GROUSE 2025...the Season is looming!

[Dave Workman]

 

Well, it's almost July, which means grouse season is just over the horizon!  Now's a good time to:
Stock up on shotgun shells
Make sure your shotgun is clean and ready to rock
Start taking short walks with your hunting boots on (get into shape!)
Start thinking about birds on the wing, birds in the bag, and memories being made. 
Plan a scouting trek to your favorite hunting grounds.

Take a camera along!

Incidentally, now's the time to start sharing what you see out there.  I'll personally be hitting the high country north and south of Cle Elum, and I have a hankering to get up the Little Naches over in Yakima county again sometime this summer, maybe go up and over Government Meadows. Always grouse up there!

[hunter399]

Here ya go Dave.
Picture taken recently....
He was on a branch that was hanging over the road.
Picture was taken through my windshield,about two feet away.

[Dave Workman]

Here ya go Dave.
Picture taken recently....
He was on a branch that was hanging over the road.
Picture was taken through my windshield,about two feet away.

OUTSTANDING!   
The broods oughta be showing up over the next few weeks, and that will give us a fair impression about this year's hatch and the prospects for fall.

One thing I didn't mention and I really should have:  This is ALSO the right time of year to start polishing up your skills with a pistol if you plan to plug away at fool hens with a sidearm. It's no secret (Heck, I've written about it!) that I have this quirk about conking grouse with a .22 pistol, and have done so many times. They always eat better when you're not trying to dodge lead pellets at the dinner table 

For my practice sessions, I shoot at water-filled half-gallon milk jugs out to maybe 20-25 yards. The pistol in this image is a Ruger MK IV and it is remarkably accurate. I like a 40-grain RNL bullet and a couple of years ago, Roy Huntington (American Handgunner) sent me a little round die with which I can actually flat-file the tip of the bullet, and it is devastating for small game.

[hunter399]

Here ya go Dave.
Picture taken recently....
He was on a branch that was hanging over the road.
Picture was taken through my windshield,about two feet away.

OUTSTANDING!   
The broods oughta be showing up over the next few weeks, and that will give us a fair impression about this year's hatch and the prospects for fall.

One thing I didn't mention and I really should have:  This is ALSO the right time of year to start polishing up your skills with a pistol if you plan to plug away at fool hens with a sidearm. It's no secret (Heck, I've written about it!) that I have this quirk about conking grouse with a .22 pistol, and have done so many times. They always eat better when you're not trying to dodge lead pellets at the dinner table 

For my practice sessions, I shoot at water-filled half-gallon milk jugs out to maybe 20-25 yards. The pistol in this image is a Ruger MK IV and it is remarkably accurate. I like a 40-grain RNL bullet and a couple of years ago, Roy Huntington (American Handgunner) sent me a little round die with which I can actually flat-file the tip of the bullet, and it is devastating for small game.

We did observe for a minute or two
Didn't see any baby.
Seen a lot of turkey baby.
Your baby timing seems spot on....👍

[ghosthunter]

Yep going out this weekend to sight in for Bear season. I recently bought a Pietta colt army BP pistol. And going to work up some grouse loads for it.

Got an itch to shoot some grouse with BP pistol.

My list of grouse guns is growing. This year it’s.

Judge pistol
BP pistol
.410 SS coach gun
12 ga SS Coach Gun.

And maybe the Ruger SP 101 in .22

Can’t wait.

Used The Coach guns last year.

[ghosthunter]

Coach

[Boss .300 winmag]

Coach

Nice looking gun. Where did you get it?

[Boss .300 winmag]

Saw a small brood yesterday, never saw the hen. If she was gone they were going fine on their own.

[ghosthunter]

Coach

Nice looking gun. Where did you get it?

Bought from a member here. Has screw in chokes.

I got a standard model 410 too . Got it at Skagit Arms.

[bobcat]

I saw lots of baby Blue grouse when I was out scouting a couple days ago. I sure wish it still opened on September 1st. Seems to be a ton of grouse this year. At last Blue grouse. Haven't really been seeing ruffed grouse.

