Dr. Hank's Genuine Alabama Elixir To Cure Your Midwest Winter Ruffed Grouse Blues

You boys go ahead, and make as much noise as you want,” chortled Dr. Hank Clemmons. “We’re gonna’ have ourselves a good ol’ Alabama Shake ’n Bake.”

- Ron Barger

He slammed the door to his SUV as the five of us huddled up in the early December woods of northern Wisconsin. Clemmons, “Bird Dogs — Health Matters” columnist for The Upland Almanac, was about to show us his special technique for winter grouse hunting. Clemmons hails from the great state of Alabama where his mixed pedigree includes a degree in English from the University of Alabama and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University.

He said the day’s conditions were perfect for a Shake ’n Bake. A dusting of fresh snow had fallen the night before. Added to the four inches already on the ground, it made for optimal tracking and easy walking through the woods. There was little wind on this overcast winter day.

Dave Patton and his German shorthaired pointer Gretchen, Mike Studer and his year-old shorthair Peachy, Leon Bertschy and his English setter Lily and me and my 4-year-old yellow Lab Beau stood ready for coaching and instructions. Clemmons was in the lead with his Drahthaar Bell.

He explained that the two-track we stood on ran about a half mile around the conifer-peaked uplands that rose to a summit above us. At our feet an old logging skidder trail led to the top of the hill and over, splitting in half the entire section we were hunting.

“The five of us with all our dogs are going to walk around the full circle of this two-track, making a bunch of racket and end up right back here where we stand now,” Clemmons said smiling. “Y’all keep your dogs close or on leash and out of the woods as we walk this circle. Then we are going to form a line and walk up this hill to where we hopefully pushed all those grouse towards the middle of those pines up on top.”