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Author Topic: Flushed my first grouse  (Read 5129 times)

Offline dmv9

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Flushed my first grouse
« on: August 11, 2013, 04:52:50 PM »
I went out scouting today on some DNR lands and was walking the road and flushed a ruffed grouse off his thumping log :) Unfortunately, that was the only grouse I saw that morning. The terrain was very very thick. I had an extremely hard time just even getting off the road. And what was on Google Earth was definitely not what I saw. I'm still working on reconciling my pictures and GPS markers with what Google saw :(

I tried another part of the DNR land and saw what looked like grousy habitat but it was only about 8' wide and about 20' long and EMPTY.

I saw PLENTY of cover, gravel (road), and food (berries but unripe at the moment).

This is my very first time out scouting for grouse, so I'm a little disappointed that I only saw one.

Also, I need an orange backpack. I was trying to carry too much in my fanny pack.

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2013, 05:24:26 PM »
I saw two yesterday. Hen and this years chick. Hen would not leave the road or fly off.
My buddy flushed three on a different road.
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Offline paulf919

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2013, 06:37:49 PM »
Saw 4 a few days ago at an undisclosed location.

Offline paulf919

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2013, 06:41:32 PM »
Gettin pumped for sept!!

Offline troyspinetar

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2013, 06:54:52 PM »
We saw a hen and 3 youngins today. Jumped off the road and the hen just sat there watching us 15 ft away!

Offline jackelope

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2013, 06:56:21 PM »
How much time did you spend walking around?
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

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Offline RifleRidge

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2013, 07:18:21 PM »
Sunday     Sept. 1     -    Sunday     Sept. 8     6:00    to    8:15       5:45    to    8:00


Good Luck .. A very fine meal Indeed.

Offline dmv9

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2013, 07:29:21 PM »
I was there at the site from 6a and left around 11a.

How much time did you spend walking around?

Offline dmv9

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2013, 07:29:48 PM »
Lucky you. Maybe we should team up ;-)
Saw 4 a few days ago at an undisclosed location.

Offline paulf919

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2013, 07:56:18 PM »
Lucky you. Maybe we should team up ;-)
Saw 4 a few days ago at an undisclosed location.

Well lets see if I can find em again...

Offline jackelope

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2013, 08:18:01 PM »
I was there at the site from 6a and left around 11a.

How much time did you spend walking around?
Stillwater?
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline yorketransport

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2013, 08:24:40 PM »
I was out bear hunting last weekend and saw a total of 10 grouse. 5 of them were this years chicks though. I'll probably let them get a little bigger. :chuckle:

It looks like it should be a pretty good year.

For the record, they were all in the Vail Tree Farm. That permit was the best $150 I've spent in a long time. :tup:

Andrew

Offline Stilly bay

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2013, 08:52:44 PM »

This is my very first time out scouting for grouse, so I'm a little disappointed that I only saw one.


I wonder how many saw you?

 :twocents: Lower your expectations for Western Wa grouse. If you stick with it long enough one bird days will lift your spirits, multiple bird days will make you feel like you just won the lotto.

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Offline AspenBud

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2013, 06:53:35 AM »

This is my very first time out scouting for grouse, so I'm a little disappointed that I only saw one.


I wonder how many saw you?

 :twocents: Lower your expectations for Western Wa grouse. If you stick with it long enough one bird days will lift your spirits, multiple bird days will make you feel like you just won the lotto.

Something else to consider. Ruffed grouse run. It is a myth that they don't and they can often get out of ear shot before flushing by doing that. That's why a good pointing dog that has some time on grouse is worth it's weight in gold, they know when to push them and when not to and will be more efficient at finding them in heavy cover.

Early season cover is always rough. But remember, that will change later in the Fall and where the birds choose to hide may as well at that point.

Offline dmv9

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #14 on: August 12, 2013, 08:59:50 AM »
No way. It was the site you mentioned to me.
I was there at the site from 6a and left around 11a.

How much time did you spend walking around?
Stillwater?

Offline ctwiggs1

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #15 on: August 13, 2013, 07:34:11 AM »
Unfortunately, that was the only grouse I saw that morning.

And that's called Western WA grouse hunting :)

The most I've seen on a single trip is two.  They are a real treat after a long day of hunting though.

Offline Forrestrover.02

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #16 on: August 14, 2013, 10:23:16 PM »

Offline ctwiggs1

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #17 on: August 19, 2013, 09:34:17 AM »

This is my very first time out scouting for grouse, so I'm a little disappointed that I only saw one.


I wonder how many saw you?

 :twocents: Lower your expectations for Western Wa grouse. If you stick with it long enough one bird days will lift your spirits, multiple bird days will make you feel like you just won the lotto.

Something else to consider. Ruffed grouse run. It is a myth that they don't and they can often get out of ear shot before flushing by doing that. That's why a good pointing dog that has some time on grouse is worth it's weight in gold, they know when to push them and when not to and will be more efficient at finding them in heavy cover.

Early season cover is always rough. But remember, that will change later in the Fall and where the birds choose to hide may as well at that point.

 :yeah:

Offline cardboard slayer

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #18 on: August 24, 2013, 09:19:49 PM »
put the miles in there's 3 bird days here go out and get them 3 birds and a bunny a grate day

Offline Smossy

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #19 on: August 24, 2013, 09:23:43 PM »
If you want grouse, Head down toward Riffe lake, go to where the fishing bridge is on the far south east side of the lake, Once you cross the bridge, take a left. Drive down that road... There's TONS of grouse. Just DRIVING we probably flushed 10 or so  in 6 miles off the side of the road.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

Offline paulf919

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #20 on: August 24, 2013, 09:42:21 PM »

put the miles in there's 3 bird days here go out and get them 3 birds and a bunny a grate day

Thought it was four birds a day?


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Offline Smossy

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #21 on: August 24, 2013, 09:46:58 PM »

It i

put the miles in there's 3 bird days here go out and get them 3 birds and a bunny a grate day

Thought it was four birds a day?


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It is, 4 birds a day. 12 Total in possession.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

Offline cardboard slayer

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Re: Flushed my first grouse
« Reply #22 on: August 24, 2013, 10:09:28 PM »
ya 4 a days a hard one to get. geting a good clean shot off is hard almost harder then finding the birds I love walking around the bend in the road hopeing and looking it never let's be down. lots of fast shots sometimes there just to fast and gone before you get the gun up

 


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