Grouse versus Ptarmigan ID

[VFX_man]

Hi all, so see that Ptarmigan season opens Sept 1st in the Thompson Region 3. Not sure I have ever seen any that region, is the main ID their fluffy feet?

Cause to me, they look pretty similar to the Spruce Grouse on first glance which don't open until Sept 10th. Not clear why they didn't delay the Ptarmigan opener to avoid any confusion. A chicken is a chicken.

Thanks, VFX

http://i.imgur.com/BMgZB04.jpg

[Fisher-Dude]

I've never seen a ptarmigan in region 3 in 50+ years.

Wait 'til the 10th. ;)

[butcher]

Kill them in the alpine every year in region 3. Usually pretty white by mid September.

[gutpile]

It was only a few years ago that I thought Ptarmigan were only up north , and I have been in the bush over 30 years haha !

[bighornbob]

Ptarmigan are pretty much only found in the alpine. If you are getting out of your truck to shoot them they are grouse:)

BHB

[Wild one]

Ptarmigan are pretty much only found in the alpine. If you are getting out of your truck to shoot them they are grouse:)

BHB

Shot ptarmigan off roads the just need to be really high elevation most of the time

Before someone says they were grouse I am 100% the white ones are a dead give away lol. Yes in region 3 as well 3-17 3-32 and 3-16


FD are you sure you hunt 50 years hunting region 3 and never seen a ptarmigan lmao

[walks with deer]

I have only seen ptarmigan in the alpine.

except for I saw somebody shoot one in subalpine of stave lake on the road.

other than that its been a 7b thing for me.. beside the sheep

[thehammer]

"A chicken is a chicken."

Not if your a real bird hunter. It's amazing how many hunters cannot identify the different game birds.

[BowRunner]

Hi all, so see that Ptarmigan season opens Sept 1st in the Thompson Region 3. Not sure I have ever seen any that region, is the main ID their fluffy feet?

Cause to me, they look pretty similar to the Spruce Grouse on first glance which don't open until Sept 10th. Not clear why they didn't delay the Ptarmigan opener to avoid any confusion. A chicken is a chicken.

Thanks, VFX



I agree that aligning the season dates would help avoid confusion right at the edge of the alpine in early season. There is often not a lot of time to closely identify before the flush unless you spot and stalk ;). Bow season - Sep 1 for both birds; Other tools - Sep 10 for both birds.

[badgreenbird]

For sure in September, ptarmigan will be alpine only... and unlikely to see other grouse up there. Ptarmigan will come down to lower elevation and can be found in clearcuts, etc. - but not til later in the fall/winter

[russm86]

Have seen ptarmigan in regions 5 and 3 up high, like top of jamieson and near spatsizi plateau, but definitely well below alpine. Never knew they were around here until I started seeing flocks of them sticking out like a sore thumb in full white in october before snow has fallen yet.

[Darksith]

you know when you are in ptarmigan country...usually you don't see grouse up that high

[Bugle M In]

Seen them up in Yalakom years ago.....up high.

[VFX_man]

Did see some grouse this weekend, man they are dark feathered this year from what I could see. Luckily not any smarter though. ;)

Maybe a light snow year based on their color?