Beginner Grouse Hunter Needs Advice

[perezz21]

The majority of my hunting experiences come from Eastern Washington quail hunts but lately I've been eager to hunt my native Western Washington and her elusive grouse. Because I'm new to hunting here I have a lot of (embarrassing) questions to help me get going in the right direction.

First and foremost, where can I go? I'm near Hwy 2 which runs through Sultan, Index, Skykomish, etc... I have seen tons of forest service roads but am I allowed to hunt on them? There are also massive amounts of old logging roads around here but I couldn't find any info on hunting regs. Blah, blah, blah. Where can I legally nab a bird in my area?

I'm also getting off to quite a late start on the season. Should I even bother hunting in all of this rain/snow? If so what should I do differently to catch a winter grouse? I'll be hunting without a dog... Morning, noon, early evening?

[NWBREW]

Do you want to catch one or shoot one?  Hunt the OLD logging roads.

[krout81]

Morning has always been the time I see the most.  Old logging roads that are on the east facing slopes when the sun hits them just right.  Evenings have seen some but nearly as many but you want to be on the west facing slopes.  Have jumped alot of them on old roads that have small pebbles and grass..

[Skyvalhunter]

It's going to be tough with all the snow on the logging roads further up hwy 2. Try some of the North fork roads.

[Black Plague]

if you go hiking up into the Priest-Salmo loop about 15 miles in you might be able to CATCH some spruce grouse, it might take 2 guys though to sneak up and push them towards you ...fishing net might be handy....I was up there last year and killed 4 by throwing rocks... tasty little bonus while backpacking late September.

[MikeWalking]

The Beckler River road going North from Skykomish is well plowed all winter. It has to be kept open for property owners that can't come up from Index, fix the damn road already

There are turnouts and other spots to park and get into the woods. If you see a silver Jeep with a Hunt Wa logo on the window that will be me snowshoeing up somewhere with Grandpa's 20ga

[chester]

I couldnt tell you if 62 is accesible. I never saw any grouse up there anyway. But I used to run into a bunch off of beckler.

[MikeWalking]

62? NO.  Gated Private land.   Used to be able to start there and go all the way to Snoqualmie.  The Logging Company, can't quite remember the name got mad and closed it off.  Slob shooters etc...