A boy's first grouse

[Dand]

Ok so it’s the doting father thing.  I’m too proud.  But we are rapidly proceeding through Alaska’s hunting seasons and this site could use some posts.  Besides we need to encourage our youth right?

What started to be a crummy weekend with rain, runny noses and sore throats ended pretty well.  Friday afternoon I took the boys to the range to try out a new 41 mag Marlin rifle I bought.  Took along the CZ Scout, .22 youth rifle, and a little BB gun rifle to let the boys shoot off the bench .  This is the third or 4th time my eldest (7) has shot the .22.  He’s done a little work with pellet rifles in the garage too. He has done amazingly well, shooting groups of 1/2 to 1 inch at 25-30 yards wit the .22 LR.  I really like that little CZ and its pretty nice with the little Beeman SS1 2.5x scope.  The 4 yr old would rather collect empties and play in the puddles.

Cabin fever struck Sunday afternoon.  So, to heck with sore throats, snuffly noses, and rain.  The three of us took a drive up Snake Lake road near Dillingham.  Fiddled around at the boat launch torturing stickle backs then hiked back in the brush another place.  No birds but plenty of rain and no rain gear.  Thinking we were done for the day we headed back.  

About a half mile later we come around a bend to see  5-7 spruce grouse in the road and two guys with a truck load of firewood watching.  They graciously let us pursue the birds and drive off – thanks guys for being good sports.  We spooked the birds off the road and headed into the brush with me harping about safety all the way; I pack the rifle.  Eldest spots one bird a good 35+ yds up in a tree.  Wish I had young eyes again- the birds are hard to see in the dark trees and rain.  We had to walk around a little to get a clear shot and I gave him the gun.  With me helping support the forearm he pops a shot and down comes a bird!  I had to put in a finisher shot as it was winged and hard for him to see over the grass to make a shot.   We went across the road and we jump another bird out of a tree and follow it back a ways. Finally I spot it about 25 yds out on a tree limb.  Son spots it, I hand him the rifle and again help hold the forearm.  Pow, and this bird is down for the count, pinwheeled in the breast.  The boy did all the sighting (took forever), and the way I stood I couldn't tell how he was lining up.  Clearly but he did fine.  He even called Gramma to tell her the news.  Darn, Grampa passed away 3 weeks ago – it would have been so nice to share this news with him.

Last night we had one fine dinner of grouse in noodles and sour cream sauce.  

'Bout all a guy could ask for in one weekend given the way it started out. Beast sitting in front of the TV.  

One other thing.  We’re shopping for a similarly small but brighter scope of low power.  We’re open to suggestions.  

May have to buy another Scout for the little guy now.  Doubt older bro’ is going to part with this one.

Here’s a picture with little bro’ helping with the pose.

[NONYA]

Great story!I remember my first grouse very well,I was sitting in my dads lap in the driver seat of our k5 blazer,i was probably 3 years old,he got the open sights all lined up and told me when to shoot,big pooof of feathers and beating wings,I flew out of the truck and ran after the blue grouse as it flapped down the hill,i think I flushed 2 other birds in my hurry to see my prize.I have a pic of me holding it up at the end of that day,my first hunt where I was a hunter.