Hikers enjoying this years fall foliage will not be alone!
Drumming counts increased 44-percent over 2008 numbers. Last years average drum count was 1.4. This year the state average is a staggering 2.4!
When I was 14, my dad gave me a single-shot 410. We’d travel north to Central Minnesota’s, Mille Lacs Wildlife Management Area just south of Lake Mille Lacs, hunting Grouse around clearcut logged fields and clover lined hunting trails.
Put into Contrast
There was a light dusting of snow over large piles of logged trees. The air was crisp and the grass frozen. A deep breath would fill your lungs with energy and your nose with natural pine sent.
My dad and his buddy Duane drove up early, so to get a good spot. I remember laying in the back seat listening to the car radio playing that song — the same song. The one I’d hear when leaving early to go duck or deer hunting.
It sounded like this: “Good-morning, Good-morning. Good morning to you.”
The smell of car coffee permeates my clothes, but would soon be replaced with the smell of gunpowder. I reached into the trunk to find my hunting boots. I always hated this part…. Why is it—when tying boots your hands hurt and ache from pulling on the boot laces?
Dressed in blaze orange gear, I’d anticipate the sounds of the hunt. I’d hear the rustling of shot gun shells and the click action of my dad’s 12-gauge shotgun being loaded. The dome light provided illumination, as the open car door would ding— always remembering to close the door quietly, so not to alert any birds close by.
I put my one shell into the chamber and tried snapping the breach closed. Either the gun was so new or my 14 year-old arms couldn’t snap it shut, so I’d use my knee as leverage. “Clunk!” my gun was loaded and I was ready.
We zig-zagged through the woods, following the yellow signs marked, WMA, Open to Public Hunting. After spending most of the morning walking without seeing a bird, we proceeded to head back to the car. As we approached a clearing Duane took the right, while I walked the left side of an old wood pile. All of a sudden, I heard the drum and explosive sounds of a grouse escaping to flight. I saw the flash of the bird and followed with my gun, “Boom!“ went my 410.
Duane also shot at the same time. He yells, “I got it!” I didn’t know fore sure whether I had hit it or not? Asking if I had shot, my dad said, “Maybe Scott got this one?” There was know way to tell for sure; or so I thought!
Later that night, my dad receives a call from Duane. Feeling really bad, he goes on to describe a large BB found while cleaning the bird — Only one very large BB from a 410 shotgun shell!
Well, it turns out that it was my grouse and my first bird I had ever shot! Duane returned the Grouse frozen and congratulated me on a fine shot.
FML Outdoors.com 
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