Nick Larson Duluth, Minnesota
About Nick
Nick Larson is a lifelong upland hunter from Duluth, Minnesota, with over thirty years in the grouse woods, starting alongside his dad in the forests of Northern Minnesota before he was old enough to carry a gun. He’s been guiding here and there for the last decade, but more than anything, Nick built his entire lifestyle around access to the North Woods. He’s drawn to Pineridge for the same reason he’s drawn to the woods itself: the community it creates and the people who share it.
Q&A
How did you get started hunting grouse?
Growing up in Northern Minnesota, I started hunting grouse alongside my dad. Something about it sparked a curiosity and a passion from the very first day that has yet to fade.
What keeps you coming back to the Northwoods each season?
The North Woods is where I live, work, and play. I built my whole lifestyle around access to it. It’s something I hold very dear.
What makes a great grouse dog in your opinion?
An intelligent one, and an experienced one. Lots of exposure to birds, and the wisdom to learn the game. Experience matters.
Early season or late season, and why?
Late season, without a doubt. The later it gets, the better it gets. Weather is the X factor, but when it cooperates, it makes for the most memorable days in the field.
What’s one mistake you see hunters make in grouse cover?
Not being observant enough. Take your time, stop, look, and listen and try to maintain as much readiness as possible when you’re carrying the gun.
Describe a perfect day at Pineridge.
Any day at Pineridge.
Favorite gun to carry in the grouse woods?
My RFM Venus 28 gauge.
Coffee at dawn or bourbon by the fire?
Coffee at dawn.
A hunt you’ll never forget?
Taking my son hunting for the first time. It was a full circle moment , for me, for him, and for Hartley, the dog that started it all.
One piece of advice for someone new to grouse hunting?
Enjoy every day in the woods and find something to appreciate about it. They’re all special, no matter how light or heavy the game bag is at the end of the day.
Best bird dog name you’ve heard?
The name of whatever dog I’m hunting over that day.
What makes Pineridge different?
Pineridge pairs the North Woods grouse camp experience with a unique and diverse community of people who all share the same passion. Unlike any place I’ve ever been.