[EnglishSetter]

I saw lots of baby Blue grouse when I was out scouting a couple days ago. I sure wish it still opened on September 1st. Seems to be a ton of grouse this year. At last Blue grouse. Haven't really been seeing ruffed grouse.

Is this on the west side anywhere near home?

I need to learn grouse.  Hunted upland all my life.  Chased roosters in 4 states last season.

[Dave Workman]

I saw lots of baby Blue grouse when I was out scouting a couple days ago. I sure wish it still opened on September 1st. Seems to be a ton of grouse this year. At last Blue grouse. Haven't really been seeing ruffed grouse.

Is this on the west side anywhere near home?

I need to learn grouse.  Hunted upland all my life.  Chased roosters in 4 states last season.

Grouse aren't like pheasants, except they both tend to explode from cover. Difference is you hunt grouse in forested areas and pheasants out in wide open corn/wheat/crop fields. 
Blue grouse hunt them at higher elevations. Forest grouse are in the lower elevations, along creek and river basins, in mixed hardwood and conifer forests.

My best advice is to keep checking back with this group and you'll learn plenty. Keep an eye on this thread especially! And watch for these critters along gravel roads mornings and evenings.

[EnglishSetter]

I saw lots of baby Blue grouse when I was out scouting a couple days ago. I sure wish it still opened on September 1st. Seems to be a ton of grouse this year. At last Blue grouse. Haven't really been seeing ruffed grouse.

Is this on the west side anywhere near home?

I need to learn grouse.  Hunted upland all my life.  Chased roosters in 4 states last season.

Grouse aren't like pheasants, except they both tend to explode from cover. Difference is you hunt grouse in forested areas and pheasants out in wide open corn/wheat/crop fields. 
Blue grouse hunt them at higher elevations. Forest grouse are in the lower elevations, along creek and river basins, in mixed hardwood and conifer forests.

My best advice is to keep checking back with this group and you'll learn plenty. Keep an eye on this thread especially! And watch for these critters along gravel roads mornings and evenings.

I've hunted a LOT of valley quail as well.  Varied habitat. 

Only shot a few ruffed grouse as opportunistic camp meat while traveling gravel roads.  Would seem nice to get into the interior some but maybe that's not required(?).

Been told there's grouse to the west of me (Winlock), but it's all walk in from the blacktop.   DNR land I think.  Chased pheasants once at Lincoln Creek release site, that was kind of a joke for chickens but the surrounding area looked possible for grouse(). 

I do have HuntX.

[Dave Workman]

I've hunted a LOT of valley quail as well.  Varied habitat. 

Only shot a few ruffed grouse as opportunistic camp meat while traveling gravel roads.  Would seem nice to get into the interior some but maybe that's not required(?).

Been told there's grouse to the west of me (Winlock), but it's all walk in from the blacktop.   DNR land I think.  Chased pheasants once at Lincoln Creek release site, that was kind of a joke for chickens but the surrounding area looked possible for grouse(). 

I do have HuntX.

If you want to hunt blue grouse, find a hiking trail and let it take you back into the forest on high ridges. The one drawback of trails early in the season are the jerks roaring their trailbikes along. screws up everything.
You might try your luck hunting up in Chelan and Okanogan counties, higher elevations, around berry fields. East Lewis and northern Skamania counties are good for blue grouse too. Green Trails or USGS topo maps show lots of trail areas all along the Cascades.

[Dave Workman]

They're not all this big, but some of 'em are!
Now's the time to be doing some pre-season scouting...despite the rotten high gasoline prices (thanks Jay & Bob)... up to places including Government Meadows north of Mt. Rainier, the Skate Creek drainage south of Mt. Rainier, Anywhere up in Okanogan County between Winthrop and Conconully, Chelan County up toward Maverick Saddle (where I clobbered the bird in the photo!), Kittitas County up above Liberty or up on Teanaway Ridge, The Cispus country in east Lewis County...
All of those secret spots that only 10,000 other people know about.   

Share your scouting reports. Buy a box of shells, make sure you've got your hunting license.

Think Grouse!!!!!   

