GROUSE?

[netcoyote]

Good weather, bad weather, predation, fires, hunting pressure or no pressure all can be factors affecting grouse populations. As if it wasn't complicated enough, there is the "grouse cycle" to consider.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruffed_Grouse
I've read about this in almost every document talking about grouse populations. It's probably been kicked around on this forum somewhere. Generally speaking, grouse populations seem to rise to a peak and then fall back over a ten year cycle. This seemed to align with my experience because I started hunting grouse about ten years ago and seemed to find a lot of birds. I also had lousy luck the last two years. If the cycle theory is valid, we should start to see an increase in populations soon. Again, this is general cycle information and all the local impacts mentioned above still apply to local populations.
At least a guy can dream....

[MtnMuley]

I believe in the cycle theory also.  However, when the hatch is pretty much non-existant (except for maybe a few late 3rd hatches) for 3 straight years, reguardless of any part of the cycle, hunting won't be good.

[Ironhead]

Another thing I have noticed with the Grouse this year is that the broods are very small, 1 to 3 chicks at the most.

[Pathfinder101]

I believe in the cycle theory also.  However, when the hatch is pretty much non-existant (except for maybe a few late 3rd hatches) for 3 straight years, reguardless of any part of the cycle, hunting won't be good.

[fethrduster]

I find it curious that the grouse thread on this forum always exceeds six or seven pages, while posts about other species rarely exceed two.  Interesting.

[bobcat]

I find it curious that the grouse thread on this forum always exceeds six or seven pages, while posts about other species rarely exceed two.  Interesting.

 
That's probably because EVERYBODY is a grouse hunter, even if it's only while they're deer or elk hunting. But very few people actually hunt the other upland birds because you pretty much have to have a dog to be successful.

[Dave Workman]

I find it curious that the grouse thread on this forum always exceeds six or seven pages, while posts about other species rarely exceed two.  Interesting.

 
That's probably because EVERYBODY is a grouse hunter, even if it's only while they're deer or elk hunting. But very few people actually hunt the other upland birds because you pretty much have to have a dog to be successful.

EXACTLY!
Grouse hunting is the way most kids get started in this state, and there are some of us loons who actually delight in chasing those old thunder chickens.

I like it so much I've written volumes about it, as many of my veteran readers are aware. Giving up some of my favorite grouse haunts is probably the work of madness setting in, but I love it when people can go out, using my tips, and fill their bags.
(One reason they'll never let me be WDFW director! )
 

But the late summer and early fall are *MY* time of the year. I relish it.

[Pathfinder101]

It has nothing to do with poor luck, it's all about poor hatches and bad weather in the areas I hunt.

THATS THE EXCUSE ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO GO WOTH THESE DAYS       

I know you were just stirring the pot, but the truth is that it depends on your area.  I live in the Blues and we saw almost no birds last year.  I went up to Colville NF with my son and saw tons over only a weekend.  If my boy and his cousin had been a little quicker both could have filled thier limits both days, with a couple to spare.  As it was, they each killed 4 birds.

[fethrduster]

I find it curious that the grouse thread on this forum always exceeds six or seven pages, while posts about other species rarely exceed two.  Interesting.

 
That's probably because EVERYBODY is a grouse hunter, even if it's only while they're deer or elk hunting. But very few people actually hunt the other upland birds because you pretty much have to have a dog to be successful.

I suppose that's true.  I don't big game hunt much anymore, as I have gotten so into upland hunting with my setter that I can't think of anything I'd rather do.  To me, a couple days chasing chukars, huns, quail and pheasants with my dog is as close to heaven as it gets.  As for grouse, they can be fun to hunt, and a good excuse to get out in the woods, but I seem to have a lot more success hunting other upland birds.

[TangoU]

I'll be out on Sept 1st.  It would be nice to fill the bag.  But it WILL be nice to be out in the woods and not working as well. 

[SpringerFan]

I'll be out on Sept 1st.  It would be nice to fill the bag.  But it WILL be nice to be out in the woods and not working as well. 

Me too!!! Going 1st and 2nd. Good luck!!!!

[cwegga]

Last year Dad and I got 12 birds out of Yakima County... 6 Blues.... 6 Ruffed...... Also got 8 out of Kitsap County.... All Ruffed..... We usually don't have a problem finding them...... If the hunting is slow or not seeing much and get into some grouse I pull out the Contender .410 and have a nice meal....

Mind sharing any tips for Kitsap? I don't see many out here. I'm not asking for your spots (unless you want to share ) but some tips would be cool.

[Pathfinder101]

grrr... all day cutting firewood and huckleberrying in the Blues yesterday.  Not one bird....

[grundy53]

I spent 5 days muzzleloading in north central Washington and saw 37 grouse. The numbers don't seem to be down as much as I thought they would be....