Flushed my first grouse

[dmv9]

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.

[ghosthunter]

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.

[paulf919]

Saw 4 a few days ago at an undisclosed location.

[paulf919]

Gettin pumped for sept!!

[troyspinetar]

We saw a hen and 3 youngins today. Jumped off the road and the hen just sat there watching us 15 ft away!

[jackelope]

How much time did you spend walking around?

[RifleRidge]

Sunday     Sept. 1     -    Sunday     Sept. 8     6:00    to    8:15       5:45    to    8:00


Good Luck .. A very fine meal Indeed.

[dmv9]

I was there at the site from 6a and left around 11a.

How much time did you spend walking around?

[dmv9]

Lucky you. Maybe we should team up ;-)

Saw 4 a few days ago at an undisclosed location.

[paulf919]

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...

[jackelope]

I was there at the site from 6a and left around 11a.

How much time did you spend walking around?

Stillwater?

[yorketransport]

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.

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.

Andrew

[Stilly bay]

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?

  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.

[AspenBud]

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?

  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.

[dmv9]

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?