About Kelsie
I grew up in a hunting family in a small area known as Leader MN. I started hunting with birddogs about 7 years ago. We now have a Chesapeake bay retriever and 6 German Shorthaired Pointers.
Q&A
How did I get started hunting grouse?
I grew up aimlessly walking through the woods hoping to walk the right path and find a bird. When I did find a bird, I hoped to maybe hit it, and then search for hours to recover my game. Getting Blair, our first GSP changed the game for me in the woods and now I can never picture hunting without a dog.
What keeps you coming back to the northwoods each season?
It’s hard not to go back to the northwoods, especially when it’s in your back yard.
What makes a great grouse dog in your opinion?
A dog that truly works with you to find, point, and recover gam.
Early season or late season and why?
I enjoy the later season mostly because of the weather.
What’s one mistake you see hunters make in the grouse cover?
Not getting into the woods where the birds are.
Describe a perfect day at pineridge.
Wake up, enjoy breakfast & coffee in the lodge, head out for the hunt, move some birds, watch solid dog work, have a tailgate lunch, watch some more good dog work, head back to camp, eat great apps & dinner, sit around the fire with your favorite beverage, share & listen to others stories & memories.
Favorite gun to carry in the grouse woods?
I have a baretta silver pigeon that I carry.
Coffee at dawn or Bourbon by the fire?
Quality old fashioned by the fire or a Gin & tonic.
A hunt you’ll never forget?
Hunting my dogs with an American Water Spaniel. It was so cool to see him run in and flush up the woodcock that my GSPs had pinned down on point. We moved a ton of birds that day & we had a memorable time!
One piece of advice for someone new to grouse hunting?
Look for the right habitat & start simple. If it feels too thick to walk through you’re likely in the right grouse cover.
Best birddog name you’ve heard?
Hook, for a flushing dog
What makes Pineridge different?
It’s hard to explain honestly. I think you just have to experience it to truly know.