Following the widespread popularity of “Grouse Feathers”, the collection of Burton L. Spiller‘s grouse hunting stories in 1934, Spiller put together a sequel, “More Grouse Feathers“, which was first published in 1938. The book was an extension of the first, arranged in several numbered chapters, where Spiller wrote freely, far and wide, about grouse hunting topics and others of interest.
Here are some of the topics Spiller writes about in “More Grouse Feathers”:
-Spiller goes into more depth about his early years as a hunter, and how he developed into the grouse hunting fanatic he was
-He describes his first bird dog and subsequent dogs, and highlights the cherished relationship between bird dog and hunter, a bond that is all too often difficult to describe
-Success and failure at wingshooting is discussed, with tips for improvement
-Shotguns are a passion of Spiller’s, and he describes several of the guns he has owned, including an interesting one he custom ordered that didn’t work out so well
-An incredible grouse cover is described, along with observations of grouse habitat and needs for survival
-Stories of tame grouse are recollected
-Spiller offers his opinion on how to approach a ‘pointed’ bird
-A unique observation of huge ‘flocks’ of grouse is discussed again, as it was in “Grouse Feathers”. This is an intriguing topic I’d love to learn more about.
-Spiller offers his opinion (and proceeds to offer it several other times in future writings) of the need to develop a line of dogs bred specifically to hunt grouse. It’s something that I believe is still yet to be achieved.
-Finally, Spiller pens some reflections on woodcock hunting and how it compares with grouse hunting.
Overall, “More Grouse Feathers” is a great sequel to the original, and any fan of “Grouse Feathers” should pick up a copy of this one. I still feel that, like the first, it lacks in the area of organization, writing style and focus on individual topics. However, what the book lacks is more than made up for by Spiller’s vast experience in the grouse woods and his enthusiasm and passion for hunting.
Since the original 1938 printing, “More Grouse Feathers” was published again in 1972 and 1988. Pick up a copy. If you enjoyed “Grouse Feathers”, you’ll surely love reading this one. I know I did.
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