Written by: Pete Pointer. Wheaton, IL
The ruffed grouse is found only in the heaviest habitat. When it takes off it does so at full speed (35 mph) and makes a lot of noise. You have approximately 1.5 seconds to hear it, spot it, raise your shotgun, take off the safety, aim and fire. My father, the most incredible shot I have ever known, said, as a general rule, for every 3 you hear you will see one, for every 3 you see you will get a shot at one and for every 3 you shoot at (if you are very good), you will get one. Tom, Scott and dad Pete hunt them in northern Wisconsin.
Why do we hunt?
You walk 6-8 miles a day at about 1 mph through heavy brush, over slippery leaves,
rocks and slash, up and down hills, in weather that is often too hot or too wet.
Sometimes you walk hours, your legs straining, your shoulders tired from carrying 6
pounds of shotgun at ready arms and a dozen shotgun shells, knife, GPS, and compass in your coat and pants, without even a flush!…why? I have thought about this, and regardless of a rational answer, I crave to come back for more. However, I will try to explain why I love the hunt and anticipate this event with such relish. Perhaps it is……..
The mental challenge of finding the right habitat by review of county forest unit
maps, USGS maps, google aerials and habitat maps (in some locations) to pick and
schedule the three days for maximum flushes the joy of stepping into the woods, free of the responsibilities and pressures of work, family and civic responsibilities, to smell the woods and see the colors and feel the freedom in God’s wonderful creation. The dramatic excitement when a feathered rocket launches from an unexpected place, at the unexpected time, and you test yourself to see if you can spot him, draw a bead and bring him down. Then the echo of gunfire, the smell of powder in the cool autumn air as you race to find a downed bird, or, shout to your partners, he got away…
Or the incredible colors of the fall forest. Or an encounter with a deer, a bear, an eagle, a wolf, an elk, a porky, a cougar, wild turkeys, rabbits, squirrels or even a small garter snake, and the incredible camaraderie that makes it a joyful and soul satisfying event (even without ever firing a shot) as we orchestrate our moves in the woods, clean birds and guns at the cabbage, enjoy dinner or talk on the drive up and back. And treat of all treats, our sumptuous picnic lunches and plinking, and even the packing up, the cleaning of guns and the shopping for luncheon treats.
Ah, I thank God for the experience of challenging myself, of experiencing God’s
marvelous creation, of fellowship and bonding with my beloved hunting partners. Amen
