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Author: David v. graham

Date: Thursday 11th of September 2008

Url: http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2008/08/its_not_too_early_to_gear_up_f.html

The middle of August may seem a little early to start writing about the small-game seasons that open in September, but it really isn't. The state's special goose season opens Sept. 1, and grouse season opens Sept. 15. The woodcock season opens Sept. 20. Those dates are going to seem like just a few naps and a snooze away come September.

Al Stewart, the state Department of Natural Resources' upland bird specialist, says early indications are that grouse hunters ought to see at least as many birds as last year, if not more. He said the state is just past the middle of the 10-year grouse population cycle, which should peak in 2010 or 2011.

Stewart said a DNR survey of grouse hunters found that they flushed an average of 2.2 birds per house last fall, compared with 1.81 birds in 2006. That is a 12 percent increase, he said.

Stewart urged bird hunters to concentrate on young aspen and tag alder thickets -- especially areas with water or moist soils -- as the best spots to find grouse and woodcock. Woodcock numbers for this fall also should be about as good as last year's, Stewart said.

The state's waterfowl specialist could not be reached for comment.

It is never too early to start getting into shape for hunting season, and the same goes for your dog. If you haven't already started, now would be a good time to start walking, jogging or even biking with your dog.

You don't want to start such exercise when the temperature is near 90, though. Try to schedule such activity early in the morning or just before dark. Sometimes, night can be a good time for walking or jogging, provided you wear light-colored clothes and keep an eye on traffic.

Now is also a good time to see to your equipment, especially for waterfowl hunters. You don't want to wait to the last minute to find out that your outboard or your duck boat requires service.

Bird hunters need to check out their hunting clothes to make sure everything is ready to go, such as attending to those hunting pants that lost a button in a tag alder tangle months ago or needed patching last fall.

It is also a good time to examine your waders or hunting boots carefully. If they need replacing, it is better to do it now when you still have time to break them in before the season opener.

I once took a friend pheasant hunting for the first time, and being a novice, he showed up in brand-new boots. By the end of the day, he could barely walk because of blisters and sore feet.

It is also wise to get your shotguns out and take them to the shooting range several times, not only to brush up on your shooting skills, but also to see if they are in good working order.

A thorough cleaning is a good idea, along with even a visit to a gunsmith if anything in the action seems to be a little too stiff or awkward.

I would also recommend visiting your local sporting goods store to stock up on shells now and to get a hunting license. You would be surprised by how many people get up on opening morning, only to remember that they never got around to obtaining such necessary items beforehand.

Conservation officers aren't going to be impressed with whatever story you tell about why you forgot that license, since they already have heard every excuse possible.