taking kids grouse hunting for first time

[big ed]

I don't want anybodies secret place to grouse hunt .just need a place to take my kids where I can teach them how to hunt without getting in anyones way.They want to learn how to hunt so i figure birds are the easies to learn on them i will break them in on deer and elk.o we live up by stanwood .thanks for any help

[RailRob]

grouse is closed for the season..closed dec 31st

[big ed]

just planning for this years season coming up, yea I know it's a long way out .By the time it's here my oldest hopfully will be a good shot with her new shotgun. just trying to figure out where to take them so i can plan ahead.

[RailRob]

cool, good luck!!!!!!!

[ICEMAN]

Big Ed, any relations to Special Ed?   

Hey just kidding..

Anyway, for the grouse thingy, I recommend any of the national forest areas in Eastern Washington. We just broke my son into actually pulling the trigger this year and a grouse was his first kill. He has tagged along for years, but just got licensed.

I will PM some suggested areas.

[Birdguy]

 
There are a ton of good areas in the national forests on the east side. The hatch this spring summer will decide what areas are going to be good this year. Of course there will be areas that just have good numbers and hatch well each year. I would guess that there are a few good spots up in your area on public ground but I would not know where, and chances are there will still be more people around then on the east side. Grouse hunting is  great time for kids, the weather is warm early season, you can fish in the afternoon, camping is always fun in good weather. I took my nephew when he was 3 and my son has been going since he was 2 1/2. He wants to go everyday now. Soon he will take his hunters safety course on then the birds will be in trouble

[big ed]

No relation

We have a lot of foot work now.she read the pm .now she want to start looking.I think I got another bird hunter on my hands thats good .

[ICEMAN]

Awesome, good luck this Sept.

[RPM]

rabbit seasons still open till march 15

[hawksfan75]

Well, I'm not a kid, but a buddy and I have decided that we're going to go after some birds this fall as a way to ease into hunting ourselves, so I would appreciate some suggestions on where to go as well.

ICEMAN, any chance I can get that PM as well 

[Skyvalhunter]

If you just wanted to hunt in your area I would go up some of those logging roads around Darrington. Go up the gated roads and walk. If you want to head east try the Wenatchee forest or Oakanogan. You can hit it high for blue grouse or go down low for natives or ruffed grouse. I have been grouse hunting on the east side since I was knee high to a tall indian. Last year was a tough year for grouse as far as off spring. If its a wet, cold spring this can hurt the birds. But they are able to have a 2nd batch later in the spring if the first didnt happen or die off. I was able to get my limits last year when I went out but you have to get off the beaten path to do real good. Just camp out and take the kid hunting that will be memories to last him a life time. I  still hunt the same area I did when I was young. Every year the memories come flooding back.

[big ed]

thanks sky I'll take your advise on darrington it's 25miles from me so it's a start might go for a walk tomorrw just to check things out.Might even take a rod out to find some steelies

[blacktail luv]

I don't know how everyone else grouse hunts, but down here we just drive around the old dirt and gravel roads in the evening.  They come onto the roads to get there grit.  We just shoot 'em off the road, real sporting i know but it is something the kids can do with some success.  Early in the year they are real dumb too and usually all the youngin's are with mom.  Can make for some quick limits early in the season.  Good Luck.