Just booked lodging in NH

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gar-dog
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Just booked lodging in NH

Post by gar-dog » Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:15 pm

I just booked a few nights in some rustic cabins in the Northwoods of New Hampshire for October grouse. I have been looking at Google Earth and miles and miles around there are open timberlands. This is an area just north of Pittsburg, NH. Has anyone hunted up there before?

With a young dog and this being my first time on grouse, I may use a guide the first outing.

Also, my wife is more of a "Squam Lake" kind of gal. That area is an hour or two closer to me too, and it looks like there is a lot of land just north of there in the Sandwich Mountain region. For a second trip I may want to go there. Has anyone hunted that area?

Cheers,
Gary

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The Zephyr
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by The Zephyr » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:21 am

Gary,

Which week have you booked for? I’ll be in Pittsburg the week of October 12-18. This will coincide with the full moon and the flights of the mudbats. I’m flying in my dogs from Wisconsin on the 11th of Oct. We’ll have a good group of hunters in tow. Setters, Brittanies, and GSPs, we all enjoy the hunt together.

I’m not sure where you’ll be staying but you might try Lisa Savard at Lopstick Lodge for guiding. She runs Brits and I’m sure she would be happy to take you and your dog along.

If you are going to be up the same week you’re welcome to join us. We’ll just be up the road or on the other side, as simple as that.

Some of the places you might want to check on Google Earth, these are no secret as they have been elaborated both in print and on the net, are Indian Stream, Cedar Stream and Day Roads

I’m kinda gambling with the weather this year. The climate can be very fickle in Pittsburg. I’ve hunted the first week, only to swelter in 70 degrees. I’ve hunted the third week only to be pummeled with a foot of snow. I usually look at the first full week and try to avoid the orange army on Columbus Day, but with the moon and the number of woodcock flushed last year I had to hedge my bet.

John L.

And a hyper link to a hunt. I'm not sure of the audio content ( I'm not permitted speakers at the workstation)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDWe28DpnBc
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by gar-dog » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:45 am

We are actually staying at Lopstick - Oct 9, 10, 11, and head home Sunday afternoon the 12th. I hear Lisa only likes to run her own dogs, but there is a John that will take you out with yours. I will get in a hunt Thursday afternoon (I may trek out Wed night so I can hunt Thursday morning too, and just stay on the road), Fri, Sat, sun morning and then drive home (about 6 hours). Maybe I will see you Sat night or Sun morning.

One concern I have is Ginger has not had a heat cycle yet, and she will be 12 months on September 10th. Anyway, that timing could screw things up for me.

Tell me more about moons and woodcock???? 99% of all my hunting has been in TX and the midwest - quail and pheasant. This will be my first attempt at 'ole ruffy and the mudbats.

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by The Zephyr » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:08 am

Gary,

You can only hope your bitch will have a fast learning curve. Ol’ruff won’t hold for a crowding dog unless they are young or in family groups.

My bitches do get sketchy before, during and shortly after their heat cycle. Nosing up birds, creeping, aahhh, females. At least they don’t mark all the time!!!

You can find woodcock in the same habitat as grouse, but you will also find grouse where you won’t find woodcock. Does that make sense?

Like most migratory game the woodcock use the moon as a directional device. Usually it will begin with a cold snap in Canada freezing the ground and food supply. This temperature change, the correspondence of the full moon and a north wind will push them along.

I’ll try to arrive early enough on Sunday to say “hello”, but it’s a nine hour drive for me.

Are you staying in Cabin 3, the "Snake Pit" ? Fond memories of Cabin 3. Rack of venison, acorn squash and a nice merlot.

John L.
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by gar-dog » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:28 am

Thanks for the info. As it stands we are in Cabin 2, as I need the beds for wife and kids if they come too!

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by The Zephyr » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:01 am

Gary,

Hide your wallet. You may be up in Pittsburg for the Ethan Allen Auction to benefit the local Fire Department. Don’t tell the wife!!!!!

Just kidding……….

You should find some migratory birds during the time you are there. But mostly you’ll be putting up resident birds. The migrators will often fly vertical during the flush. The local doodles seem to fly through the cover …LOW.

I prefer to hunt grouse for the table rather than woodcock. It’s just that the doodles offer such excellent work for the dogs. The woodcock would probably be best for your young dog at first.

