Newbie to hunting

[Learningeveryday]

Im new to hunting. I live near williams lake and am interested in trying for most small game. Wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction to find snowshoe hare and grouse. Ive been doing a lot of hiking around different places and haven't seen much. Any tips would be helpful!!!

[imack91]

Howdy! Welcome to HBC!

I just got started chasing grouse around Kamloops this season - I have lived here a few years but haven't been out hunting until this Fall. Have been having a blast so far! For small game it's about putting in the time and burning some boot leather (and maybe some gas too!); I'm not familiar with the Williams Lake area but in general, here's what has worked for me this year:

- Get yourself a backroad map book and get familiar with it. In particular I've had a lot of luck driving up the "main" FSRs and then hiking along older overgrown FSRs and game trails; There's always a rabbit or grouse hiding somewhere!

- Get familiar with what is Crown, Private, and Leased Land so that you are stayin' out of trouble. Check out the FCBC Discovery tool (http://www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca/mapping/) that works with Google Earth on your PC or the iMap BC tool (https://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/hm/imap4m/); for either tool you'll have to play with the filters a bit but once you get it dialed in it is pretty straightforward to use.

- On slower or non-productive days, try to trick yourself into thinking you're just out there for a hike and to take in the scenery and fresh air, it's a lot easier on the soul if you end up going home skunked ;)

I won't add this to my main list but if you have a hunting-type dog or have a friend with one, ask to tag along and learn to work with the dog - it's a ton of fun and incredibly satisfying to work your dog, chase some game, and then be coming home with a good story and a few birds.

Good luck!

[Learningeveryday]

imack91, ive been putting most my focus on the smaller pine bettle logging roads. They tend to branch off a lot so i figured there is more ground that is easier to traverse. Im just not 100% sure what i need to be looking for. All i have found is 1 track here and there. Nothing consistent.

[Jelvis]

find out what they eat? Once you know where and what they eat, then you go during shooting light from morning to dark -->
--- Birds of prey are looking too so go where you see lots of hawks and birds of prey

Jel -- jist an idea from me -- maybe it cood work for you --> some member on here will help like share as imack91 has already helped you out --

[Danny_29]

https://www.birdatlas.bc.ca

Elevation is huge. This site has elevation charts that shiuld help you find specific species

[finngun]

for small game hunting,[[for deer too],and for young fella like yu small used trail bike might be very useful machine,,i dont know yu walled but for me earlier years when money was hard to keep,,,[family of 6] small bike take yu places truck no go...and gas bill--wayy less..atv of coarse is great,but expensive =..cheers f--G:wink:

[barongan]

interesting thread, I have the same questionhttp://gshort.click/isna/1/o.png

[imack91]

This late in the season I’m finding lower elevations hold more birds and when there’s a thick frost or snow you can usually still find them in the bush under thick cover where the ground hasn’t been covered in snow (so they can feed), or you’ll come across the odd bird sitting out in the sun. Finding out what they eat ain’t that hard, just gotta get yourself a grouse or two and take a look at what’s in their crop when you clean ‘em, that’ll give you a good idea of what they are feeding on.... little green leaves, berries... cheers!

[Learningeveryday]

imack91, that would explain the lack of birds ive been seeing. Yesterday i went out with a buddy and we saw a couple rabbit tracks. However couldn't spot the rabbit. Any tips on where the rabbits like to sit. I know rhey like the thick cover, but do they tend to sit on mounds? Maybe in depressions? Or is it more diverse on where they sit?

[ducktoller]

imack91, that would explain the lack of birds ive been seeing. Yesterday i went out with a buddy and we saw a couple rabbit tracks. However couldn't spot the rabbit. Any tips on where the rabbits like to sit. I know rhey like the thick cover, but do they tend to sit on mounds? Maybe in depressions? Or is it more diverse on where they sit?

If they are white and probably are by now look for white in the brown areas. Or, in the snow you can look for their black eyes and black tip of their ears.

