Opening day in northern NH.

[WheelhorseBob 1,549]

My favorite season is upon me. I love the fall and all that goes with it. In NH October 1 is the first day of hunting season for people who chase upland game. Couple pics from my adventures. Phone says I walked 21000 steps and I enjoyed every one.

[8ntruck 6,991]

A hike in woods like that would make me forget that I was hunting. 

[troutbum70 857]

I love side by sides. What is the one in your picture? Maybe a 20 or 28 gauge?

[ebinmaine 67,311]

6 hours ago, WheelhorseBob said:

I enjoyed every one

 

5 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

A hike in woods like that would make me forget that I was hunting. 

 

Absolutely beautiful. 

We do live in some incredible country eh Bob?

 

[WheelhorseBob 1,549]

5 hours ago, troutbum63 said:

I love side by sides. What is the one in your picture? Maybe a 20 or 28 gauge?

As do I. I’m particularly fond of AH Fox. I have a 20, 16 and 12. The picture is of my 1908 A grade 12. I use Vintager 2 1/2” spreader loads as it is choked modified and full. Next outing will be the 20, as I like to get them all out at least once a season.

[Maxwell-8 4,275]

Looks like it was a nice adventure. That's what hunting is all about!

 

What animal is that? Have never seen one like that.

[WheelhorseBob 1,549]

50 minutes ago, Maxwell-8 said:

Looks like it was a nice adventure. That's what hunting is all about!

 

What animal is that? Have never seen one like that.

Around here that is called a Partridge. Most people would know it as a Ruff Grouse.

[troutbum70 857]

2 hours ago, WheelhorseBob said:

As do I. I’m particularly fond of AH Fox. I have a 20, 16 and 12. The picture is of my 1908 A grade 12. I use Vintager 2 1/2” spreader loads as it is choked modified and full. Next outing will be the 20, as I like to get them all out at least once a season.

And of course AH Fox has been a staple for many many years, and yours looks like a beautiful piece. I preferred side by's are also older the Ithaca skb's mainly the skb 280's as I very much prefer the english style stock. For my upland bird hunting I prefer improved/modified and like you folks up in your country we here in north central Pa we have a very high population of ruffed grouse. We also happen to be on a good fly way for woodcock when they are making their journey. 

[rmaynard 15,428]

Beautiful Bob! I'm headed to the mountains of West Virginia on Wednesday. Hope that it's at least half as beautiful as your trip.

[peter lena 8,583]

@WheelhorseBob they are indicating a truly spectacular color fall , due to all the rain we had , btw , lots of fly tying feathers on that bird , pete 

[ebinmaine 67,311]

7 minutes ago, peter lena said:

spectacular color fall

We're certainly headed the right way for it already here in Southern Maine

 

Two or three weeks we're going to go 50 miles or so North to walk around the mountains for a bit. Should be some good views.

 

[Skwerl58 702]

Great pictures and a great bird. I also enjoy hunting but the grouse are getting scarce here in VA. I was shocked when I got up a small covey of quail while deer hunting last year. I also enjoy seeing the old doubles and have a newer Savage Fox B, 12 with M and IC. I got my Savage B from J.C. Penneys aroung 1974. They had the Stevens 311 on sale and had this one also for $99.99. I bought it for dove shoots and rabbit hunting. Never had the chance to go after grouse with it. The older AH Fox guns are truly a great shotgun and my Savage has been a great one for me. I hope you get to spend many more hours int the woods!

[JCM 9,130]

Beautiful country Bob. I would assume that river/stream holds some nice native square tails?  Fly fishing only? Thanks for the pictures    

[WheelhorseBob 1,549]

50 minutes ago, JCM said:

Beautiful country Bob. I would assume that river/stream holds some nice native square tails?  Fly fishing only? Thanks for the pictures    

Yes it is managed for native brook trout. Fly fishing only and catch and release. Also very difficult to get to.

[WHX?? 48,798]

Quite a few grouse in northern WI but they do run in ten year cycles. I don't walk out the cabin door with out a .410 single in the fall.  In the market for .410 in a double. ever find one I like. 

 

[troutbum70 857]

Finding a .410 double is fairly easy, finding one I would prefer still fairly easy. Paying the price they bring for my wallet is unacceptable, I have the very first gun it is a .410 bolt action single shot. My parents gave it to me for christmas when I was 11, and has taken a huge amount of game over the last 58 years. 

[Darb1964 1,042]

I've always wanted a side by side myself, other than white tailed deer ruffled grouse is my favorite game. I'm not physically able to get after them anymore but have some great memories chasing them with my brothers and friends.

When I was a kid we would sit in my grandparents upper pasture and the wood cock migration was right there. The last two hour hours of light was great shooting.

My parents bought me my first shotgun, a sixteen gage Winchester model twelve used, mod. I still have it, I've taken many deer and other game with it.

[WheelhorseBob 1,549]

What a great thread this has turned into!! Darb, memories are why we are here. Someday soon I will not be able to chase them but the memories will live on. I too have my first two shotguns, a 410 single my older brothers bought me and a 12 gauge Kmart SxS made by boito in Brazil. Again bought by my brothers as a birthday gift. That old side by side was bigger than me and saved the life of a good many Partridge and Woodcock!!! If any of you love this as I do, please read a Burton Spiller book. Burton is from the town I live in and had a passion for grouse at the turn of the last century. I have a partridge fan tail to put on his grave in my truck. Just gotta get over there! Oh and for you guys who like side by sides a treat!!!

 

Edited October 4, 2021 by WheelhorseBob

[WHX?? 48,798]

2 hours ago, Darb1964 said:

My parents bought mue my first shotgun, a sixteen gage Winchester model twelve used, mod. I still have it

Ah yes the sweet 16 my favorite guage..... and then in a Model 12 at that! Don't you ever sell that one! 

Shot trap for many years and the Winnie 12 in 12 was my go to. Traded up to a Citori O/U once but went right back to Winnie. Too much ribbing from the guys when I couldn't run 25's anymore!  Still a nice gun to carry in the woods as well as over a trap or s keet house or clays but for grouse and woodcock a bit much. A 16 filled that order nicely. 

 

I like your talk Bum about a 410 in S x S but for me the price doesn't matter as long as if feels right. Kinda like my wife. So far I have yet to find one that does. The shotgun not the missus that is. 

Edit: 

She costs me plenty but she collects her own paycheck and does let me buy tractors and guns.... what's not to love ?!??!

Edited October 5, 2021 by WHX??
speeling

[Darb1964 1,042]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

Ah yes the sweet 16 my favorite guage..... and then in a Model 12 at that! Don't you ever sell that one! 

Shot trap for many years and the Winnie 12 in 12 was my go to. Traded up to a Citori O/U once but went right back to Winnie. Too much ribbing from the guys when I couldn't run 25's anymore!  Still a nice gun to carry in the woods as well as over a trap or s keet house or clays but for grouse and woodcock a bit much. A 16 filled that order nicely. 

 

I like your talk Bum about a 410 in S x S but for me the price doesn't matter as long as if feels right. Kinda like my wife. So far I have yet to find one that does. The shotgun not the missus that is. 

Edit: 

She costs me plenty but she collects her own paycheck and does let me buy tractors and guns.... what's not to love ?!??!

I sent it to Simmons, I think was the company and had a rib put on and blued. It came out gorgeous. That was forty years ago and many outings ago, still looks good. I'll have it until I'm gone. When I was young and healthy I was lights out with it.  I retired it some years ago and bought a Smith and Weston super twelve from my brother. I put a scope on it and it has served me well.