About Petersen
Where are you from?
Nisswa, MN
How long have you been hunting/guiding?
Been guiding at PGC since 2017, hunting probably 10 years before that
What do you enjoy most about guiding at Pineridge?
Sharing our love for the northwoods with people who have never hunted here before. Watching their face when a ruffed grouse explodes from right in front of them is priceless every time.
Q&A
How did you get started hunting grouse?
The dogs were the biggest reason we dove so deep into ruffed grouse. Watching them play chess with the master is not comparable to any other kind of hunting we do.
What keeps you coming back to the Northwoods each season?
It’s very addicting, challenging and there’s always something new to learn even after this many years.
What makes a great grouse dog in your opinion?
A great grouse dog freezes at first scent, relocates with confidence and caution, and does not over pressure the bird while staying with it.
Early season or late season and why?
Late season – the smarter the birds are, the better for making a challenging hunt feel extra rewarding
What’s one mistake you see hunters make in grouse cover?
Stopping when they see a dog on point. That’s the time to get moving!
Describe a perfect day at Pineridge.
A cool crisp morning with a light frost, getting out to an old favorite cover we haven’t checked in a year or two and watching the dogs put on a show run after run.
Favorite gun to carry in the grouse woods? AJ prefers his 20 gauge UGC Venus sxs, while Bailey favors her 28 gauge Venus sxs
Coffee at dawn or bourbon by the fire?
Coffee at dawn with ducks flying overhead
A hunt you’ll never forget?
Hunted a special cover not all that far from camp with our setter when he was just a puppy, we were trying to find him a ruffed grouse in an aging out aspen cover and ended up shooting a banded woodcock over a beautiful point on a chilly morning. I have a photo of the point but it’s etched into our memories forever.
One piece of advice for someone new to grouse hunting?
Walk trails and wetland edges for your best chance for success when starting out. It takes time and lots of practice to feel confident marching through cover but just pretend like the trees don’t exist.
Best bird dog name you’ve heard?
Gotta be ol Ruff from George Bird Evans
What makes Pineridge different?
Definitely the people, the welcoming atmosphere and the respect for the birds above all else.