Where did the grouse go?

[raydog]

In the Olympic mountains there used to be lots of grouse.I remember when i was 5 or 6 seeing at least 5 grouse a day. I'm only 17 now. Any more your lucky to see some on a trip up into the hills. Where did they go? I don't even shoot them up there any more because they're rare. Are they over hunted or is there a disease. My dad and grandpa say they started to lose numbers in the 90's and it seems as though the numbers kept dropping for while.

[Eli346]

 I have a tendency to believe that the grouse populations started going down when the timber companies started using fertilizer on their tree farms in greater amounts. I've seen the same pattern as you're referring to in most areas I've been hunting for years. Not sure if that is the reason but it makes sense to me. I haven't been shooting them either as I'd like it to get back to a point where you could harvest one or two once in a while.

[bobcat]

The weather in the spring has a lot to do with it, as cold/wet weather can significantly affect survival of the chicks.

Of course habitat is a big factor as well, and that's where logging practices come in. I think the herbicides that they now regularly spray on clearcuts must negatively affect grouse, just as it does blacktail deer.

We did have a good grouse year in recent years here in SW Washington. It was in 2009. I recall going out several times and getting limits. I assume it was due to favorable spring weather that year.

[npaull]

I agree it seems like their numbers have gone down. I sure hope it's not the herbicides, how crappy that would be. I wonder if anyone's studying the issue - if the herbicide is knocking down deer/grouse numbers, it'd be a pretty strong incentive to get the logging companies to change their ways...

[dreamunelk]

#1 is wet spring.  We have just not had the weather needed for good hatches.  As for the rest of the suggested reasons above there is not proof.  Just observations and opinions.

[Southpole]

We have had a cold wet spring 3 years in a row. That's not good for any bird that has it's nest on the ground. Then add in the ever growing population of predators slurping up the eggs and chicks. 

[alecvg]

I don't necessarily think herbicides are the only reason, I have noticed smaller numbers in the wilderness areas too, I think the wet springs have been huge factors.

[Stilly bay]

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/birds/2006/10/true-cause-grouse-cycles

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/sepoct10/grouse_cycle.html

I think in western Wa it mainly has to do with habitat: areas that hold many grouse for a few years will mature and not attract them, time to find a new spot.

predators are big reason: when rabbits have a boom in population the predators focus on them allowing the grouse numbers to build back up. the rabbit pop crashes and the predators go back to grouse.

in western Wa: wet winters, springs, and summer cause a lot of die off from pneumonia and other ailments not to mention bad hatches.

2005 -2007 was the last big population boom and then it declined, Im betting in the next few years we start seeing more.

[duckmen1]

Certain areas I saw very little grouse this year and other areas I saw a lot. Only shot 3 though. I did not hunt them much. Saw a lot during deer and elk seasons.

[Fishaholic]

brush pickers dont help either they kill everything they can  legal or not.

[snowpack]

  I saw tons of grouse this year.  2011 and 2012 I saw more than I wanted to.

[raydog]

stilly bay, those are some good reads. so in a few years they should be back if Mother nature is kind.

[dreamunelk]

brush pickers dont help either they kill everything they can  legal or not.

Please state your source or is this just and opinion based on ignorance or racism?  Something that is not needed on this forum!  Comments like this make hunters & fishermen look bad.

I know WDFW officers, DNR, USFS, Tribal, & most of the timber security people.  In fact I have the privilege of working with them.  Guess what!  None would agree with your statement.  In fact it is rare to even find a firearm.  They search the rigs completely.  No blood, no fur, & no feathers!  Not saying it does not happen but, it is so rare that it does not even register.  They are not going to risk loosing their permit. 

[Skyvalhunter]

The very year they upped the limit to 4 the grouse population went down. Just a coincidence but the wet springs are tough on the birds.

[Fishaholic]

brush pickers dont help either they kill everything they can  legal or not.

Please state your source or is this just and opinion based on ignorance or racism?  Something that is not needed on this forum!  Comments like this make hunters & fishermen look bad.

I know WDFW officers, DNR, USFS, Tribal, & most of the timber security people.  In fact I have the privilege of working with them.  Guess what!  None would agree with your statement.  In fact it is rare to even find a firearm.  They search the rigs completely.  No blood, no fur, & no feathers!  Not saying it does not happen but, it is so rare that it does not even register.  They are not going to risk loosing their permit.

not all brush pickers are legal. have you been to gracys harbor lately and who the hell are you to judge me? i spend ever min i can in the woods.  I have seen them come out if the woods with 2 or 3 deer in there van. why does everyone always use the race card? are you one of the brush pickers who rape the land why us the tax payers pay for your rent and food while you clam you cant work but your really picking brush. it happens alot around gracys harbor ask any hunter who spends time scouting.