Newbie

[Quimby]

I have never hunted for upland birds before.  I have been trying to research this topic and it seems a bit overwhelming, but I am sure like anything else, it just a matter of doing.  I want to take my son grouse hunting next weekend, which also happens to be opening weekend for deer.  We are planning on going over near Lake Wenatchee.  So, I have a few questions I was wondering if anyone would be willing to answer for me.

1. I have an upland game bird license for turkey.  I was reading the regulations and it made reference to forest grouse and needing a deer or elk tag for any rifle or handgun larger than a 24 caliber or a shotgun containing a slug or buckshot during modern firearm elk or deer season.  It goes on to say that grouse may be taken with shotguns as well as firearms smaller than 24 caliber during the entire grouse hunting season.

Question: If I use a 12 guage shotgun, I don't need a deer or elk tag.  That is how I understand it. 

2. What type of shot do I use and is there a desired type of choke?

3. I have read in the regulations that Sage and Sharp-tailed grouse are protected.  Is it that easy to tell them apart and what type of grouse are in the Lake Wenatchee area?  I don't want to make a mistake if I do get a chance to shoot at one.

4. How do you clean them once you get them.  Are there any good websites or tricks?

5. Any good areas around the Lake Wenatchee area that anyone would like to share.  If not, I understand.

That is all I can think of right now.  If anyone has any tips for me, please let me know.  I want to learn all I can before I hit the woods.

Thank You

 

[boneaddict]

Iceman is the resident grouse expert.
1. You are correct about the 12 gauge being ok and I would recommend 6 shot I guess.
as far as I know you won't see any of those type of grouse in that area, but you'll need to google those species and learn your quarry.  You will be hunting Blue and Ruffed for the most part.
I haven't cleaned a grouse in a decade so leave that for someone else.   Anywhere moist will hold ruffed, and ridgetops will hold your Blue. 

[boneaddict]

Here is a Blue

[boneaddict]

Javman posted some great Ruffed Grouse pics on here and one of our photo of the month winners last year was a nice male Blue.

[DeKuma]

Ice is the expert but........

I use either a 12GA or 20GA with modified choke.
I prefer to use 6 shot, but have also used 7 1/2.  4 works well for LONG distance shooting, but really messes them up if within 20-30 yards.
To clean them, for the most part, I keep only the breasts for self and feed the dogs the rest.  To breast them, I cut a slit in the gullet (base of the neck) and peel the skin back to expose the breast, put two fingers into the gullet up under the breast bone, stand on the wings and pull up separating the breat bone from the carcass.

You can hunt them with a shotgun anytime the grouse season is open regardless of deer or elk.

and lastly, as Bone said, you should not see sage or sharptail where you are asking about, but who knows, it could happen.  Best bet is to look at photos of all species so you can be prepared to identify.  Blues and Ruffs are easy to tell apart from the others in my opinion.

[Quimby]

Great stuff.  Thank you.

[stumprat]

Cut the head off stand on the wings where they meet the body, pull the feet. All thats left is breast & wings cut the wings off, quick rinse and off ya go.

[NW-Eric]

  just step on the wings and pull on the feet

[SilkWWU]

I find the easiest and most effective way for grouse and pheasant is I just slice the neck open, break wings and feet off, and then peel like a sock.  I can have the full grouse cleaned in about 3 minutes.

[boneaddict]

heres another grouse for ya.  I can't believe I don't have any ruffed photos

[shorthair-on-point]

I would use 7 1/2 with an improved cylander.

[Quimby]

Another question for all of you.

When shooting do you aim for the head/neck area?  Or is it to fast that you just shoot at the bird. 

Again, thanks to all that have responded.  This has been very beneficial and I hope to someday pass the knowledge that I am learning on to others.

[DeKuma]

Really depends on the situation for me.  I usually just pull up and put the bead at the head/neck and shoot.  My wife on the other hand always puts the bead over top of the head and gets them with no pellets in the breast.  Does not work for me though.


This is a Ruffed Grouse, by the way.  You can tell by the way the feathers on the head stand up and the color is a mottled brown.