By V. Paul Reynolds
Not being a lot of a highway hunter, grouse searching has by no means been fairly the identical for me since I misplaced my beloved upland accomplice fairly a couple of years in the past, a stunning English Setter named Sally of Seboeis.
By V. Paul Reynolds
Not being a lot of a highway hunter, grouse searching has by no means been fairly the identical for me since I misplaced my beloved upland accomplice fairly a couple of years in the past, a stunning English Setter named Sally of Seboeis. I nonetheless discover the ruffed grouse a captivating recreation hen, nevertheless, and pleasant desk fare.
Whether or not you shoot ‘em on the bottom on a logging highway with an outdated, beat up 12-gauge single or pursue them within the Thornberry coverts with an expensive Parker 28-gauge and a prime shelf gun canine, you’re all a part of Maine’s hottest fall hunt, surveys present.
My late good friend, Millinocket information Wiggie Robinson, beloved to ask his sports activities in the event that they knew the distinction between a grouse and a p’atridge. Yep, you’ve heard it, proper? If it’s a must to swing with the wheeling hen and shoot it on the wing, it’s a grouse; conversely, in case you plug it flatfooted on the bottom as you peek round your pickup door, it’s a p’atridge.
Not too long ago Diane and I, together with good friend Mark Cain, son Scotty and Limestone outdoorsman Kurt Derah, hunted moose in Wildlife Administration District Three. No moose tagged. Noticed a pair bulls and a few cows early within the week, however no respectable pictures could possibly be taken. We known as lots and drove lots. It’s a protracted week once you sit in a truck creeping alongside from daylight ‘til darkish. Most of us had by no means seen that exact a part of the County north of Limestone. The expansive views throughout limitless potato fields, rolling hills and flaming fall colours made for some breathtaking October surroundings.
The primary few days we drove on by the plentiful roadside grouse pecking at pebbles. Then some outdated shop-worn adages started to hang-out us later within the empty-handed week: “A hen within the hand”… or “If the Lord offers you lemons, make lemonade.”
We paid heed and commenced gathering birds for the pot when the chance introduced itself. We harmed not one moose, however not the identical might be stated for the Up County grouse. Name it collateral injury.
Again dwelling within the Downeast lowlands Department Lake, with our each day restrict of grouse in Zip Lock baggage, we elected to attempt a brand new grouse recipe. Through the years we typically simply minimize the breast meat in strips and sauteed gently in garlic butter. Yours really donned an apron and, after having thumbed by way of a couple of outside cook dinner books, concocted this succulent culinary amalgamation. For lack of a greater recipe identify, I’ll name it:
Geezer’s Nice Grouse.
5 skinned grouse, flippantly dusted with flour and peppered
1 can of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of rooster soup
1/2 packet of Lipton Dry Onion Soup Combine
Half a candy onion chopped superb
1/4 cup of cooking sherry
1 cup of water
In a mixing bowl mix the entire elements besides the grouse and stir nicely. In a giant fry pan add cooking oil and braise the grouse for a minute or so on either side. Place the grouse in a crock pot. Pour the blending bowl of elements over the grouse together with the drippings from the fry pan.
Cook dinner within the crock pot on excessive warmth for 4 or 5 hours, then on low for a pair extra. Serve with rice and your favourite veggie, say string beans almondine or oven-roasted brussels sprouts. Ensure you pour among the scrumptious gravy over the hen and the rice. A half a glass of fine Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t damage both.
The creator is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He’s additionally a Maine Information and host of a weekly radio program “Maine Open air” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine Information-Discuss Community. He has authored three books. On-line buy data is accessible at www.sportingjournal.com, Outside Books.
