Cal Robinson is one of Maine’s great guides. In the summer, he chases striped bass along the coast. Come fall, he heads up to the Rangeley area where he sets his pointers loose and chases grouse and woodcock.
In the video above from Bird Dogs Afield, Cal explains the key mistakes most guys make when shooting ruffed grouse — and what you need to do to be a more effective shot.
You can learn a lot from magazines and books. But to really know something, you have to experience it. Bob Foshay has been guiding upland hunters in central Maine for twenty plus years. When it comes to experience with wild birds and bird dogs, he has plenty. A day in the field with Bob is like a master’s class in chasing grouse & woodcock. I look forward to it every year.
Bob turned 79 this year and he thinks this will be his final season of guiding. I’m grateful for the time we’ve spent in the field, and for all he taught me about bird dogs and grouse/woodcock hunting. I’ll miss him next year.
BTW: here’s a post I put up a few years ago about another trip I made with Bob.
The upland hunting season in Maine started on October 1st. But due to the crummy weather, my first day chasing grouse and woodcock was this past Saturday – 10/8. It was hot out all day – above 80 degrees at the peak – and the leaves were still up and very green. It looked like September. Right now fall’s about 2 weeks behind. I hope colder weather is on the way. I want those leaves down.
The hunting was hard. The thick cover and heat teamed up on us to make the shooting tough and the walking even harder. I went out with Master Maine Guide Bob Foshay. I’ve been hunting with Bob for the past 6 years. He’s 79 now and still going strong. We went out with his GSP Nelly and my girl Puck. In all, we moved 10 woodcock and 2 grouse – not bad. I shot two grouse. From here the season should only get better. Now if only those leaves would turn and drop.
