Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?

[Dave Workman]

Was up above Snoqualmie Pass Sunday. Place was loaded with people picking huckleberries, and they had a lot to pick!
My guess is there are tons of em just on the one ridge north of Keechelus Lake and I-90. I counted at least a dozen people heading up into the brush.
Nobody had seen any bears in their wanderings, but with a crop like this, I expect there must be a few blue grouse in the neighborhood, and I would not be surprised to learn of a black bear or two wandering around.

GROUSE Opener is 3 weeks away. Sunday, Sept. 15. I've already got my .22 rifle and pistol zeroed, and now I get to haul out one of my 20-gauge guns to clobber some clay targets.

How's the berry crop where any of you have been scouting?

[bartholomew]

I have been bear hunting in the S. Cascades throughout August and saw a similar story: great berry crop (huckleberries, blueberries, thimbleberries, salmonberries), many berry pickers, plenty of bear scat but no bears, and dozens of grouse, mostly in groups of two to four.

[bartholomew]

Another photo on the gravel road.

[hunter399]

Seen a few the other day.
They where looking tasty.
Didn't even want to fly off the road.

[MMCCAULEY]

Sure hope it’s a good year.  Season starts soon!  Can’t wait to follow my dog around the woods. 

[ganghis]

Yeah, seems like a record number of berries both in the cascades and the olympics.  Haven't seen any bears though.  I think of it like this: if there's lots to eat, there's not much to be gained from walking around a lot in visible locations.  Probably bears staying in cover more if there's plenty to eat there.  That's the theory anyway - I know they've tested that out in the midwest with collared bears in Minnesota moving a lot more in years that have less available food.

[Dave Workman]

Another photo on the gravel road.

THIS is the kind of photo I really enjoy! Birds just ba-dooping along, heading for the stew pot!
We could be in for a decent year.

[hawks33]

Saw 15 on one road this weekend near snoqualmie. All roughs, but looking like a good year. Got to see one fanned out too!

[Loup Loup]

9/28/23 5500’. Protein was on the menu. For them and me.

[hunter399]

This will work you up dave.