GROUSE 2025...the Season is looming!

[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?