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Being a LocaCarnivore hunter means taking advantage of changing opportunities.
Larry and I had gone to a place we've hunted many times before. This day, we were looking for bear but would take grouse if any presented themselves. I also brought along my berry picker and some bags because I knew we'd see elderberries and rosehips along the way. Larry wanted to walk a trail we had seen many times but never explored to determine if it had bear potential.
The Trail and the Berries

We noted the rosehips and elderberries as we went. You could count the bushes on one hand. Not a great place for bear in the fall.
Looking for Berries
Getting Grouse
We neared the patch when a blue grouse came out of hiding. One shot from my trusty 20 gauge and I had the bird in hand. I thanked him, put him in a bag, and we continued on to the rosehips.Every Rose has its Thorn
There were bushes upon bushes of rosehips that hadn't been disturbed by bears yet. So I started scooping them up, but they're not easy to pick, even with the berry picker. I had to push the branches aside and the thorns scratched my arms and stuck my fingers. Larry offered his work gloves, which made the job easier. While he kept careful watch with his trusty .375 H&H in hand (never pick berries in bear country without a lookout), I harvested a bag of rosehips.As we drove home, I marveled at how we went hunting but ended up both hunting and gathering. The grouse has now joined another in the freezer, so we can now have a yummy dinner in the future.
What to do with our Food?

- My Recipe for Roasted Grouse with Morels
- My Recipe for Elderberry Mead
- Rosehip Recipes from Mother Earth Living
- Elderberry Recipes from Mother Earth News
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