Today was the last day of the Utah grouse season and the extended pheasant season, so I had to get out. There was a storm predicted for the afternoon, so we went up on the mountain first after ruffed grouse. It was somewhat slim pickin’s, but we had a great time. There seemed to be a lull before the storm; the weather was overcast, but calm and warm. We had one ruffed grouse flush wild out of range, but then had the dogs work up a blue grouse (dusky grouse) and had a picture-perfect flush through an open aspen stand and finished with a nice retrieve. In the early afternoon the weather turned noticeably colder, so I took the hint and left for lower country.
The extended pheasant hunt (on public lands, including the State Wildlife Management Areas) also closed today, so I thought I would see if I could get one last wild pheasant this season. By the time I got down to the WMA it was raining, which I took as a good sign. Often pheasants will be hunkered down in the rain and don’t run on you (a real problem late season on public land), and you can quietly get within range and have the dog work them up. It wasn’t to be, though. I walked for two hours in the rain and got so wet I had to wring my shotgun out. I didn’t see a bird, but still had a good time because I had the place completely to myself.
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