Thursday, October 30, 2014

CLAYTON. The making of a.......... grouser

Took Clayton to Twin Moose. He was the only boy in a camp full of (over educated) men.  He relished in the weekend.


Thanks to Uncles Keith, Bill, Josh and Rich for mentoring him in the ways of life. Of poker: "it doesn't work if you bluff every hand" (Stedman, 2014).

Big Twin Moose Pond, with Uncle Keith. A life altering experience: connecting the labor and engineering of a little rodent with this incredible ecosystem. Moments after this photo was taken he turned to me, "this is the best hunt.... ever."



With his trophy: a perfect walking stick, ramrod straight, bark stripped by beaver.


 Draped in oversized, hand-me-down hunting vest (with lots of pockets for collecting rocks, leaves and other treasures), he fought a myriad of distractions and wet feet to keep up.


Summiting the highest point on Mnt. Clayton, with Uncle Rich goading him on (walking stick to right). Only minutes after flushing our first grouse of the day.



Bellying up to the bar at Big Moose Station. Life is good.

At Canoga Creek Conservancy, on the way to Twin Moose. Earning himself the radio handle, "Squirrel."

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

2014 Grouse Camp -- Twin Moose ADKs

We had a great time at Twin Moose!  In camp we had Clayton, Pete, Bill S., KGT, Rich, and Josh.  We were pretty short on dogs, with Lilly and Maya getting all of the work (and Brant guarding the camp mostly). Despite over 35 flushes before the close of camp on Monday night (and about a dozen more throughout the week while deer hunting after), we were unable to kill any grouse.  We did, however, have a great time together, and I felt immense joy about the camp being full of great old friends.

 On the last day, Josh and I went out for a leisurely stroll with guns, with Brant.  We worked up a rabbit and as I shot it, a grouse flushed from over head.  So went Grouse Camp at Twin Moose.  We established that there is indeed a healthy grouse population right on the property, and certainly on the many thousands of acres adjacent.

I hope other grousers will post pics...