August 2021 - 29

Practice at the range is beneficial, but there's
no substitute for being in the field on a hunt to
hone safety field skills, such as ensuring your
chamber is empty while hiking in the presence
of another person with your weapon slinged.
The hazardous scenario of a hunter pivoting
when game is spotted and the muzzle being
pointed at the head of their companion becomes
apparent in the field. I've been amazed at the
rapid progress youth hunters made by the third
day of stepping through the following drill while
hunting forest grouse:
1. Emphasize safety first. Know where other
hunters are in the field at all times and
never point the muzzle in the direction of
another person.
2. Determine whether it is safe to shoot in a
given direction.
3. Explain when and how to load a round
into the chamber.
4. Understand the purpose and use of the
safety mechanism on the rifle.
5. Walk through different field shooting
positions.
6. Discuss the importance of proper shot
placement on game animals.
7. Explain when and how to remove a live
round from the chamber.
8. Talk about the importance of promptly
taking care of downed game and how to
field dress a grouse.
Nowadays my wife and I work the field as
a team hunting forest grouse. She carries the
.22 and shoots birds on the ground; I carry a
shotgun and wing-shoot if they fly. Having a
hunting partner is beneficial when the action
starts - to mark the spot where a bird goes
down or to know which direction they traveled
or flew. A successful day's hunt culminates in
a fried grouse dinner, or if time permits, our
favorite creamy grouse mushroom soup. My
wife and I have celebrated many wedding anniversaries
walking side-by-side in the Wyoming
backcountry hoping to spot a forest grouse.
Birds, backcountry and bonding are an unbeatable
combination in my experience.
- Kent Stevenson is retired from a career as an aerospace
automation/controls and process engineer. He continues
to spend much of his time hunting, fishing and camping
in Wyoming.
Wyoming Wildlife | 29
Ingredients
14 ounces boneless grouse breast
2 cups homemade chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
8 ounces baby bella or cremini
mushrooms, sliced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon sour cream, optional
Preparation
1. In a large saucepan bring the chicken
broth to a boil. Reduce heat to a steady
simmer and add grouse breasts. Cover
and cook gently until the thermometer
reads 150 degrees - approximately
12 minutes. Do not overcook.
Remove meat and set aside to cool.
Reserve broth.
2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a
pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms,
celery and garlic. Cover with
a lid slightly ajar to allow moisture
to escape. Cook vegetables until
fork-tender. Add the reserved broth,
bring to a boil and immediately reduce
to simmer. Stir in cream.
3. Dice or shred cooled grouse meat and
add to soup. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
Do not allow it to boil. Optional:
Stir in sour cream for added richness.
(Photo by Kent Stevenson)
Creamy grouse mushroom soup
By Kent Stevenson
August 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2021
