GROUSE?

[walt]

What we need to do is create a coalition of stakeholders who can then petition WDFW to create a size/weight restriction (SWR) in certain GMUs, for lets say 5 years, to get the population to recover.  Within a few years we will have grouse the size of turkeys behind every tree.  It's the only logical thing to do, I think.






No wait... that would be ridiculous! 

[Heartsblood]

Considering I have dozens of "honey holes", and each one of them is down in population considerably, I'm not thinking that they've out grown their habitat.  I hunt the north central part of the state, which vastly differs than other areas.  Fire is to blame for some of the habitat loss, but other areas haven't changed at all.  I never take more than a limit or two out of each area, and I'm sure nearly all of the areas I hunt aren't overhunted.  I do believe in the "cycle" of the grouse, and have it seem to prove its truth, but this population decline we're in now is strictly weather related in my opinion.  They aren't getting the hatch with these wetter springs for 3 consistant years now.  I've never recalled 3 years in a row when we've got this much moisture in certain areas in this time frame. 

I just haven't been hunting long enough to observe the cycles thing. Last year was my 2nd year hunting grouse. I don't hunt over dogs. My first year, my first hunt I got a false sense of how easy grouse hunting is because I was lucky enough to take a ruffed grouse. Last year I improved by 100%. Meaning I was lucky enough to take two. Hardly enough experience to understand the cyclical nature of breeding success rates etc.

I have read a coupla few books about grouse and grouse hunting over the last two years. That's probably where I read about coverts changing from their previously suitable habitat.

Regardless, that first hunt hooked me good. Perhaps I have more favorable "cycles" to look forwards to?

Then there's this really stubborn part of me that doesn't want to believe that the birds aren't there, or that I won't be able to find them...

[MtnMuley]

In my neck of the woods, the Ruffled Grouse populations aren't hunting nearly as bad.  The reason I  posted on this topic is because the original poster influences many hunters from this state, and I was hoping maybe he would look into my observations.  Grouse hunting is one of my favorite pastimes. It gets me out in the mountains to get in better shape for the upcoming hunting seasons, while providing me with tablefare that I think is better than chicken.  This is a great resource we have, that's in trouble right now.  I'd like to see it continue to be a successful pastime for people like you Heartsblood, and everybody that would like to enjoy it, that's all.

[jdurham]

Grouse numbers are way down in the areas I used to hunt here just south of Newport.  Coyotes I would say are taking quite a few of the young and also raiding nests.  Predators are out of control in this state.  Trapping has become so restrictive that nobody really bothers.  Coyote numbers are way up.  They raise hell with the fawns and the calf elk and moose too.

[Heartsblood]

In my neck of the woods, the Ruffled Grouse populations aren't hunting nearly as bad.  The reason I  posted on this topic is because the original poster influences many hunters from this state, and I was hoping maybe he would look into my observations.  Grouse hunting is one of my favorite pastimes. It gets me out in the mountains to get in better shape for the upcoming hunting seasons, while providing me with tablefare that I think is better than chicken.  This is a great resource we have, that's in trouble right now.  I'd like to see it continue to be a successful pastime for people like you Heartsblood, and everybody that would like to enjoy it, that's all.

I know. I was just reading an old F&H mag the other day. While I have been and continue to be influenced by publications, they sometimes scare me with the sorta industrial/commercial approach to the wild.

I really appreciated your post about the sorta everyone get out there and get 'em excitement that I too get caught up in. It's hard for me to tell all the way from Bothell what is happening in say Tonasket, on a land base that I don't have much of a relationship with. I hafta read alot and talk with others. But there's alot of views on the thing...

I got into grouse hunting to get me into the mountains as well. I have yet to take a blue grouse but ruffed grouse is excellent table fare. I agree. I only wish I didn't hafta travel so much to hunt.

Ah well. I'm hooked now so there won't be any stopping that.

[alecvg]

I didn't get any last year.  Could have probably shot my limit every day of deer hunting in the methow, but I was hunting deer, not grouse.  I have heard alot so far this spring, saw a couple blues yesterday.

[Kain]

Heard lots of drumming while I was out today.  Tried to get a picture of them but couldnt find them.

[Armadillo]

I shot two during my deer trip..All the other times when I was out scouting I could have limited every trip. I saw a lot more this year

[stumprat]

My grouse areas were horrible last year.

The problem in the areas I hunt. Are a large population of Bobcats, and Coyotes.
But by far the worst years we have are after the timber companies !!!!!!!!!!!SPRAY THE ALDERS!!!!!!!!!!!
Which is what happened in our grouse areas.

[grundy53]

Red tailed hawks take a large toll on the grouse population too.

[Dave Workman]

It is pretty hard to mis-manage grouse because they sort of do their own thing.
But god help us if the WDFW ever figures out a way to "manage" the population.

I'm waiting until June to start hitting my honey holes and checking on grouse. By then the hatches out to be out and we could get a clearer picture of what to anticipate Sept. 1.

BTW: I don't think I have that much influence on things.  If I did, there'd be a different governor and different commission. 

[Heartsblood]

In regard to grouse "doing their own thing", I have a question that may not have a steadfast answer:

Generally, how far to females travel after mating, to nest? And, afterthe brood hatches, (generally) how far do they travel, and how long do they stay a flock/covey?

I understand there are so many variables but, is there really eve any kinda general consensus?

[grundy53]

In regard to grouse "doing their own thing", I have a question that may not have a steadfast answer:

Generally, how far to females travel after mating, to nest? And, afterthe brood hatches, (generally) how far do they travel, and how long do they stay a flock/covey?

I understand there are so many variables but, is there really eve any kinda general consensus?

Blues tend to covey up more/longer then roughs.

[Pathfinder101]

Terrible bird year down here in the Blues.  Took PathfinderJR up to Steven's county in October and he and his cousin did OK.  I think they killed 5 between the two of them, and missed a few as well.  Not too bad for two days of hunting in mostly crappy weather.

[Dave Workman]

That's a grand image, Pathfinder.