While out scouting my deer areas and looking for that ever elusive 4 point or any WT buck I've also taken some time to travel the out of the way roads that I always see some grouse on. Been keeping a running tally and in 7 days of hunting so far this season I have now seen exactly 100 birds. This has been the 4-5th year running that I've seen that many grouse in the month of September so the population has been pretty consistent.
The first week it was probably about 75% spruce,,,,the rest were ruffies. This week in the same area the numbers have reversed because all those fool hens probably met their demise. The ruff grouse are sure getting skittish, though. That being said, I've had no issues getting a bag limit each of those seven days with my griff, Sako.
How are the numbers in your area?
A few photos to come:
http https://imgur.com/quRkitK
Last edited by mastercaster; 09-23-2019 at 03:30 PM.
Im taking my 1 year old GSP out for her hunt this coming sunday (bringing my 6 year old son too, for his first hunt). Done a bunch of training and working on gun conditioning, so hopefully we can find a bird or two to point/shoot! Only doing a day trip, but eager to get out with the dog and see what we can find (I think my son is more excited that I am).
I was in region 8 on Sept 1st weekend. Didn't see a single grouse.
Region 8 is where I'm getting all my birds but I RARELY see grouse in the areas I see and shoot my deer. I will see the odd deer in my grouse spots but they would probably be unshootable ,,,,unless they were standing on the road because it's so thick and bushy. If they moved 10' off the road you wouldn't likely have an ethical shot because they'd be in the thick of things.
That's the kind of habitat that grouse like in Region 8. You don't see them along clear cuts or other open forested areas. The skinnier and less used a FSR is used the better your chance of seeing grouse is my experience.
Sure helps to have a dog that can retrieve them out of the real tough spots:
https://imgur.com/g0OQB3y
Last edited by mastercaster; 09-23-2019 at 03:28 PM.