[bmc02]

@Dave Workman what kind of sights are on your Ruger mark IV? I've got a 22/45 lite and got one grouse with it. But can't stand the factory sights and found the accuracy was poor. Thought about upgrading to a Williams peep or maybe a red dot. Until I find a solution I'll continue to use a long 22. Even if I have to haul it up on a 60# pack for high buck grouse.

[Dave Workman]

@Dave Workman what kind of sights are on your Ruger mark IV? I've got a 22/45 lite and got one grouse with it. But can't stand the factory sights and found the accuracy was poor. Thought about upgrading to a Williams peep or maybe a red dot. Until I find a solution I'll continue to use a long 22. Even if I have to haul it up on a 60# pack for high buck grouse.

They're factory sights, rear adjustable. I spent time at the range zeroing this pistol for shooting grouse and rabbits. It is deadly accurate.

[bmc02]

@Dave Workman what kind of sights are on your Ruger mark IV? I've got a 22/45 lite and got one grouse with it. But can't stand the factory sights and found the accuracy was poor. Thought about upgrading to a Williams peep or maybe a red dot. Until I find a solution I'll continue to use a long 22. Even if I have to haul it up on a 60# pack for high buck grouse.

They're factory sights, rear adjustable. I spent time at the range zeroing this pistol for shooting grouse and rabbits. It is deadly accurate.

Thanks. I definitely need some more range time with mine practicing. Also need to experiment with some different ammo.

[Dave Workman]

Thanks. I definitely need some more range time with mine practicing. Also need to experiment with some different ammo.

Might I suggest two good rounds for your 22/45?
Try the 38-grain Federal copper plated hollowpoint.
or
Try the Remington Thunderbolt. It's a 40-grain RNL bullet (no plating).
They have both worked for me remarkably well.

WINCHESTER also makes a .22 long rifle copper plated hollowpoint - 37 grains - and it is a consistently accurate load as well.

All three of these should work well in your 22/45.

Start by setting your target at 15 yards. Use a sandbag rest, two-hand hold, fire a five-shot string to see where your bullets hit. Adjust your rear sight accordingly. That's how I did it, and look at the results:

[bmc02]

Thanks. I definitely need some more range time with mine practicing. Also need to experiment with some different ammo.

Might I suggest two good rounds for your 22/45?
Try the 38-grain Federal copper plated hollowpoint.
or
Try the Remington Thunderbolt. It's a 40-grain RNL bullet (no plating).
They have both worked for me remarkably well.

WINCHESTER also makes a .22 long rifle copper plated hollowpoint - 37 grains - and it is a consistently accurate load as well.

All three of these should work well in your 22/45.

Start by setting your target at 15 yards. Use a sandbag rest, two-hand hold, fire a five-shot string to see where your bullets hit. Adjust your rear sight accordingly. That's how I did it, and look at the results:

Thank you for the tips, appreciate it! I was going to ask what range you sighted in at, again helpful. I have multiple types of 22 ammo to experiment with, including 2 of your recommendations. Will be going to the range very soon.

I've been pretty deadly with my 10/22 takedown with tech sights so have been hesitant to try the pistol again. But I bought the pistol specifically for grouse opportunities while on other hunts, so going to give it some more effort this year.

[Dave Workman]

Thanks. I definitely need some more range time with mine practicing. Also need to experiment with some different ammo.

Might I suggest two good rounds for your 22/45?
Try the 38-grain Federal copper plated hollowpoint.
or
Try the Remington Thunderbolt. It's a 40-grain RNL bullet (no plating).
They have both worked for me remarkably well.

WINCHESTER also makes a .22 long rifle copper plated hollowpoint - 37 grains - and it is a consistently accurate load as well.

All three of these should work well in your 22/45.

Start by setting your target at 15 yards. Use a sandbag rest, two-hand hold, fire a five-shot string to see where your bullets hit. Adjust your rear sight accordingly. That's how I did it, and look at the results:

Thank you for the tips, appreciate it! I was going to ask what range you sighted in at, again helpful. I have multiple types of 22 ammo to experiment with, including 2 of your recommendations. Will be going to the range very soon.

