Grouse opener!

I was going to go, but a buddy backed out on me... (Sniffle, sniffle).  What a good buddy huh?  Leave a guy hangin' like this.... Geesh.... I'm miserable now....  Good luck GG, Go Whack Em!

Big J

I'm thinking about it. There seems to be more around here than there has in the past few years.

I have been counting the days for quite some time now. Can't go Saturday, but plan on putting many miles on Sunday (if my ankle lets me)

My dog's remote for his training collar is broke, so back to hand commands and the whistle I guess. It'll still be fun to watch him work.

will be out with my brothers for opener...south east of Stanley

bullheadmaster Said:
I was going to go, but a buddy backed out on me... (Sniffle, sniffle).  What a good buddy huh?  Leave a guy hangin' like this.... Geesh.... I'm miserable now....  Good luck GG, Go Whack Em!

Big J

Blame my wife and sister in law!  Of all the weekends.......

bullheadmaster Said:
I was going to go, but a buddy backed out on me... (Sniffle, sniffle).  What a good buddy huh?  Leave a guy hangin' like this.... Geesh.... I'm miserable now....  Good luck GG, Go Whack Em!

Big J

I'm part of the cheese and whine crowd too.......  Good luck guys.  Go get'em.

bullheadmaster Said:
I was going to go, but a buddy backed out on me... (Sniffle, sniffle).  What a good buddy huh?  Leave a guy hangin' like this.... Geesh.... I'm miserable now....  Good luck GG, Go Whack Em!

Big J

I'M HERE HUCKELBERRY......................

I know where a group of Huns are that will get the smackdown on Sat or Sun.  Tasty little buggers.

My Wire Hair was locking up on coveys of huns left and right while we were dove hunting...couple more days! YUMO!

Damn right I'm going out!

gillgetter. Said:
Who else is ready to put some miles on the boots in pursuit of one of North Dakota's native birds?   I've got a new dog that is chomping at the bit to get out and point some birds.  I am pretty excited about this season.  Last year my other GSP got hit by a car the night before opener and I ended up taking the whole upland season off.  I'm ready to make up for lost time.  Come on Saturday, hurry up.

Oh my lord that is a horrible story from last year.  I will be hunting with shorthairs for grouse on saturday morning as well.  Good luck

Any good way to cook the dark red meated birds?

 I just breast them out, then marinate them in mesquite.  Grill, but don't over cook.  (medium at most) Taste dam near like steak.  I say again, don't overcook or they will be more like leather.

gillgetter. Said:
 I just breast them out, then marinate them in mesquite.  Grill, but don't over cook.  (medium at most) Taste dam near like steak.  I say again, don't overcook or they will be more like leather.

yup, grouse meat is awesome

Sear the breasts in butter with salt and pepper for 1 minute on a side.  Don't overcook like has been said before.  Slice thin like roast beef and put on garlic bread.  Serve with a steamed vegetable side of your choice and a bottle of red wine.

Good stuff!

WSWAT Said:
Any good way to cook the dark red meated birds?

Feed the grouse to the dog and buy a chicken. he he

WSWAT Said:
Any good way to cook the dark red meated birds?

Wrap them in bacon....hhmmmmm bacon.....you can buterfly them and stuff them ... did I mention to wrap them in bacon !!!!

WSWAT Said:
Any good way to cook the dark red meated birds?

i slice them up first.  this helps make sure you don't serve any shot up pieces that have blood in them to your company.  that will wreck their desire for game birds faster than anything.  season them w/ whatever... ms. dash... salt and pepper... maybe marinate in soy and tobasco for an hour or so... then grill hot and fast... a couple of minutes max on both sides.  they will be some of the most tender tasty morsels a guy can eat.  do the same thing w/ my pheasants and huns too. 

i deal w/ the legs too.  but, just the thigh part and not the calves (sp) cause they ain't worth pulling tendons all day, imho.  peel back the skin and feathers... grab a hold and pull them right off the carcass.  i separate the thigh with a knife or scissors.  the thighs don't stay quite so tender.  i figure its cause they take a little longer to cook all the way thru.  so, i use them in my casserole/crock pot dishes.  for the finicky eaters, its best to take the meat off the bone first, chop into small pieces and maybe even brown them in some oil and seasoning before you throw them into the crock pot.  if done right, they won't have any idea its a game bird. 

and HELL YES... i'll be chasing grouse this weekend.  for the last 8-10 years or so its been the most awaited weekend of the year for this guy... means that bird season has officially begun and me and the dogs can start doing what we were made to do...tis the most wonderful time of the year!!!

yeah their are lots of birds around and i cant wait to get out on sunday... my english setter is ready for the season im goin north and west of Stanley...lots of birds good luck guys

Im heading out friday at noon to the same spot i have hunted for 32 years. I can hardley wait to hear the first flush gluk gluk.