Sage Grouse

[SMAbby]

I am SERIOUSLY co sidering going out to chase some this fall. I am going to try Wyoming, self guided.
Anyone from that area that can tell me the best way to protect the hounds from heat and beat up feet, as well as the best wardrobe I should wear for the climate and cover, it would be of great help.

Specifically, if I took all 3 dogs, how do I keep the ones left behind cool?
I do t normally hunt super hot weather.

Thanks

[carramrod]

I hunted Montana a couple years ago. No real precautions other than we hunted along water which works well since that's where the birds want to be anyway.

It'll likely be hot and dry... Except when it isn't. We hunted mostly early morning to avoid the heat.

The cactus we're a little tough on some of their feet in the area we hunted.

[SMAbby]

Thanks

[RowdyGSP]

Keep in mind with sage grouse if you hunt them in the morning, they are bound to be VERY jumpy. It can be quite hard to get close to them over a point if you're hunting when it's cool in September (sunrise to a few hours after). This is certainly better for the dogs, but for some reason the birds tend to hold much better later in the morning or early afternoon. I have a crate fan (battery powered) that hooks onto the crate door and blows on the dog to help keep them cool in the crate in the shade somewhere, for the dog that's not hunting at the time. Good luck! Sage grouse are a blast, so to speak.

[orhunter]

I hunted them around Winnett, lots of birds but that wasn't recently. They're easy to kill despite their size. The dog may hesitate to fetch because they're really foul fowl. I won't eat 'em.

[RowdyGSP]

I would disagree with Harvey on their tablefare and dog retrieving them. Both of my dogs I've shot sage grouse over retrieved them just as happily as any other bird. And I treat them like duck. Cooked medium-rare in any recipe you'd use for duck or venison backstrap they are phenomenal. Seared with some bacon around them or teriyaki glazed and seared. If you like curry dishes, I also once made an excellent sage grouse curry. One of my favorite birds to eat.

[carramrod]

Agreed on the disagreement. I thought they were fantastic just grilled medium rare at best. They come preseasoned.

[orhunter]

"They come pre-seasoned." Thanks, I needed that.

[SMAbby]

All good stuff guys, I thank you very much.
Trying to figure out who to take will be more difficult.
Max, 10, is losing his rear.
Baja, 8, shoulder
Anka, 4, Not very heat tolerant. Narrow chest.
Jago, 8 weeks, well, he us 8 weeks.

I have to go between the 23 and 30th because of a judging weekend.

But that works out as I think I can pretty much hunt back home and hit Nebraska or the Dakotas.
I have shot chickens, but no sharpies.

Times is a ticking.

[carramrod]

"They come pre-seasoned." Thanks, I needed that.

We grilled up their hearts the day we killed our first few and wasn't sure they would taste to good after trying that. Hearts were strong to quite strong...


The breast and leg meat was fantastic. Although it always is when you eat it in the field.

[RowdyGSP]

"They come pre-seasoned." Thanks, I needed that.

We grilled up their hearts the day we killed our first few and wasn't sure they would taste to good after trying that. Hearts were strong to quite strong...


The breast and leg meat was fantastic. Although it always is when you eat it in the field.

Same with goose hearts of any species. The specks and some Canada's may taste good with breast and leg meat, but the hearts are like biting into a soft chunk of molten iron.