I've been pretty deadly with my 10/22 takedown with tech sights so have been hesitant to try the pistol again. But I bought the pistol specifically for grouse opportunities while on other hunts, so going to give it some more effort this year.

Give this a read..  http://www.thegunmag.com/so-you-want-to-hunt-small-game-with-a-22-caliber-pistol-eh/

[Dave Workman]

Okay, who's seeing what out there?
Anybody been doing a little grouse scouting? Broods spotted?
It's time to be getting ready to rock!  (I was younger and cuter, then! )
The shotgun in this image was a Stoeger Uplander, double triggers, fixed chokes and a great little grouse buster. It's actually a nice, lightweight smoothbore and the first 20-gauge I ever owned.
I'll be taking it out again this fall , I betcha!

[ZaneHunts]

Saw a hen with 4 or 5 chicks up by Hamma Hamma a couple weeks ago. Cute little buggers

[Boss .300 winmag]

Was out and about yesterday and saw 7 blues, no ruffs. I guess the ruffs are fair weather birds. One of the blues I saw was in the exact same spot I saw it as a chick (late hatch) yesterday it’s only sibling wasn’t with it. And it won’t even be worth taking on the opener it’s so small. Have never seen the hen either time.

[Dave Workman]

Saw a hen with 4 or 5 chicks up by Hamma Hamma a couple weeks ago. Cute little buggers

Not quite sure how this happened, but your image shows up sideways! 

They'll be growing fast from now on!  Looking good.  Thanks for the observation

[ghosthunter]

Well got today looking for a blackie. No go.

But saw seven grouse in four encounters. All of them lived up to thr Fool Chicken name.
I could easily got any of them with any weapon.

[desertbow]

Grouse aren't like pheasants, except they both tend to explode from cover. Difference is you hunt grouse in forested areas and pheasants out in wide open corn/wheat/crop fields. 
Blue grouse hunt them at higher elevations. Forest grouse are in the lower elevations, along creek and river basins, in mixed hardwood and conifer forests.

My best advice is to keep checking back with this group and you'll learn plenty. Keep an eye on this thread especially! And watch for these critters along gravel roads mornings and evenings.

Dave,
I'm just starting with grouse on the east side this season. I've seen a handful of forest grouse around 2,000'. When you say higher elevation, what elevation range is that?

[Dave Workman]

Dave,
I'm just starting with grouse on the east side this season. I've seen a handful of forest grouse around 2,000'. When you say higher elevation, what elevation range is that?

Above 3500-4000 ft. About where I encountered this hen and at least two of her brood Saturday afternoon. Anybody else spotting grouse these days?

[bmc02]

Idaho grouse opens on Saturday. Thinking of a NR small game license to get started over labor day weekend.
Have some hikes I want to do between priest lake and Bonners ferry. Any grouse reports for that area? I'm thinking blues up high on the ridges around 6000+.

[ghosthunter]

I counted seven between 2000 and 4000 the other day.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Idaho grouse opens on Saturday. Thinking of a NR small game license to get started over labor day weekend.
Have some hikes I want to do between priest lake and Bonners ferry. Any grouse reports for that area? I'm thinking blues up high on the ridges around 6000+.

Ugh, I saw four today in the Idaho mountains.🤣

[desertbow]

Thanks Dave! That helps.

I'm visiting family in southern Idaho in early October and am planning to chase some blue grouse and chukar along the way. Probably around McCall (grouse) and NW of Boise (chukar).

[TeacherMan]

Started the grouse season out in Idaho yesterday with a limit by 9am…

[ghosthunter]

Here grousey  grousey

.410 ready

[ghosthunter]

Was out I. The hill today saw 20 grouse in four different groups.

[kellama2001]

Started the grouse season out in Idaho yesterday with a limit by 9am…

Nice job!

[Naches Sportsman]

70 grouse in a 42 mile loop this evening while scouting for mule deer. Should have strapped my 20 gauge to my pack instead of carrying the .22 with me.

Feels good to finally get one with a gun and have a day off though. Been tormented by grouse every day at work since the opener.