Post by: legrange98 on November 27, 2012, 07:38:00 PM
Thanks!
Post by: ghosthunter on November 27, 2012, 07:39:15 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on November 27, 2012, 07:41:38 PM
took one with the .22 smith and wesson in october
first for that gun
Post by: legrange98 on November 27, 2012, 07:43:34 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on November 27, 2012, 07:45:41 PM
been seeing them along the river bottoms
I'm further south though
south cascades
Post by: legrange98 on November 28, 2012, 07:45:27 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on November 28, 2012, 08:01:26 AM
Post by: Kola16 on November 28, 2012, 08:08:58 AM
Post by: Stilly bay on November 28, 2012, 11:32:13 AM
Post by: fethrduster on November 28, 2012, 03:27:05 PM
SHHHHhhhh... don't tell anyone, but December is the best time to go. the foliage is off the trees and food sources are more isolated.
Sweet! I'm in. :tup:
Post by: legrange98 on November 28, 2012, 05:26:01 PM
Post by: Phantom Gobbler on November 28, 2012, 11:11:06 PM
Post by: ribka on December 06, 2012, 07:27:09 PM
Find them in stands of Aspen and poplar trees now
Post by: alecvg on December 06, 2012, 08:17:09 PM
Post by: Stilly bay on December 06, 2012, 09:46:49 PM
What are the best westside food sources this time of year?as far as ruffed grouse go-
since its been a mild winter look for any type of fruit or berry that may still be up. they will often stake out black berry patches and get the old berries if pickings are slim. apples are a prime target if you know where an old orchard is.
if you can't find any type of berries clover is usually a winner. no clover, look for alder or willow buds.
when its nice out grouse move and travel a bit through out the day. when its been rainy like this for days on end they tend to hole up and only hit food sources next to their roosting cover. they like to roost in heavy timber, thick older reprod, anything that will keep them dry, even slash piles if there is a good enough food source nearby.
Post by: alecvg on December 06, 2012, 11:48:43 PM
What are the best westside food sources this time of year?as far as ruffed grouse go-
since its been a mild winter look for any type of fruit or berry that may still be up. they will often stake out black berry patches and get the old berries if pickings are slim. apples are a prime target if you know where an old orchard is.
if you can't find any type of berries clover is usually a winner. no clover, look for alder or willow buds.
when its nice out grouse move and travel a bit through out the day. when its been rainy like this for days on end they tend to hole up and only hit food sources next to their roosting cover. they like to roost in heavy timber, thick older reprod, anything that will keep them dry, even slash piles if there is a good enough food source nearby.
Thanks for the response. I have really been wanting to get out as I missed out on all my September high country grouse hunting this year. I have been thinking about heading up into the high country to look for blues, but I definatly will look for some ruffed down lower as well.
Post by: pjb3 on December 07, 2012, 02:40:50 PM
Post by: Stilly bay on December 07, 2012, 02:49:04 PM
What are the best westside food sources this time of year?as far as ruffed grouse go-
since its been a mild winter look for any type of fruit or berry that may still be up. they will often stake out black berry patches and get the old berries if pickings are slim. apples are a prime target if you know where an old orchard is.
if you can't find any type of berries clover is usually a winner. no clover, look for alder or willow buds.
when its nice out grouse move and travel a bit through out the day. when its been rainy like this for days on end they tend to hole up and only hit food sources next to their roosting cover. they like to roost in heavy timber, thick older reprod, anything that will keep them dry, even slash piles if there is a good enough food source nearby.
Thanks for the response. I have really been wanting to get out as I missed out on all my September high country grouse hunting this year. I have been thinking about heading up into the high country to look for blues, but I definatly will look for some ruffed down lower as well.
IMO blues are a lot harder to hunt this time of year because they will be in the thick timber and reprod and they don't come out in the open unless we get a sunny day. since they live off pine needles at this time there is really no reason for them to leave their pine fortresses where its almost impossible to get a crack at them unless you have sharp eyes and a .22. your mileage may vary.
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on December 07, 2012, 02:58:01 PM
really no reason for them to leave their pine fortresses where its almost impossible to get a crack at them unless you have sharp eyes and a .22. your mileage may vary.
With most of the foliage dropped now, they are on high alert and will flush at the slightest movement. Their eye sight isn't as good as a Turkey, but you might think so this time of year. Later in the season, I agree with the 'scoped 22' instead of the shottie.
-Steve
Post by: bobcat on December 07, 2012, 03:05:54 PM
Post by: Stilly bay on December 07, 2012, 03:21:24 PM
They might be hard to find but if you do find them, there could be dozens all together. Many years ago when there was a general late season muzzleloader hunt in the Alta unit, my brother and I were up on Sawtooth Ridge in about a foot of snow. We came up under a couple of fir trees and the blue grouse began flying out of those trees. There must have been a hundred of them, or at least that's the way I remember it. Sure was wishing I had my 20 gauge in my hands then instead of the muzzleloader.
that must have been awesome to witness.
i haven't seen more than a dozen together over here on the west side.
Post by: singleshot12 on December 08, 2012, 10:43:25 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 08, 2012, 10:53:14 AM
Most of the west side ruffeds I've harvested in December and January have had their crops stuffed full of this particular ground cover(not sure the name) but it grows in very damp areas usually with buttercups10 -4 0n that :tup:
Post by: alecvg on December 08, 2012, 11:09:16 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 08, 2012, 11:36:03 AM
Hmmm... dont remember seeing that in any areas near me, but I will keep my eyes open!Walk some old grades that run threw the reprod ...should not be hard to find :tup:
Post by: singleshot12 on December 08, 2012, 11:38:18 AM
Post by: Forrestrover.02 on December 08, 2012, 07:43:23 PM
Post by: B-Nut on December 13, 2012, 01:15:30 PM
Post by: AspenBud on December 13, 2012, 04:21:24 PM
Post by: Stilly bay on December 13, 2012, 05:34:15 PM
The rules don't really change for grouse in December. Find the food and you'll find birds.
except we can actually see them flush in december rather than just hearing them in october... not that it matters to all the ground pounders out there who think the only thing grouse eat is gravel.
Post by: B-Nut on December 14, 2012, 03:47:45 PM