16ga.com ~ View topic - Traditional Grouse & Woodcock hunting with 16 ga double

Gentlemen,

The tradition of Grouse & Woodcock hunting in our family goes back many generations. The ultimate prize according our Grandfather was to shoot a True mixed double Grouse and Woodcock on the wing with a SXS 16 gauge double gun, I got to due it with my Grandmothers 28 gauge DHE Parker gun. Shooting flying was a major part of our traditional bird hunting, in our family a sportsman shot the birds on the wing, or did not shoot at all. Most all birds were to be pointed by a good bird dog, prior to any gunning. Our family owned mostly Ryman English Setter, Weimars, and Small Munsterlander gun dogs, for many generations. My brother an I added the GSP & Gordon Grouse dogs to our traditional family Grouse hunting in our life time. My brother went over to the dark side and started using O/U guns in his college days. Seldom will you see me with a O/U gun in my hands unless its on a Clays course, even went back to the SXS double guns for gun dog training.

Not many men or ladies get to shoot a true mixed double Grouse and Woodcock. In over 60 years of Grouse & Woodcock hunting I have only been given the chance to do it one time. According to my father God only hands out those opportunities sparingly. Very few times early in life, I was to be very grateful, and I am. I have been even more grateful the Lord let my Grandpa see me do it.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

We still hunt the Grouse & Woodcock even today.

Joined: 14 Feb 2017 Posts: 401

Dave, I enjoy reading your posts and hearing of the ling standing traditions of your family. Your love and admiration of the birds you hunt and the mountains you hunt on are a testament.

Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 2124 Location: Hudson,Wy

The closest I have come is a mixed double on dove and Gambels quail last winter or the occasional chukar/ hun double. Of course...we don't have woodcock here or anywhere I travel to.

hayseed,

Thanks buddy I appreciate the nice comment!

WyoChukar,

The Chukar/Hun true double would be fantastic, of course we have no Huns here in Pa that are not stocked and stocking them is by special permit only. Long ago we used Huns as training birds, the PGC ended that because they thought the Huns might be starting to propagate in our Pa forests. The funny thing is the PGC actually tried to stock them here in Pa at one time, however, it never took. I wish it would have been successful it would be great to have another bird in the Grouse family flourishing here in Pa.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man