I want to get into grouse hunting. A couple of questions.

[ljsommer]

My wife and I want to get into bird hunting of all sorts (duck, upland) but are total novices. I particularly like the idea of grouse hunting. I think I have a fairly decent idea of how to get into it (drive to woods, get out of truck, walk) but I wanted to see if there was any "beginner tips" I should use to get started.

Also, I have an older (7 years) pointer/boxer mix and he has absolutely no training whatsoever but he's a great dog. Would it be crazy to bring him with me, more for him to have a good time than for his flushing abilities?

[Platensek-po]

Take the dog! Look for roads with mixed trees, water and food. I think if you hike almost any logging road long enough you will find some. If you do flush mark the spot. Chances are they will be there again next time.

[pianoman9701]

@Dave Workman

[wadu1]

Take the dog! Look for roads with mixed trees, water and food. I think if you hike almost any logging road long enough you will find some. If you do flush mark the spot. Chances are they will be there again next time.

Sound ideas here, make sure your dog can handle the gun report.

[mcrawfordaf]

Project Upland has been a huge source of information for me getting into grouse hunting: https://projectupland.com/grouse-species/ruffed-grouse-hunting/a-basic-guide-on-how-to-hunt-ruffed-grouse-2/

I would suggest reading up everything they have on it.

In my experience young aspen stands around creek bottoms are very productive for me on the East side.

[boneaddict]

I wouldn’t use a dog for grouse, but I’m sure it’s completely feasible and others might. 

[Humptulips]

I took my girlfriends dog along with me last year. He had zero training. He is mixed but a majority Lab. First grouse I shot, I winged, and it took off into a mess of fresh thinning. I would have never found it. Harvey took off after it and even though he wouldn't fetch and let you have whatever you threw he brought back that bird alive. He wouldn't give it to me, but he put it in the back seat and covered it with some cloths that were there. I looked back there, and it stuck its head out from under a coat and was looking around.
After that he retrieved every grouse for me and stashed them all in the back seat. He has a soft mouth too, so he never damages the grouse. He likes to stay close to me, so he is never busting stuff out of range.
I'm not a dog trainer but I got lucky. Hope you do too.

[craigapphunt]

When your walking or driving and bump one and he flies away keep a close eye on him often times they'll just go down the road or just up into some cover and land giving you a second chance. Also when you do spot a grouse often times there are others with it that you cant see. So if one flies away the others may not so keep that in mind too.

[ljsommer]

Love the suggestions thank you! Do I just walk fireroads? I know there've been some heated discussions on these forums about shooting birds on/near the fire roads proper; aside from foot traffic/vehicle traffic what sort of considerations should I be making there? Most of the grouse hunting I've heard of is right off the sides of these roads.

[metlhead]

Your dog will always be a bonus. Be aware that the woods are loaded with porcupine. Very likely your dog wil find one.

[Dave Workman]

@Dave Workman

What did ya want to ask me?

[ljsommer]

Your dog will always be a bonus. Be aware that the woods are loaded with porcupine. Very likely your dog wil find one.

I am located in Tacoma so I was just going to hunt grouse on the west side. I know we have plenty of grouse over here.

[bkaech]

Love the suggestions thank you! Do I just walk fireroads? I know there've been some heated discussions on these forums about shooting birds on/near the fire roads proper; aside from foot traffic/vehicle traffic what sort of considerations should I be making there? Most of the grouse hunting I've heard of is right off the sides of these roads.

I love eating grouse, and hunting them, but I don't hunt them very often. I primarily will always stay on roads to hunt grouse in Western WA. You do have to be careful about where you are shooting if it is possible for a vehicle or person to be coming around the corner then don't shoot. But shots I find on grouse are often on dead end spur roads with lots of grass on them, or off the edge of the road and both cases you can take shots that are safe, you just have to think about it and not get overly excited, which is easier said than done.

If I am in a new area I like to stay in my rig as much as possible to cover more ground more quickly. Then when I have seen grouse in a particular area or down an old spur road, then I will walk it in the future.

[BigGoonTuna]

Anywhere that there's a wide grassy shoulder along the road through alders I seem to find them.  Also, look for roads that have been closed and allowed to get overgrown.  They always seem to love dandelions and snow berries from what I've found in their crops.

[nwwanderer]

Explore the different species, neat critters even within a species.  Studying is great, doing it is better

[craigapphunt]

Love the suggestions thank you! Do I just walk fireroads? I know there've been some heated discussions on these forums about shooting birds on/near the fire roads proper; aside from foot traffic/vehicle traffic what sort of considerations should I be making there? Most of the grouse hunting I've heard of is right off the sides of these roads.

All I can say is 99% of my grouse hunting is done off logging roads and about a 50/50 split on foot vs driving both can be very productive. I just cover ground and look for them along the shoulder of the roads, it won't take long and you'll develop an eye for picking out their shape/ silhouette or just a head poking above the grass.

[Mochi]

When your walking or driving and bump one and he flies away keep a close eye on him often times they'll just go down the road or just up into some cover and land giving you a second chance. Also when you do spot a grouse often times there are others with it that you cant see. So if one flies away the others may not so keep that in mind too.

Had that exact experience yesterday.  Saw one through the small brush on the side of a road as I was walking.  Tried to maneuver to get a shot on it and it took off in to the trees.  It didn’t go far so I walked in to try to find it to no avail.  Once I got on the road to keep going, thinking that was it for that spot, I walked about 50 feet and off flushed another.  I’m new to strictly grouse hunting and am learning a lot the hard way