18 replies to this topic

[Eric Mayer]

After being drawn for this hunt, I wanted to try and hunt my sage grouse with a pellet rifle. After arriving up north and checking things out, I knew it couldn't happen with a pellet rifle. The birds were too jumpy, maybe from all the archery deer hunters, but we took care of them with shotguns instead.Saturday morning I pulled into our first spot just after sunrise and flushed out two grouse. We loaded up and went looking for them. Within 30 minutes I had my permit filled. My daughter was right there next to me when it was shot.http://www.varminter.com/images/misc/sagegrouse1.jpgThat afternoon we went after some for my wife, as all of them in the morning were flushing a bit out of shotgun range. She jumped about 7 and shot one that did a death glide into the sage. My daughter and I got to see the whole thing, it was great. Anyways, searched around a bit and found it crumpled up right where she marked it. This is her first shotgun kill and first bird kill. It's only been ground squirrels up until now. She was amped and it made for a great ending to a perfect day.http://www.varminter.com/images/misc/sagegrouse2.jpgJust a note about some other things. The biologist in the area was very nice, checked my bird in and gave some informative info about finding out the juvenile bird's sex. Also met up with two good guys from down south, with their springers, who were also successful. TONS of birds and a beautiful place to hunt!!Eric A. Mayer

[Soreloser]

Are you telling me that the limit is 1 bird a piece???

[Eric Mayer]

1 bird a piece, two days to hunt and you have to get drawn (I've been putting in for a long time).It was one of the most memorable turn-around hunts I've ever had. We got up there Friday night and got home today at noon.Eric A. Mayer

[Soreloser]

Wow, if it weren't for the family experience, I don't think it would be worth the effort. But family makes everything worth it.Good job to you and especially the wife.

[ShooterJohn]

Very nice Eric. It was a long trip but a worthwhile one. I was hoping you'd be able to score with the Air rifle but the high point must have been having Debbie get her first bird. Great photos and a terrific family experience. Those pictures tell it all in the smiles on everyones faces. Thank you for sharing.

[Shoot-it]

I wouldn't go on a long trip too shoot one bird WOW thats crazy . Thats my opinion .Thats good you limited out on your trip.....

[ShooterJohn]

I wouldn't go on a long trip too shoot one bird WOW thats crazy . Thats my opinion .Thats good you limited out on your trip.....

I shot them before you had to be drawn for them. But look at the number of people that travel out of state for other types of hunts. If you're a real hunter and serious about shooting different species you have to go where they are. Plus being drawn for the hunt is a pretty important factor in itself. I happen to know his original idea was to hunt them with an airgun too. So that's a pretty special opportunity. I wish it would have worked out that way for him but he got to watch his wife get one too. All is all a great family experience.

[Bozsik]

That's so cool to be able to have the whole family for the event. I love going out with my two kids. How did you luck out and have both of you drawn? Was it a Family Hunt? DFG sometimes has those.db

[Eric Mayer]

Well, I've been putting in for this hunt for about 8 to 10 years. Only this year did I get drawn. Now, perhaps it is because this is the first year my wife is really hunting, but not only did we get drawn for this hunt, but we got drawn for the muzzleloader, either-sex hunt down here in Ventura county. With NO points! That is some tough odds, but we got it.Anyways, back to this hunt. There has been a battle waged from the anti-hunting folks to list the Sage Grouse on the "Threatened Species" list here in California. That would mean no more hunting until they were removed. We all know if they were listed, that would never happen. So, being drawn for this hunt and actually getting our birds is quite a feat on it's own. The fact that my daughter was standing right next to me when I shot mine was another great experience. Lastly, this was my wife's first kill of anything other than ground squirrels. She only learned to shoot a shotgun two weeks ago, but she did a great job of sneaking up on them and keeping her cool when these monster birds flushed. All I said when she headed out was "pick one, concentrate on shooting it and follow through". She did just that and got her bird. The three of us had a big hug and my wife cradled her bird on the walk back to the truck. She was amped!!I'm now looking to get her a nice little 20 gauge and she wants to hunt down some quail when the season opens. You can't beat that!!To top it all off, we love the Eastern Sierras, so a trip up there is never out of the way. Being able to hunt almost anything while up there only adds to the enjoyment.Eric A. Mayer

[ShooterJohn]

Well said Eric.

[Shoot-it]

I shot them before you had to be drawn for them. But look at the number of people that travel out of state for other types of hunts.

Yes if you go out of state for deer and elk you are bringing back a few hundred pounds of meat..........too each there own .Sounds like he had a good family experience thats worth it.

[ShooterJohn]

Johnny....I've seen a lot of out of state hunters bring back zip too....

[Thumper Dunker]

Thats is so cool. Shoot It trophies come in all sizes.

[Eric Mayer]

Update!! My wife bought a Franchi 48AL Short Stock in 20 Gauge on Sunday, so she will be ready to go come quail season. This gun is super light (5 1/4 lbs.) and will kick a bit, but she doesn't mind that so much.Eric A. Mayer

[ShooterJohn]

It won't kick bad and it will swing fast. Good choice for a quail gun.

[Bozsik]

Never heard of the brand, but that doesn't mean a thing. If you can hit something with it, no complaints. Sounds like you are set now.db

[ShooterJohn]

Here's a picture.

[Eric Mayer]

Yep, that's it. Imported by Benelli, warranteed by Benelli and it uses the auto-5 type ejection system. I have rarely read any complaints about it.I'm also going to pick-up a 20 gauge O/U from a friend for myself, so we will be set for some family bird hunting, in-between predator calling!! btw, the 28 gauge at the top is a sweet little gun as well...Eric A. Mayer

[ShooterJohn]

The 28ga is a very nice gun to shoot but it is awfully difficult to beat a 20ga for upland game bird hunting. The availability of shells is so much better too. Some small town wouldn't have 28ga shells. I have an old Ithaca 20ga side by side that was my grandfather's and i love it. It's my favorite for quail hunting because its light weight and really fast to swing. I just like break open guns I guess, plus it was my grandfather's.