Snow has arrived

[Katariina Roiha]

The northern Finland is now covered in snow. Which is ideal for the grouses in white wintercoats. Me and my husband went for a little huntingtrip with the youngest setters from our gang.

And as Gene aswell can see my blog is working ;-)

Here is Evita waiting for her turn

And here Sheriff waiting for his turn with a good example of exellent eye contact

And yes, grouses were found...as always

[Henk ten Klooster]

Feels fine after hunting in woods here to enjoy scenes up north. What grouses Katariina? I want to look them up in a book on grouse in Finland.

[Katariina Roiha]

a book of birds says Lagopus lagopus - Willow Grouse

[Katariina Roiha]

actually look here http://www.lintukuva.fi/lajikuvat/laglag/index.php

I hope that link opens?

[Henk ten Klooster]

Sorry can't open the link, but found it in Von Wright: Taiteilijaveljekset Suonen kaunameimmat lintuaalaukset. From there in Petersons Birdguide.

So Finnish: Riekko; Dutch: moerassneeuwhoen, English: Willow Grouse, Red Grouse, German: Moorschneehuhn, French: Lagopede des saules, Swedish Dalripa.

So northern (white) version of the Famous Grouse (reddish) of Ireland and Scotland, to be seen on the whisky same name.

Do they look back as well when flying off? What do you consider to be the most difficult and easy kinds of grouse to hunt and why? Tasty? Good receipt?

Cheers-Henk and go on sending! I for one enjoy it very much after hunting thats double fun!

[ursula wilby]

Im glad I live as far south as you can get in Sweden...:-) A bit early for snow for me...
Have a great time hunting!

[Katariina Roiha]

More snow is welcome, keeps the paws of the dogs clean :))

To Henks questions. The easiest grouse is when the season starts, they´re very kind to dogs. The dog can be on point from 3m, the grouse is very silly ;))and they´re still in couples or has their young ones with them.

Then comes a time when the grouse is very very timid, the ground is not yet covered in snow but the grouse has already changed its feathers to match winter surface. Then they also gather into enormous flocks. It is very hard to shoot down any, the grouse can take the dog on point but when a man gets nearer they usually fly away.

Then when the snow covers surface they get easy again. And that lasts until the end of april. The only thing that will disturb shooting down is the lack of light here in the north. But it lasts only 3 months, then I train our dogs with shootin up in the air, just to get the feeling right ;)))

Grouse is very tasty. You take the best parts of(chest) and cook the rest of the corps in water, with a hint of seasalt and some carrots. Then you take the bouillon for the gravy. Fry up the chest bites and put them in a kettle. In the kettle on top of the chest bites some creme fraise(with garlic flavour). I think it is sourcream with a flavour of garlic? Add 1dl of the cooked up gravy and 2dl beer.Some salt and pepper. And let it stew for a couple of hours. And YAM, it´s ready!

[Henk ten Klooster]

Water drops from my mouth while reading this... Hope to be able to use your receipt one lucky day.

Interesting that behaviour during the flocks period - different from clutches of partridge.

You are lucky to have so many grouses. Here you need to spend a lot of money for that, by travelling with birddogs to Scotland.

I like snow especially on landscapes where willow grouse lives - so heather with willow and birches. Colors are great, makes red setters glow.

No snow yet here, but flames of birches -most victims of the January-storm- are high now. Its warm daytime (17C), but cools of quick in the evening.

Thanks again and keep on posting! - Henk.