Written By: Zack Pine. Tannersville, NY
Grouse hunting is a game of miles, of constantly striking out. A game of humility and of patience.
Grouse hunting is getting spooked by a flushed bird at your feet, not being ready, being trigger shy, never fully seeing the bird, my first grouse I almost shot I had a beautiful flush, had the bead of my gun on him went to pull the trigger and nothing, the safety was on and the grouse was gone. After that, Is when I started practicing switching off the safety as I raise the butt my gun to my cheek.
Grouse hunting is learning from your mistakes and coming back ready the next time. It is said grouse hunting is the one of the most instinctive forms of shooting there is because it happens so fast between the moment you kick up that bird to the amount of time you have to shoot before it thunders it’s wings and roars away. If you wait for a clear shot on a grouse you will be waiting a lifetime. The first two and only grouse l’ve shot to date I didn’t have a good eye on. I heard the flush raised my gun and shot in the direction my body told me too, I honestly barely knew what happened, not like my other flushes I’ve had where a bird rose up through the trees I raised my gun, tried to aim shot twice and watched the bird fly away , these successful times I walked through a wall of pines and there was a bird on the other side, what I’ve surmised is the ONLY way to grouse hunt is in a relaxed maybe have just drank two beers state of mind. You need your subconscious to hunt for you , If you’re fully conscious you will be thinking about what just happened as the Grouse flies away. You don’t have time for that. First off I hike up a hill coupled with the fact I think I’m getting close to a bird that’s going to explode out of the trees somewhere right in front of me and my heart is probably beating 200 beats per min I can’t tell if it’s the thumping of a grouses wings or my own heart so I stop and breath for awhile then continue.
