Horseshoe Meadows/Golden Trout Wilderness?

[Rumpled]

Some buds are planning a backpack trip into the Golden Trout Wilderness from Horsehoe Meadows. We'll be in the So Fork Kern/Golden Trout Creek area between roughly 8500 to 9500 feet.
Coincidentally, Mt Quail and grouse opens the same weekend.
Anybody know if it would be a good idea for me to bring along my 20 ga O/U?
I've never seen a grouse; but have bagged a couple of Mt Quail in the past.
Also, if so; what would be a good way to carry a O/U with an internal frame pack?
I was kinda thinking broken down in some kind of soft sock type thing - that I don't yet have. Maybe an extra tent stuff sack?

Ideas on the plan anybody?

 

[k_rad]

My brother-in-law has been back there many times backpacking. He says one of the lakes is the best trout fishing he has experienced in the sierras...fyi

 

[stode]

This Sounds Awesome!

Some buds are planning a backpack trip into the Golden Trout Wilderness from Horsehoe Meadows. We'll be in the So Fork Kern/Golden Trout Creek area between roughly 8500 to 9500 feet.
Coincidentally, Mt Quail and grouse opens the same weekend.
Anybody know if it would be a good idea for me to bring along my 20 ga O/U?
I've never seen a grouse; but have bagged a couple of Mt Quail in the past.
Also, if so; what would be a good way to carry a O/U with an internal frame pack?
I was kinda thinking broken down in some kind of soft sock type thing - that I don't yet have. Maybe an extra tent stuff sack?

Ideas on the plan anybody?

I hope you get some good info. I would love to do this exact trip. I also have a 20g O/U and an unused internal frame pack.

 

[3springs]

I want to do a trip like this. I bought a Winchester 9410 for this purpose. It is a lever action 410 bore that shoots 2 1/2 shells and is less than 40 inches long. This also has screw in chokes and is super light weight and compact for just kind of trip.

When you do it, I hope you have good luck.

 

[McFatty3]

Oh yea! Was up in the high country this past weekend and spooked a grouse the size of a small turkey. Also ran into several nice size groups of mtn. quail.

 

[stode]

Habitat

Oh yea! Was up in the high country this past weekend and spooked a grouse the size of a small turkey. Also ran into several nice size groups of mtn. quail.

In what general area were you? High Sierra or can they be found in the San Bernadino mtns? I don't know anything about Grouse habitat.

 

[Rumpled]

I know the fishing is supposed to be awesome for the little goldens out there. I don't really even fish, and don't fly fish. I might try to borrow some gear.
Don't know so much about the grouse. If there are any in the Berdo's, I've never heard of it - but I do know that area is not open.
I'm just coming off thumb surgery and am pretty iffy on carrying an extra 10lbs+ on a whim, but we'll see.
It could be epic, or a heavy slog.

 

[k_rad]

I want to do a trip like this. I bought a Winchester 9410 for this purpose. It is a lever action 410 bore that shoots 2 1/2 shells and is less than 40 inches long. This also has screw in chokes and is super light weight and compact for just kind of trip.

When you do it, I hope you have good luck.

How many shells will that thing hold?

I have a 410 pump that is not too heavy...hmmm

 

[3springs]

It will hold 5. It came with 2 magazine plugs of different lengths. I haven't even put them in yet to see what they reduce the capacity to.

 

[Mike C]

It should reduce the capacity to 3 shells max, chamber and magizine to be in compliance for upland birds. If you take it make sure it only holds 3 shells or you may have some explaining to do if you are checked. But you probably already know that.

 

[yupurs]

What fun!!!
I used to backpack up in Washington.
I alway carried a wrist-rocket slingshot for the birds. We always had grouse for camp food. Just clean out the inside, season and cover with a heavy coat of clay / mud (1/2") and place in the campfire coals. When the mud is dried and starting to crack- peel the mud off, it will take the feathers and skin with it- leaving a tasty meal for you.

 

[Redside]

Speaking of plugs in shotguns, I remember an incident at Cibola refuge some years back. The new 3-1/2" mossberg ultimag pump had just come out and one of the guys at the "firing-line" had one. He had it plugged, and it held two of the 3-1/2" shells in the magazine. But when the warden checked him, he (the warden) used 2-3/4" shells, and three of them went in. He got a ticket.

I don't know if that explains why Winchester would furnish two different plugs, but I would be careful and use the correct one.

 

[timsmsmail]

Hey Gruys,

My buddies and I go up every year backpacking in the high country above Independance. We used to go on ppening day of dear season of x9b, but work has made us move it back a week to the 2nd weekend of Sept... Since that is opening weekend of Mt Quail and Grouse, i was wondering if anyone thought we might have success up in this area..?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[tuledude]

When packing with my SxS I just keep it wrapped with the jacket or sweater I'm not wearing. Even the weight of a gun sock is weight not needed. When in the area I plan on hunting I just take it out and put it together. If your after grouse or ptarmigan you might just wait until you run into a bird before taking it out.

 

[tuledude]

Note: You'll need to travel north to the right zone for ptarmigan.

 

[Rumpled]

Yeah, I know I'll be south of ptarmigan (not in season either I think)
I'll get my gear out this weekend and see if I can figure it out.