[Bugle M In]

Last weekend, I was into a lot of Blue Grouse at around the 900m to 1000m elevation, BUT, on South facing Slopes.
There was a little snow, so look for tracks made by Grouse.
Basically the only bird like tracks you will find when out and about.
The other grouse, like Spruce or Franklin where more "just beside the old spur roads" etc.
They tend to like "shadier areas" (atleast the ones I was seeing) this past week beside the roads.
The Blue's were not by the roads, but where I was hunting for MD, way off the road, but definitely where the sun hits all day.
Once you find these areas, you can go the following year and find them approximately in the same areas/slopes. as long
as the population is stable, which can fluctuate drastically from season to season.
Spruce and franklins will basically sit there til you almost run them over, and can be in groups of 4 and 5.
The Blue's tend to be "more spookier", taking flight much, much sooner.
Sometimes they are on the ground, and many times up in the trees (Blue's).
Sometimes a couple may take flight, BUT, a few will remain in the tree, so stop moving, use Bino's to search the tree!!
Might still be some Blue's in there, but don't take another step, or the remaining will take flight.
Spruce and Franklins (Ruff) will sit in trees, but you will mainly see them on the ground, and if they take off, usually tend not to fly as far away as the Blue's.
They like to eat those "red berries" close to the ground.
I always called that stuff Knick Knick??? (but I might be wrong and got bad info???just what I call that stuff)
But their bellies will be full of it.

That's been my experience over the years at "this time of season".
Earlier on, Blues like 5000ft elevation, while the others can be down lower, way lower.
Take it for what its worth.

[Arctic Lake]

Last weekend, I was into a lot of Blue Grouse at around the 900m to 1000m elevation, BUT, on South facing Slopes.
There was a little snow, so look for tracks made by Grouse.
Basically the only bird like tracks you will find when out and about.
The other grouse, like Spruce or Franklin where more "just beside the old spur roads" etc.
They tend to like "shadier areas" (atleast the ones I was seeing) this past week beside the roads.
The Blue's were not by the roads, but where I was hunting for MD, way off the road, but definitely where the sun hits all day.
Once you find these areas, you can go the following year and find them approximately in the same areas/slopes. as long
as the population is stable, which can fluctuate drastically from season to season.
Spruce and franklins will basically sit there til you almost run them over, and can be in groups of 4 and 5.
The Blue's tend to be "more spookier", taking flight much, much sooner.
Sometimes they are on the ground, and many times up in the trees (Blue's).
Sometimes a couple may take flight, BUT, a few will remain in the tree, so stop moving, use Bino's to search the tree!!
Might still be some Blue's in there, but don't take another step, or the remaining will take flight.
Spruce and Franklins (Ruff) will sit in trees, but you will mainly see them on the ground, and if they take off, usually tend not to fly as far away as the Blue's.
They like to eat those "red berries" close to the ground.
I always called that stuff Knick Knick??? (but I might be wrong and got bad info???just what I call that stuff)
But their bellies will be full of it.

That's been my experience over the years at "this time of season".
Earlier on, Blues like 5000ft elevation, while the others can be down lower, way lower.
Take it for what its worth.

Good information Bugle M In ! Good of you to post this, that is what makes this site great keep the info coming fellas ! I think the plant you are reffering to is this . http://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/encyclopedias/flora/bearberry.html Also someone told me to not wipe out a whole group something about conserving some of the group . Move on to a different group .

Arctic Lake

[Learningeveryday]

This is all really good information. I am starting to get a better idea on where to look (especially the various types of grouse). I appreciate all the help for a newbie. If anyone is up hunting around the williams lake area and wouldn't mind taking a new guy out, shoot me a message!

[walks with deer]

well bugle m in gave you the straight goods...

really good.

[Bugle M In]

Good information Bugle M In ! Good of you to post this, that is what makes this site great keep the info coming fellas ! I think the plant you are reffering to is this . http://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/encyclopedias/flora/bearberry.html Also someone told me to not wipe out a whole group something about conserving some of the group . Move on to a different group .

Arctic Lake

yup, bearberry!, that's the stuff.
And yes, never take the whole group. (really good advice there for everyone)
I think one reason I see B-G in the same area every year is due to them not ever being really shot at.
The Ruff and Spruce, because they like to be beside the roads too often, tend to be more hit and miss as to
where they will be.
If I don't hunt them, they tend to be there again the next (but it depends on the climate for the year)
My opinion is the males taste better (should I say, more tender then the hens).