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.

[alecvg]

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.

Thanks for the response.  I have really been wanting to get out as I missed out on all my September high country grouse hunting this year.  I have been thinking about heading up into the high country to look for blues, but I definatly will look for some ruffed down lower as well.

[pjb3]

I'm for sure up for a hunt before the season closes, anyone local wanna go chasing them?

[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.

Thanks for the response.  I have really been wanting to get out as I missed out on all my September high country grouse hunting this year.  I have been thinking about heading up into the high country to look for blues, but I definatly will look for some ruffed down lower as well.

IMO blues are a lot harder to hunt this time of year because they will be in the thick timber and reprod and they don't come out in the open unless we get a sunny day. since they live off pine needles at this time there is really no reason for them to leave their pine fortresses where its almost impossible to get a crack at them unless you have sharp eyes and a .22. your mileage may vary.

[JackOfAllTrades]

really no reason for them to leave their pine fortresses where its almost impossible to get a crack at them unless you have sharp eyes and a .22. your mileage may vary.

With most of the foliage dropped now, they are on high alert and will flush at the slightest movement. Their eye sight isn't as good as a Turkey, but you might think so this time of year.  Later in the season, I agree with the 'scoped 22' instead of the shottie.
 
-Steve

[bobcat]

They might be hard to find but if you do find them, there could be dozens all together. Many years ago when there was a general late season muzzleloader hunt in the Alta unit, my brother and I were up on Sawtooth Ridge in about a foot of snow. We came up under a couple of fir trees and the blue grouse began flying out of those trees. There must have been a hundred of them, or at least that's the way I remember it. Sure was wishing I had my 20 gauge in my hands then instead of the muzzleloader.

[Stilly bay]

They might be hard to find but if you do find them, there could be dozens all together. Many years ago when there was a general late season muzzleloader hunt in the Alta unit, my brother and I were up on Sawtooth Ridge in about a foot of snow. We came up under a couple of fir trees and the blue grouse began flying out of those trees. There must have been a hundred of them, or at least that's the way I remember it. Sure was wishing I had my 20 gauge in my hands then instead of the muzzleloader.

that must have been awesome to witness.

i haven't seen more than a dozen together over here on the west side.

[singleshot12]

Most of the west side ruffeds I've harvested in December and January have had their crops stuffed full of this particular ground cover(not sure the name) but it grows in very damp areas usually with buttercups

[BOWHUNTER45]

Most of the west side ruffeds I've harvested in December and January have had their crops stuffed full of this particular ground cover(not sure the name) but it grows in very damp areas usually with buttercups

10 -4 0n that 

[alecvg]

Hmmm... dont remember seeing that in any areas near me, but I will keep my eyes open!

[BOWHUNTER45]

Hmmm... dont remember seeing that in any areas near me, but I will keep my eyes open!

Walk some old grades that run threw the reprod ...should not be hard to find 

[singleshot12]

it's a native plant deer love it too

[Forrestrover.02]

Did a little grouse hunting today with JohnG and his dog. No luck.

[B-Nut]

If I am walking a logging road and flush a bird but not get it will it come back to that area in a bit or is it gone for the day?

[AspenBud]

The rules don't really change for grouse in December. Find the food and you'll find birds.

[Stilly bay]

The rules don't really change for grouse in December. Find the food and you'll find birds.

except we can actually see them flush in december rather than just hearing them in october... not that it matters to all the ground pounders out there who think the only thing grouse eat is gravel.

[B-Nut]

Well I managed to flush a couple yesterday after going down some game trails but never got a shot. Of course after hiking all afternoon I finally get my first grouse while.driving down the mountain. Good eats!