Now, I’ve put up a fair amount of woodcock at times, six or eight flushes in one outing. Yet, one afternoon last season (this is going to be difficult for some to fathom) we flushed several dozen flight birds from one western hillside at high elevation, vegetated with eight to ten foot conifers (not particularly textbook woodcock cover).

That’s why I’m looking forward to this October moon.

John L.
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by gar-dog » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:16 am

Good Lord I cannot wait!!

GSP9

Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by GSP9 » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:25 pm

I am headed to Pittsburg this fall too. Going up Oct 8th-12th. We rented a cabin right along Indian Stream. I have never been up there, but am planning on doing it without any guide help. I have looked at so many Google maps of that area that I see them in my sleep. I sure am excited...can't get here soon enough!

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by The Zephyr » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:55 pm

Sorry I’m missing out on what appears to be the New Jersey Chapter of the Gun Dog Forum New Hampshire Grouse Hunt Rendezvous, but if I might recommend and I’m sure your significant others would agree, reserve a table Friday or Saturday night at the Rainbow Grille of the Tall Timber Lodge. Probably the best meal you’ll find in those parts, at a reasonable price.
After walking goat-legged for a day or two you’ll appreciate a top-notch meal in some comfortable ambience.

http://www.talltimber.com/

Other than my cabin rental and fuel, it’s the only real expense on my trip.

For some rough grub, perhaps the Buck Rub on Rte. 3, but pizza and steak bombs can only take you so far.

John L.

And don't forget to leave me some birds!!!!!! :D :D :D
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by GSP9 » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:18 pm

Let's get something straight...I'm from PA 8)

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by The Zephyr » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:21 pm

O.K., O.K. I won't ask you what exit!!!!!! :twisted:

Now if I could only remember where I flushed those eight birds last fall on Indian Stream, milepost 7 er.. or was it 9??????? :mrgreen:
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by nj gsp » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:08 pm

I'm hoping to get up to Maine for the opener, but I'll be in Maine for sure Oct 15-18. We can compare notes when we all get back.

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by gar-dog » Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:45 am

The Zephyr wrote:Gary,

Hide your wallet. You may be up in Pittsburg for the Ethan Allen Auction to benefit the local Fire Department. Don’t tell the wife!!!!!
OK, well I spilled the beans. She asked if we could rent a semi.... she looooves stuff like this.
G

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by Scott Linden » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:37 pm

I am so jealous. We spent a few days up there several summers ago, and enjoyed learning about the grouse hunting from the proprietor of Tall Timber Lodge. Great meals there, by the way. Hope that's where you're staying. They offer guide services, I think.

Squam Lake has some great fishing (you probably know it's the star of "On Golden Pond.") But I don't know about the hunting in that area.

Wherever you go, give some thought to what you're taking - and share your thoughts - I'm compiling my "gotta have" list for a long road trip out west this fall. More at http://www.scottlindenoutdoors.com.
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by gar-dog » Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:33 am

Scott Linden wrote:I am so jealous. We spent a few days up there several summers ago, and enjoyed learning about the grouse hunting from the proprietor of Tall Timber Lodge. Great meals there, by the way. Hope that's where you're staying. They offer guide services, I think.
We love trips to VT, NH, ME, and Nantucket. What's great about this far north, is you can buy a decent place really cheap. You don't need much land because you can hunt everywhere. A cabin on 4-5 acres, only 6 hours from home, in prime hunting area.... not too shabby. The area also offers year-round activities.

We are staying at Lopstick cabins, but will check out Tall Timber.
Thanks,
G

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by The Zephyr » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:26 am

Gary,

If you have the time try to attend the American Brittany Cub field trial at the Kilkenny Wildlife Management Area near Berlin, NH the weekend of Sept 27 & 28.

http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T ... Y=6163&W=3

The grounds are probably similar to what you'll find in Pittsburg and it's an hour closer to home.

John L.
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by gar-dog » Sat Oct 04, 2008 3:57 pm

So who is getting psyched? I got my NH hunting license by mail so I can hit the ground running. Hopefully my dog will do well her first time out for real hunting. She has been on a lot of birds now at our training grounds. We are going to head up Wednesday the 8th after school lets out and try to get as far as we can so I can hunt Thursday morning. I assume I'll hunt Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sunday morning and then hit the road home.
Cheers,
Gary

P.S. What loads do you guys recommend for grouse and possibly woodcock? I will be using a 12 and my son a 20.

