The New York herald., 1922-11-26
GROUSE SHOOTING
THRILLING SPORT
Wary Game Bird; q Fayorite in
Forest OR at Festive
~ Board.
by WILL WILDWOOD.

BY WILL WILDWOOD.
Probably no American game bird is
more widely distributed. and mono bet
ter appreciated wherever found. than
| the ruffed grouse, better known as
partridge I'm the Eastern States, and
pheasant In tho Middle and some of tho
Western States. 1t Is bird of the
wilderness, not Of the sblithesome and
cumberless' order. but shy, solitary and
difficult OF approach does not lie well
| to the point of setter or pointer. and
therefore, lacks the quality SO note
worthy IN the quail, yet these very dis
advantages make the pursuit attractive
to many who find rare pleasure in
ruffed grouse shooting.
With the rapid destruction Of forest
areas the partridge has decreased in
number to such an extent that none can
be found to-day in localities where the
| birds were formerly quite plentiful, and
| tffs scarcity has necessitated shorter
! open seasons as well as smaller lag
limits in nearly all States.
Grouse Arc Wary.
The wariness OF the ruffed grouse,
the close thiclets and woodlands which
form its favorite coverts, combiye IN
make it not only difficult OF approach
by dogs trained to range wide and fast
as In quail hunting, but hard to shoot
in the early part of the season. while
the forest is in full foliage. and the fly
ing bird "can be seen only with the eye
of faith" as J. Cypress. Jr. has ex-
pressed 1t. Later, when frosts have
killed the leaves, and open glades are
revealed, the sportsman who shoots with
GOODNESS and promptitude finds little
difficulty in bringing down the swift fy-
Ing partridge as it usually takes
straightway course. but the whirr OF
wings as it rises is always disconcert-
ing to the novice.
Much has been written. and, various
theories advanced, concerning the allur-
ing and vibrant drumming of the ruffed
grouse--literally a can to arms, as the
woodland drummer beats his wings in
manner to be heard long distance,
yet hard to locate by rowing lad ior pur-
suing nimrod. sf-o. - -ts
Good November shooting.
Many sportsmen prefer late Novem-
bcr partridge shooting to that of late
October, when the season opens in most
States. as the leaves form a carpet for
the feet instead of veil between the
! eyes and the flying birds. A dog well
trained in this branch of sport is as
highly priced as rare. the reason be-
ing that most settlers and pointers are
developed for quail hunting. and par
fridge hunting Is of such different char
tacter that it is hard matter to find
a ''gun dog" proficient In both lines.
While the work OF a stanch, sagacious
dog is one Of the very enjoyable fea-
lures of the sport, as in most other
branches of upland shooting. very fair
success may be had. under favorable
conditions, by still hunting without a
| dog, the best method in such case be-
ing for two shooters to carefully fol-
Flow through coverts frequented by par
| tridges, the sportsmen Keeping "a short
and safe distance apart. ready for any
bird rising before them. 1t is by no
means the ideal mode. but may be made
fairly practical in emergency.
! In some instances-rare rather than
common-clumber epaniels and cocker
spaniels have been trained to do good
service in hunting ruffed grouse in
American coverts. but the caution re-
quired to prevent premature flushing
of the birds is so much greater than
in hunting woodcock. for which the
cocker is best adapted, that few. train
ers will take the time and pains to de-
velop either of these breeds for par
fridge hunting. There are possibilities.
however, wellN worth considering by
owners and breeders OF cluubers and
cookers to perfect tho latent hunting
instincts of these dogs, now mainly
used for bench show purposes and as
household pets, SO that utility may be
once more attained for genuine sport
ing breeds.
Best Localities.
In New York State the season for
ruffed grouse shooting Is still open on
Long Island, where tho closing date is
December 81, and I'm the nearby counties
--Westchester, Sullivan and Orange
where the sport may be enjoyed until
November 80. Unfortunately the open
grounds. available TO the general public,
are not numerous. the majority OF places
where the partridge II 90 be found in
It's Wild state being closed to all except
fortunate owners or lessees. There are
exceptions, mainly in Orange and Sulii-
van counties. and little time remains
for the shooter who would enjoy this
exhilarating sport with dog and gun
In one OF the most picturesque portions
of the Empire State. The bag limit is
two grouse per day. ten a season.
Pennsylvania offers better advantages
for ruffed grouse shooting than any of
the nearer resorts can give. and the
distance is not great from New York city
to the forests OF Clearneld, ELK ana
Cameron counties--probably the best
game lands OF the Keystone State for
this branch OF sport. Tho open season
is comparatively short November 130)
but there is still time for a shooting
trip in the wilds OF Pennsylvania. and
the bag limit OF three birds per day
fifteen season of ruffed grouse or
partridge-wiIl prove enticfng to those
who may and a mixed bag desirable,
quail being fairly plentiful. and the daily
limit eight; nonresident license fee So.