Author Topic: Winter grouse hunting (Read 11236 times)

Glockster · « **on:** December 12, 2011, 10:44:46 AM »

Anyone ever hunt grouse in December? I'm always into ducks that time of year, but it's open until 12/31.

JimmyHoffa · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2011, 11:15:29 AM »

I have in the past. When there are fewer leaves on trees they can see you better so your shot might be a little longer. Also, there is usually a better chance of rain to cover your sound. I'm thinking of going soon, for some reason I'm seeing a lot more this year than in years past.

Glockster · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2011, 11:42:58 AM »

Longer shots....good point! I'm thinking to head to the eastside so won't have to deal with the rain...only snow.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2011, 12:18:43 PM »

I used to go all the time when I had my shorthair ....its fun ...just find alder thickets ....plus the leaves are off now so you can actually see them to throw some lead at them

Wapiti7 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2011, 12:44:44 PM »

I have also seen way more grouse this year than in the past and a good portion of that has been just over the past two weeks during late muzzie. Good luck to you!

Glockster · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2011, 02:05:27 PM »

I would love to hunt grouse with a real grouse dog some day. Maybe snow might make it easier until then.

Stilly bay · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2011, 05:09:07 PM »

I just did some winter grousing this morning, I heard more flushes than I saw. I should have brought some Spred-R loads with me, since the only bird I shot was Mid-air-mince-meat. my lab pup who is always a good sport brought me the bird, but he didn't look too thrilled about it

I think that the west side has the east beat for once, I would much rather chase grouse over here at this time of the season.

JackOfAllTrades · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2011, 05:17:32 PM »

Grouse are very skidish once the leaves and natural cover they hide in has fallen or blown away. A scoped rimfire rifle, binoculars with you on the trail will bring best chances of success.

-Steve

MikeWalking · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2011, 05:19:08 PM »

The Boss seems to keep finding ways to F'up my time off but I want to get out before the end of the month. Haven't had a real day off in a couple weeks, wondering what the snow line is on the West side...

BB · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2011, 08:51:23 PM »

Do grouse usually stay/move below the snow line?

bobcat · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2011, 08:58:01 PM »

Blue grouse are odd, probably the only bird or animal for that matter that migrates up in elevation for winter. I remember many years ago when there used to be a late muzzleloader season in the Alta unit, we were hiking in the snow on Sawtooth Ridge, and flushed about 100 blue grouse that were sitting in just a couple of trees. I was sure wishing for a shotgun at that moment instead of the muzzleloader.

Ruffed grouse I'm not sure but I think they stay below the snow.

JackOfAllTrades · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:51:49 PM »

I've seen Ruffed 'around' the snow line. Seldem above it. But Blues.. Yeah, well above.

Years ago a few of us hiked up Bear hunting and got some 18" of snow on us that night. Next morning saw the biggest fluffy Blues we'd ever seen but didn't take a shot. (stupid!)

Other times, I've seen Blues when snow shoeing.

-Steve

Wapiti7 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2011, 08:22:57 AM »

I live in Western WA and am in the woods pretty much year round. I don't think I can ever recall seeing a ruffed grouse above the snowline over the years. This website is kind of neat, so I thought I would share it: http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/ruffed_grouse

Recurve-Elk · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2011, 07:07:32 PM »

I was hunting them up through November. Saw a bunch and managed to get one. Listen for their drumming.

Glockster · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2011, 10:00:33 AM »

I did't know they drum in the winter. Kewl!

Stilly bay · « **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2011, 07:46:13 PM »

Quote from: Glockster on December 19, 2011, 10:00:33 AM

I did't know they drum in the winter. Kewl!

I hunted some thick reprod one winter about five years ago that was loaded with grouse and they were all in a drumming rampage. there had to be five at the very least, maybe as many as a dozen or more in there. as soon as one would stop another would answer. THudiddididdiddddddddd THudididididdddddddd thudiddddddddddddd- and it all went on for a good 20 minutes. if I didn't know what a grouse drum sounded like I would of thought that I was having some kind of heart or inner ear problem.

seems like the only reason I buy turkey tag anymore is to scout grouse spots and listen to drumming.

GoPlayOutside · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2011, 09:07:43 PM »

Glockster · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2011, 09:02:14 AM »

Nice winter grouse!! iS that a spruce grouse??

Heartsblood · « **Reply #18 on:** December 20, 2011, 09:11:58 AM »

Quote from: Glockster on December 19, 2011, 10:00:33 AM

I did't know they drum in the winter. Kewl!

I discovered that they drum post spring this past November . Obviously it's a great advantage to be able to find 'em when they're noisy...

Phantom Gobbler · « **Reply #19 on:** December 20, 2011, 04:17:55 PM »

Late season Ruff from NE WA. Bry picked up another one that day to make it a brace. They were sitting really tight in the small conifers.

ing · « **Reply #20 on:** December 22, 2011, 10:20:42 AM »

Here is a big blue that I shot in Nov. well above the snow line.

Heartsblood · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2011, 12:43:29 PM »

Great set of pictures fellas!

Kain · « **Reply #22 on:** December 24, 2011, 03:08:54 PM »

Man the grouse were loving the sun today. I spooked 5 of them in about a 1 mile stretch of road. Had the bow and never had a shot opportunity but it was nice seeing some.

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Author Topic: Winter grouse hunting (Read 11236 times)

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