Grouse hunting forest service roads

[JRRJ2021]

Hello all,

I am going to try Grouse hunting on a forest service road this coming weekend. I have read a lot on here and other resources about hunting and I have seen Grouse in the area I will be in (along with some rabbits). My question is how odd will it be for others driving on the road to see me walking down the side of it in hunter orange with a bag and my shotgun being carried? The road is not super busy but sees a few cars an hour. I am not worried about other hunters in the area but there are others who use the road as well.

Any thoughts or comments on whether this is common or not or things I should watch out for/do or not do is appreciated.

Thank you

[rainshadow1]

They ask what you're doing... tell them. No big deal.

This is an opportunity to represent law abiding sportsmen exercising their rights.

[bobcat]

I would probably try to find roads that are gated or blocked. There should be plenty of options. I just don't enjoy hunting very much if vehicles are driving by regularly. Besides any grouse along a road that's commonly driven by other hunters are going to be shot before you even get a chance.

[CP]

It's pretty common to see hunters walking FS roads during hunting season.  Watch out for inattentive drivers and be prepared for dust and gravels showers from passing vehicles.

 

[Stein]

I agree, it's somewhat common (both grouse and big game hunters).  I would rather walk trails than roads, but to each their own.  If asked, I would say I'm hunting grouse.

[Platensek-po]

FYI you do not need to wear orange when hunting grouse unless their is a modern firearm Season open in that unit. I’m not saying you shouldn’t but you don’t have too. Saw 2 grouse off of a very busy FS road yesterday but I just don’t like taking them off the main roads. Good luck and stay safe!

[hunter399]

WARNING ⚠ Ethics Police!!!!!!

If it's open roads to drive ,if it was me I would just drive around till you see some.
Alot of times there may be more than one,like you see one in the road ,stop,pull over,shut engine off,put a stalk on that sucker ,or it may run off,but another may be up on the bank or in a spot that safe direction to shoot. Or sometimes you can drive past grouse1/4 mile down the road to walk back.
Better to shut the engine down that way you can hear any traffic that may be coming and shoot in a safe direction ,no blind corners and such.

[Buckhunter24]

I would probably try to find roads that are gated or blocked. There should be plenty of options. I just don't enjoy hunting very much if vehicles are driving by regularly. Besides any grouse along a road that's commonly driven by other hunters are going to be shot before you even get a chance.

  find a blocked off spur and walk it the last couple hours of the day

[Humptulips]

WARNING ⚠ Ethics Police!!!!!!

If it's open roads to drive ,if it was me I would just drive around till you see some.
Alot of times there may be more than one,like you see one in the road ,stop,pull over,shut engine off,put a stalk on that sucker ,or it may run off,but another may be up on the bank or in a spot that safe direction to shoot. Or sometimes you can drive past grouse1/4 mile down the road to walk back.
Better to shut the engine down that way you can hear any traffic that may be coming and shoot in a safe direction ,no blind corners and such.

[JRRJ2021]

WARNING ⚠ Ethics Police!!!!!!

If it's open roads to drive ,if it was me I would just drive around till you see some.
Alot of times there may be more than one,like you see one in the road ,stop,pull over,shut engine off,put a stalk on that sucker ,or it may run off,but another may be up on the bank or in a spot that safe direction to shoot. Or sometimes you can drive past grouse1/4 mile down the road to walk back.
Better to shut the engine down that way you can hear any traffic that may be coming and shoot in a safe direction ,no blind corners and such.

This is sort of what I plan to do. I have several areas marked on my  GPS where I have seen them previously so my plan is to park a quarter mile down road from these spots and then do a slow road walk up to and past them and hope to get a few. I do not think I will be walking miles and miles on the road or so I hope.

If I had a spot where I had seen the grouse off the road on trails or into the trees I would much prefer to go there but the only spot I have seen grouse in this area is on/around the gravel road. I also know I do not have to wear orange but I plan to for visibility for other drivers for my own safety.

Thanks for the input all and any other suggestions let me know.

[shotguunar]

don't have any idea where you are hunting but I am pretty sure it is not legal to fire any kind of firearm from a forest service road in okanogan county

[JRRJ2021]

don't have any idea where you are hunting but I am pretty sure it is not legal to fire any kind of firearm from a forest service road in okanogan county

I thought about that but the rules state: Negligently discharging a firearm (RCW 77.15.460): From, across, or along the maintained portion of any public highway, regardless of surface, or from within a moving vehicle or moving off-road vehicle is prohibited.

Emphasis being Negligently. If I am being careful and not negligent I think I am okay. (also per definitions of "public Highway" it means any maintained public road of any service type so not actually a highway.)

Thank you for chiming in though as it made me double check what I had previously read.

[CP]

don't have any idea where you are hunting but I am pretty sure it is not legal to fire any kind of firearm from a forest service road in okanogan county

I thought about that but the rules state: Negligently discharging a firearm (RCW 77.15.460): From, across, or along the maintained portion of any public highway, regardless of surface, or from within a moving vehicle or moving off-road vehicle is prohibited.

Emphasis being Negligently. If I am being careful and not negligent I think I am okay. (also per definitions of "public Highway" it means any maintained public road of any service type so not actually a highway.)

Thank you for chiming in though as it made me double check what I had previously read.

FS roads are under Federal jurisdiction in addition to the RCWs.  I'm pretty sure you need to step off the road before you dispatch the grouse. 

[bobcat]

Yeah, roads on the National Forest are illegal to shoot from. If it's not open to motorized vehicles, I wouldn't worry about it.

[MADMAX]

Jeez
Just step off the road when the bird flys up in a tree and drop him with a .410 or 20