could tell you where I saw snow cock sign in NV, but you'll be hiking about 12 miles up with an elevation change from about 8,500 to close to 11,500. That just gets you to the lake/camp then it's higher to the top. There's even sheep and mountain goat up there (and chukar and mtn. quail).
 
Condor barf?

Pau;, we have White tails here but no season.....I've not shot them soif you find them then that would be worth the trip down for sure.....

Steve
 
or Tevas? I mean, everybody makes them but surely there is some kind of "clout" issue that condones name brands. Of course, I don't give a hoot I wear tennis shoes usually.

I have this pair of 5/10 Tevas that I bought in Boulder 10 years ago. I thought I was the bomb diggidee of sandal wearers though I never stooped to wearing socks with them. I was home one time playing darts with my dad and brother and I got pissed because my dad beat me again and I kicked the floor in frustration. That 5/10 compound made this black stripe on the floor that's still there. Who knew at the time? Any whitewater river in the country has rocks with blacks marks on them from 5/10.

If you need Central(10k acres)and Western Kansas(infinity)connections let me know.
Click to expand...


Eww, no Birkenstinks for me. Chacos, get the nod. No socks.
 
its clear you don't teach English up there in College.....

No Prairie chuckens huh? Well everyone has different goals. Not sure about the "can't shoot a Lesser unless you shoot a Greater first", but I do understand the difference in listing priorities...

We"ll plan on it then, Montana first and then you can roll into Washington. That gives me this seaosn to check out some places on the snake and the Grande Ronde for birds and fishes.....

Timing will be important onthe Mtn. Quail in Oregon because the Ranch and place I'd like to hook you up with there is big on Blacktail hunting, (Mike Guides there), and it won't be available during deer season.....we'll figure that one out though....lots of other options down that way if the Ranch is booked for Deer season...

Maine to Washington to Arizona and home...that'll be a trip to remember for sure....

Steve
Click to expand...



I was never a big fan of spellin gor grammar, but at times I have been known to write pretty good. In my defense I had a cranky 2 month old in my lap and was light-headed thinking about that trip and the possibilities.

All said, I didnt think I'd get this excited soo early on. Do you have any suggestions of books to help understand western upland birds?
 
Lots of public area to hunt rails in MO MO land and I think two other people in the whole state hunt them so you have the place to yourself. To take advantage of more options, (teal, dove, snipe, etc.) the time to swing through here is mid Sept. right after a full moon. Give us a shout and we'll get you hooked up. If you bring your pop up trailer you can sleep in the marsh and have them keep you up all night to enhance the experience!
 
I hope to see a flock that big in Montana some day. Like you say, those morning and evening pass shoots in that spot of mine is a dramatic scene to behold. Bob Houk got his eveing bird and his morning bird in that same spot. We'll know more next month!

If it was not for the draw, it would be no problem getting Tod a couple of birds there. But, with all things considered, I think Montana is the best all around choice. The great part is that at teh same time he can shoot Sharpies, Huns & doves as well as the Mountain Grouse. BTW I was just looking at a property for sale in Yak, but it was too far west for me. Blues and Ruffs are all around Lewistown in the Snowy's and the Belts.

Most likely Tod will already be west of Montana by the end of September duck opener and Pheasant does not open until the fisrt week of October. The good thing about pheasant opener is that around Miles City it is also Antelope and Turkey opener too. There were several trucks that pulled into our Super 8 in Miles City last year that had Antelope, turkeys and pheasants piled in the back of them.

I gotta tell you a quick story about that saturday evening in Miles City. Rick Ketcham and I are walking down the hallway going to our rooms when I hear some guy behind us say "Rick Ketcham is that you?" We turn around and here is Bill Poole the owner of several long range boats and a Sportsfishing landing in San Diego. Rick and I have known Bill since the early 1960's. We stood in the hallway and shot the breeze for a while. Bill was up for antelope and pheasant hunting. What a small world it is at times.

As for the flavor of SG's, the only thing that could possibly make them taste worse would be to stuff them with GRITS soaked in Condor barf! :^)

Our bird regs should be out anytime now and I'll let you know when our deadline is.

Dave
Click to expand...


Yeah Dave, I keep thinking, maybe try for pronghorn too or a muley tag, but I can't pack it all in. Is my impressionn right in thinking that a pronghorn hunt would be the easiest big game to add to the trip if I just wanted a legal buck? Seasons are later for the most part, but we have people in WY that we would like to see on the way back (which would be in Oct).

T
 
My Favorite.....

Hunting Upland Birds--Charley Waterman....he covers some Eastern stuff too, but Waterman was THE MAN when it came to Upland

All of these are well worth reading....

Western Wings--Hunting Upland Bords on the Northern Plains--Ben Williams
The Wild Ones--A Quest fo North American Forest and Prairie Gouse--John Taylor
Hunting the Quail of North America--Ben Williams
Western Skies--Bird Hunting In The Rockies And The Plains--John Barsness
A Chukar Hunters Companion-Pat Wray
Kicking Up Trouble-Upland Bird Hunting In The West--John Holt

Williams was a contemporary of Waterman and has assumed the mantle of THE MAN, at least IMO, when it comes to Upland Bird hunting, (at least in the West). His work is benefitted by the fact that he is an excellent photographer so you get his enormous base of knowledge, excellent writing and great photography.

Taylor's book, (actually all of them in combination), may likely change the way you feel about pursuing Prairie Chickens.

Wray gets you into the insanity that is Chukar hunting, not just the occassional Chukar hunt but the hardcore Chukar Hunters who pursue Chukars to the exclusion of all other birds.

Williams also has a great "coffee table" book that is more a tribute to the birds and the places they live than it is about how to, where to. American Wingshooting. Its broken down by habitat type with forewards by Waterman and super pictures.....definately will get your heart pumping.

All but the Waterman book are still "in print" if you are looking to build a Library.....if you just want to read them let me know and I'll mail them to you one at a time, or all at once, whichever works for you.....

Steve
 
Steve, thanks for the list.

I ordered "Hunting Upland Birds" by Charley Waterman, "Western Wings" by Ben Williams and "Western Skies" by John Barsness to get started. I'll get those read and go back for more. I really appreciate it.

Tod
 
first on the next go round and then fill in from there.....Wray is the most specialized and may not have as much interest but its still a good read. Maybe save that one for last....

Glad to help....make sure Jen gets the word that we're playing nice.....

Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top