December grouse hunt

[legrange98]

Is there any grouse that time of year west of the north cascades.
Thanks!

[ghosthunter]

Up high

[duckmen1]

still seeing a few running around every place we've been
took one with the .22 smith and wesson in october
first for that gun

[legrange98]

Ya my family is coming up for the holidays and my uncle wants to on a upland bird hunt, so i have to be the researcher

[duckmen1]

the ones I've seen have been pretty skiddish
been seeing them along the river bottoms
I'm further south though
south cascades

[legrange98]

I have never hunted grouse before so how long is a shot?

[nwwanderer]

Somewhere between 3 ft. and 300 yards, normally with a great deal of noise, several trees bushes etc. between you and the bird and a glimpse for a shot.  Oh, by the way, a few good throwing rocks in your pocket can save meat.  Some of them are just suicidal.

[Kola16]

My favorite time to go...in the snow, on a snowmobile 

[Stilly bay]

SHHHHhhhh... don't tell anyone, but December is the best time to go. the foliage is off the trees and food sources are more isolated.

[fethrduster]

SHHHHhhhh... don't tell anyone, but December is the best time to go. the foliage is off the trees and food sources are more isolated.

Sweet!  I'm in.

[legrange98]

Sounds great to me!

[Phantom Gobbler]

Went out Saturday in the foothills and never flushed a bird.  Any ideas on where you are seeing birds that can be walked up would be appreciated!

[ribka]

Look for food sources to find grouse.

Find them in stands of Aspen and poplar trees now

[alecvg]

What are the best westside food sources this time of year?

[Stilly bay]

What are the best westside food sources this time of year?

as far as ruffed grouse go-

since its been a mild winter look for any type of fruit or berry that may still be up. they will often stake out black berry patches and get the old berries if pickings are slim. apples are a prime target if you know where an old orchard is.

if you can't find any type of berries clover is usually a winner. no clover, look for alder or willow buds.

when its nice out grouse move and travel a bit through out the day. when its been rainy like this for days on end they tend to hole up and only hit food sources next to their roosting cover. they like to roost in heavy timber, thick older reprod, anything that will keep them dry, even slash piles if there is a good enough food source nearby.