Hunting partridge makes autumn special

The golden rays of the autumn sun cast a soft glow on the changing colors of maples or birch along the slopes or edges of wet spots. There is a crispness in the air and the pungent aroma of newly fallen wild apples mingle with the other aro- mas that seem to mark the autumn highlands.

That was the scene last weekend when my friend George Franke and I hunted the woodlands up on Mohawk Hill between West Leyden and Constableville. We hunted various sec- tions of the Mohawk Springs State Forest which were mixed cover with intersecting dirt truck trails. One of the days, our friends Deborah and John Brosen joined us in pursuit of grouse (a.k.a. “partridge.”)

Our main strategy was to have one hunter walk along the truck trail while the other walked parallel through woods and checking likely cover. As typical, the birds would often flush through thick cover in the opposite direction.

On one stalk, it was George’s turn to be the “bird dog.” He stepped briskly through the tangle of scrub apples, black

berry briars and underbrush while pausing to enjoy the sights and smells of his favorite times of year. He anticipated the f lush of grouse from his familiar covers, yet enjoyed the beautiful day and the sights and smells of autumn.

Suddenly there was the sound like a muffled explosion, followed close behind by another one, and the sound of the rapid whir of wings as two grouse rocket from the ground cover for the safety of a nearby evergreen patch. George dropped the first bird with a clean shot while the second bird flew behindme for the safety of the other side of the road.

You can tell that a person is from northern New York or the Adirondacks because we always refer to grouse as “partridge.” There is something special about partridge (grouse) hunting that defies easy explanation. Certainly there is the challenge of hitting these unpredictable and elusive birds. There is the majesty of the bird itself. In addition to being interesting and exciting, there is a wildness about grouse. They cannot be tamed or raised in captivity, and that seems to make themall the more special.

A lot of the charm of grouse hunting lies in the habitat they are found in. The old overgrown pastures, the second growth woodlots and the alder runs where brooks trickle down a wooded hillside are some of the most scenic and interesting spots. There are few spots that I would rather be than on some wooded ridge on a sunny autumn day amidst the colors, sights and sounds of rural America, a scene that is vanishing in many areas.

Finding grouse basically involves hunting the edges or areas of second growth. Although you will find a few in the deep woods, it is the mix of food and cover that attracts grouse and allows them to survive. Second growth of old abandoned pastures, logged over woodlots or areas where the sunlight penetrates the forest canopy and brings a variety of food sources are the areas where grouse thrive. In winter their main food is buds from aspen trees so these are usually in close proximity. Add some thick evergreens such as hemlock or spruce for shelter from predators like goshawks, and you have grouse habitat.

Unfortunately much of our best grouse habitat is being lost as the “edge” or second growth turns into mature forests which do not support large numbers of grouse. But fortu- nately there are still areas throughout upstate New York where dairy farms or logging provides habitat.

Although I was familiar with the area of Constableville from many years ago, I had a chance to be reacquainted with it last weekend at a gathering of the New York State Outdoor Writers’ Association in Lewis County. Scott Locorini, owner of Adirondack Exposure Guide Service helped guide anglers while giving hunters the locations to pursue grouse or turkeys. Many sportsmen are familiar with Scott because of his kayak and fishing lessons, guided kayak, fishing or camping trips and other outdoor adventures.

Contact him at scott@ adirondackexposure com, or (315) 335-1681 for more information.

Most hunters believe in pausing frequently while going through grouse cover. Experience tends to show that it is the pauses that make a grouse nervous, thinking it has been spotted, and causing it to flush. Take care and pause in areas where you have a reasonable chance at getting off a shot.

Some hunters prefer No. 6 shot because of the heavier pellets, while others insist on No. 7 ½. It really doesn’t take many, or very large pellets to bring down a grouse; the trick is getting your pellets to meet up with the elusive bird. For that reason many like No. 7 ½ early in the season when the cover is thicker and shots are quicker on the theory that more pellets increases your chance of hitting one.

Although the season lasts until the end of February and it is always fun and exciting to hunt grouse, it is late September and October that most of us relish. There is something special about being outdoors in autumn with falling leaves, geese overhead and an autumn haze along the horizon. The setting and the pleasant days make a day afield chasing grouse something to remember until the next year rolls around.

SHORT CASTS

Fishing Report: Anglers are eagerly awaiting the salmon run on the Salmon River and other tributaries but very few fish have ascended the river as of last weekend. People thought that the cold rain a week ago would trigger the run but others feel that their biological clocks are behind schedule this season for some reason. Different reports said that the river saw a lot of angling pressure but very few fish. For daily reports check Whitaker’s Sports Shop at Whitakers.com/ blog/dailyreport. Trout Season Ending: Trout fishing season will end on most streams throughout New York State next week on October 15. The regular season for brown, brook and rainbow trout will be closed until next spring. This does not apply to tributaries of Lake Ontario where trout fishing up to the first barrier or dam is permitted all year to allow for steelhead or fall run brown trout fishing. There are also sections of area streams such as Oneida Creek or Chittenango Creek that are open all year. Check the special regulations by county of the Fishing Regulations Guide for the open seasons on certain waters. Reel Drag: Even though there will still be good fishing for bass and other species for another few weeks, many people will be putting away their fishing tackle after this coming weekend. But don’t just toss it out of the way. Store it properly so that it will be in good condition next year. Rods should be carefully stored so they won’t be damaged or take a “set” and unused monofilament should be stored in a cool, dark area away from sunlight. But the most important thing is to lighten the drag on your reels. Leaving the drag tight or with too much tension on it for long periods of time can ruin your drag, so put down this column and go down and release the drag on all your reels now! Lewis County Visitors Guide: Area outdoorsmen are familiar with Lewis County’s great system of snowmobile trails and the abundant snowfall. But some may not be aware of the variety of excellent fishing, hunting, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. The Lewis County Visitors Guide contains listings of events, accommodations, services, and excellent maps. It also has a listing of waters and fish species, locations for canoeing, bird watching, hunting, ATV riding, and of course skiing. To obtain your free copy of the Adirondack Tug Hill Visitors Guide contact the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce, 7576South State St., Lowville, NY 13367.