I knew I had to unload the T/C 12 gauge New Englander so I could clean it. I was just going to walk out the back door and blast it off, but saw some snow falling. I kind of guessed the grouse might head early to the Black Cherry trees or the Alder thickets. So I put on my boots and took a walk around the trails I have cut through my woods. I happened to jump this little one right about where I figured them to be gathering. I got her on the way up out of the thicket, and hardly touched anything but her head. I was real happy with that, so I loaded up another round and kept walking.
As I crunched through the snowI heard something moving up ahead so I froze and dropped to one knee. Out walked two does about 40 yards from me. I hunched down there watching them and what do I see, a second grouse walking out past the deer. So now I have a choice, jump up and flush the grouse, scare the deer, or ground swat the grouse (which I hate to do actually).
Well the deer all of a sudden started staring at me. I saw the bigger one doing the ears forward and the front hoof stomping, so I knew I was going to be busted soon. The deer finally decided they had no I idea what I was, but wanted no part of it. They wheeled around, the grouse flushed and I watched all of them disappear in to the thicket.
Still it was a good day. I then walked back to the house, and finally fired off the New Englander so I could clean it..
Unloading the 12 gauge New Englander
