-Finding solace and connection with quote from an article by Doug Stamm entitled "Winter Wonder Grouse" found in the most recent edition of Fur Fish & Game- 
         "Yet, in the end, the winter grouse usually wins. After all, these are the wariest and the wisest. A walk in wild places is the only thing guaranteed -- and that is more than enough for me. If I am fortunate enough to bag one for dinner, I count myself lucky. When a bird flies away over a ridge, I tip my cap and wish it a bountiful spring."

Sunday being the day off for hunting in the lovely state of Maine, I decided it might be as good a time as any to go break some clays, gotta stay sha'hp don'tcha know. So I go down to the pit with Matt, the girls, and Abby in tow. After both doing fairly well on our first few clays, Matt and I decided to amble into the pit and get a better look at a pumpkin that was just itching to be shot at. As we stood surveying the harvest fruit, two partridge exploded from the brush we had just showered with orange powder and bird shot. Taking wing, they flew across the pit, right to left offering both of us wide open unimpeded views of them. Both of us stood there, wide eyed and moon faced, white knuckles clutching loaded guns, but what're ya gonna do? Guess it's hard tell'in not know'in.