Deke's Highland Grouse Hunt

Deke, the DU dog, had his first hunting excursion, not with ducks in the low, flatlands of the Mississippi Delta, but vertically chasing the elusive rough grouse high in the mountains over New Mexico.

Along for the hunt was Grayson Shaffer, Senior Editor for Outside Magazine (www.outsidemag.com) and Aileen Torres, website manager for the publication. Grayson has two Wildrose dogs; Danger, his chocolate is the oldest and 5-month old Cooper. Danger was our experienced flusher and Deke would do a bit of picking up of downed birds.

Tip: I keep my water dogs at heel when young on upland hunts, no quartering. Deke will first be trained as a lining dog for waterfowl and to retrieve upland birds. Teaching the zigzag quartering pattern too early to waterfowl dogs expected to pick long-range birds is confusing. We want to accomplish holding a straight line first so Deke stayed with me at heel.

The climb began at around 10,000 feet. I thought the trek up the slope was steep. Grayson did not even put Danger out at this level. Birds were to be found much higher. Thin air will pull the strength from the hunter and their dog. Grayson saved Danger's energy.

A brief stop for pictures then we took to the rugged country, home of the grouse. Danger began to trot steadily searching the edges of the fur timber and the open grass and choke berry lanes. We were tromping straight up over rocky terrain. I was more focused on my footing and remaining erect than watching for a flush. Danger stayed close and methodical.

Tip: Hunting any game bird in thick cover or where hunters are forced to move slowly as we were on the mountainside requires a dog to stay very close to the guns (range) and move slowly using lost of nose. Fast, stylish, nitro dogs will leave hunters behind in timber and on hillsides flushing game out of range. They make too much noise which can spook game. I found this to be true hunting grouse in the cutover timbers of Vermont last year as well. Close and slow works.

Danger's first flush was begun by Danger hearing the bird in the timber. He paused, listened, then moved in to capture the scent.

Tip: The Wildrose training method uses small bumpers, scented tennis balls and launched dummies each put into woods and thick cover while the dog's eyes are covered. Dogs have acute hearing. Develop their ability to mark by sound. Danger heard the single well before the scent.

We continued to climb and did find a number of birds which cause one to forget briefly the need for oxygen at 12,000 feet. Deke spent hours at heel and was very steady to flush and shot. He never put a foot wrong and was quite controllable.

Tip: Exceptional heel work is imperative on a grouse hunt due to the rough terrain experienced. A slow climb up the rocky slope, scuffling down steep hillsides on loose rock, negotiating logs and climbing around boulders will be required. An unruly dog at heel will not only be a nuisance; it will be a hazard.

Deke did extremely well. All the hours we shared on trails preparing for his Adventure Dog Certification paid off. Despite how slow I was, he stayed behind and never interfered with the footing of any hunter. He was patient, carefully watched our movements and paced his gait. He was 100% on the trail plus rock steady to flush, shot and danger quartering right out front.

High altitude hunting was extremely rewarding. Beautiful scenery, solitude, the great companionship of sporting friends and fantastic Wildrose dogs, all in one of my favorite places on earth… the Rockies.

Visit our blog at www.outsidek9.com for more information on positive gundog training with Grayson and me.