Thanks, 88MauSporter

I really do love everything about hunting the uplands with good guns and good dogs. If someone gave me the choice to hunt a particular patch of timber where it was guaranteed to get a good shot at a nice 10 pt. buck, or to hunt a patch of timber where there's a chance at flushing a Ruffed Grouse, I would certainly take my chances on the Grouse.

Your guns seem like comfortable partners for you and have served you well. The Merkel has been with me since leaving the factory in Ulm Germany for 10 years and has been to that many states in pursuit of Grouse, Woodcock, Pheasant, and Huns answering the challenge presented by some very good dogs.

Bird hunting is fun when hunting over another man's championed well-trained dog, but it's still not as fun as hunting over your own modestly trained dog.