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by nj gsp » Sat Oct 04, 2008 5:11 pm

I bought my Maine hunt/fish combo online & printed it out.

I was advised by some native Mainers that #6 is the way to go, although a lot of people say 7-1/2's. I'm in the #6 camp.

I know I don't need a waterfowl stamp for woodcock, but do need a HIP number. Anyone know if my NJ HIP# is good in Maine too, or do I need to get one issued from Maine? Maybe the answer is on the USFWS website.

I saw lots of birds when I was in Maine the last week of September, so I'm pretty excited to bo back up on the 14th.

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by gar-dog » Sat Oct 04, 2008 5:20 pm

I am not positive but I think the HIP number is federal and is good for any licenses you get in that year. I guess you could just call the number where you get a HIP # and ask (800)-207-6183.

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by The Zephyr » Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:14 pm

Guys, Your hip number is different for every state you hunt in. You must register within each state's system. As far as shot size is concerned, #6 is fine for grouse if you are shooting through foliage, but it is too much for woodcock. If need be use 7's or 8's in your bottom barrel and #6's on top. Good luck!! John L.
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by jsd245 » Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:20 pm

nj gsp wrote:I bought my Maine hunt/fish combo online & printed it out.

I was advised by some native Mainers that #6 is the way to go, although a lot of people say 7-1/2's. I'm in the #6 camp.

I know I don't need a waterfowl stamp for woodcock, but do need a HIP number. Anyone know if my NJ HIP# is good in Maine too, or do I need to get one issued from Maine? Maybe the answer is on the USFWS website.

I saw lots of birds when I was in Maine the last week of September, so I'm pretty excited to bo back up on the 14th.
I took me a while of searching on the MAine Website before I figured out the deal with the HIP permit, you need a different one for each state you hunt in, Maine included. I also got my license online and after the fact thought about HIP permit for woodcock, turns out that when you apply for your license if you are going to hunt migratory birds you need to indicate it, and thats it. If you do not indicate that you will be migratory bird hunting and decide to later they mention a sticker you're supposed to get, but don't tell you where to get it. I frankly did not remember having that question asked when I got my license online and nowhere on the license does it say anything, so I called the Maine DEC and they told me that it does not say anywhere on the license whether or not you indicated you would be migratory bird hunting. Long story short I decided not to worry too much about it since they didn't seem to. If I was asked the question I certainly would have said yes even though i don't recall.

I'm leaving tomorrow and I am pumped. We'll be up there for three days grouse hunting with my GSP pup in my avatar (her first year hunting) and hare hunting with my dad's beagle. Should be fun. I had her in upsate New York for a couple weeks ago and we didn't have much bird contact at all, but she pointed her first grouse and my dad shot it so I was pretty proud of her. She bumped a couple more, but since it was her first time on grouse thats what i expected. I'm hoping for alot more birds up in Maine. My Dad knows a couple guys who have been up already and they report good grouse and hare numbers.

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by nj gsp » Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:46 pm

Foliage aside, Maine grouse are tough birds!

Hey jsd245, where are you headed for in Maine? I'm headed to the Western Mountains, just outside of Rangeley. I talked to a guy the other day who goes up to Jackman, and I know a bunch of guys who road trip to Pittsburgh, NH every year.

Word is out it was a good winter/spring for pa'tridge. :D

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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by The Zephyr » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:36 am

NJGSP wrote:
Foliage aside, Maine grouse are tough birds!
When I began chasing grouse I would also use #6's, but grouse are small game birds and it doesn't take much to put them down other than to hit them with a pellet or two. I've dropped my share with concussion loads of fairy dust (#9's). :lol:

Now if you are hunting an area which holds grouse and woodcock you definitely want to reduce your shot size or you may not have much edible bird left for dinner.


Also some states have their own migratory bird stamp similar to some state's pheasent stamp programs. I wouldn't rely on some desk jockey advice because the ECO is the one giving you the ticket.

This is a big one.........

When you walk back to your vehicle from hunting a piece, always unload your firearm before you arrive. One of the simplest ploys the game wardens use in N.H. is to wait by your truck and as you return ask you for your license. Never, ever lean a loaded gun against your vehicle or you will lose your license to hunt in New Hampshire for a year.

John L.
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Re: Just booked lodging in NH

Post by gar-dog » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:41 am

If any of you in the Pittsburg, NH see a silver Navigator with yellow NJ tags, say hello, as that will be yours truly, with family and dog in tow.

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