Syracuse.com - Canandaigua hunter: 'Pierre the Partridge III' makes deer hunting and being in woods interesting (See video)

HuntingNY-News · November 30, 2012

"We call him Pierre the Partridge III as we feel this is the 3rd partridge since 2005 that has shown these characteristics."

Submitted photo Dennis Money, of Canandaigua, sent in this picture, video and the following story about a partridge (ruffed grouse) he's named "Pierre the Partridge III."

"This beautiful but rather obnoxious grouse/partridge has been a pain this fall. once you get into his 'hood' he will then fly up to the tree stand you are in and start pecking you!

"On opening day for deer last week he landed on my shotgun and wouldnt get off it! I call him Pierre III as it rhymes with partridge and I believe this is the 3rd partridge in the last 7 years to have this type of personality. I am not sure what the lifetime of a grouse is but I rather doubt they make it beyond 2-3 years.

"During archery season when I harvested a nice buck he immediately started walking behind me as I followed the blood trail and then when other hunters came by to help, he paid them no heed and continued to walk around us as the buck was dressed.

"On the positive side he gives me great photo opps and video, something that is uncommon for this little bombshell of a wild bird. I guess I am a luck guy but he does have an attitude and I need to be careful as his beak is powerful!"

"I know I have heard of other partridges doing the same but I have never seen a good explanation why they do this. He is a male, the same as the others

"Yesterday my brother and his wife were in the old Christmas trees cutting boughs and Pierre joined them and stayed with them for over an hour."

I asked Money how he came up with the name.

"We call him Pierre the Partridge III as we feel this is the 3rd partridge since 2005 that has shown these characteristics.

"I don't believe grouse live for more than a couple of years (I could be wrong) and this guy has a similar but slightly different home territory from the others hence III. He could be II or possibly even I, but since they all look alike and they are wild birds fending off predators I think he is a III."

Pierre... Submitted photo

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog