Post by: Dave Workman on April 06, 2013, 01:40:18 PM
Post by: SLOhound on April 10, 2013, 08:34:46 PM
Post by: Turner89 on April 10, 2013, 08:46:55 PM
Post by: Bmcox86 on April 11, 2013, 07:38:12 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on May 07, 2013, 05:19:33 PM
I'm getting antsy already. Gotta go down make sure my .22 Ruger pistol and 10/22 rifle are both shooting true for limb shots. And I managed to find a couple of boxes of #6 in 20-gauge. Got plenty of 12-gauge. And I may have to round up another box of 3-inch .410 #6s
Got the fever, got the fever...grrrooouuuuussse Fever.
Post by: jackelope on May 07, 2013, 05:25:00 PM
Looking forward to trying to get after some grouse this year.
Post by: Tom Reichner on May 09, 2013, 06:35:12 PM
I came out to my cabin in Index this afternoon and could hear one thumping in the distance. Sept can't come soon enough!
I think they (ruffed) are comming back pretty good in my area. The most I've seen since the eighties.
Yeah, there do seem to be quite a few Ruffs around this year. I can't even count how many drumming logs I have found . . . I seem to be finding new ones without even trying. Any time I stop the car for a minute to take a leak, or to pour another cup of coffee from the thermos, I seem to hear a Ruff drummin' nearby. Here's a photo taken last week:
Post by: bobcat on May 09, 2013, 06:54:35 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on May 10, 2013, 08:00:28 AM
We just gotta hope this nice dry weather continues into the summer. If it stays like this the chicks will do well, and there will be a ton of grouse to hunt this fall, just like there was back in 2009.
Ahem...."if it stays like this the chicks will".... be out in driveways washing cars and down on the beach tanning and... oh, what's the difference? I'm too old to give a rip about anything but hunting grouse anymore...
Remember the old guy in "The Magnificent Seven?"
His best line: "About women, I became indifferent when I was 83..."
:chuckle: :rolleyes: :IBCOOL:
Post by: Atroxus on May 10, 2013, 08:08:11 AM
We just gotta hope this nice dry weather continues into the summer. If it stays like this the chicks will do well, and there will be a ton of grouse to hunt this fall, just like there was back in 2009.
Ahem...."if it stays like this the chicks will".... be out in driveways washing cars and down on the beach tanning and... oh, what's the difference? I'm too old to give a rip about anything but hunting grouse anymore...
Remember the old guy in "The Magnificent Seven?"
His best line: "About women, I became indifferent when I was 83..."
:chuckle: :rolleyes: :IBCOOL:
It started already...other day coming home from work I had to fight to keep my eyes on the road as one of the neighbor ladies was on her front lawn in a bikini. :tup:
Post by: Dave Workman on May 17, 2013, 10:53:28 AM
Nice to see the annual grouse fever thread, Dave.
Looking forward to trying to get after some grouse this year.
Yep, I'm a feather brain. Just ask any of my critics.
Post by: BiggLuke on May 24, 2013, 08:25:57 AM
:IBCOOL:
Post by: paulf919 on May 25, 2013, 07:33:44 AM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 05, 2013, 04:34:15 AM
This will be my first year hunting...pretty excited to be eating some grouse shortly. Anyone know of good spots in Leavenworth area?
Head north from Leavenworth up past the lake and up toward Maverick Saddle.
Post by: fethrduster on June 05, 2013, 03:47:59 PM
Post by: PNW_Hunter on June 05, 2013, 09:19:40 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 09, 2013, 03:11:23 PM
It's a 20-gauge delight, and the series discusses care and feeding, choke selection, why summer is the best time to buy a new smoothbore and more.
About 2 1/2 months to go until the oener. Yee Hawwwwwwwwwww!
Post by: Dave Workman on June 24, 2013, 05:57:05 PM
Enroute, we spotted one remarkably stupid blue grouse sitting on the road shoulder. The dummy flew up into a tree limb about 20 yards away. I could have whacked that sucker with my Ruger .22.
I can almost TASTE that Grouse Parmesan!
Post by: dmv9 on June 28, 2013, 10:30:00 AM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 30, 2013, 10:58:44 AM
Yeah, there do seem to be quite a few Ruffs around this year. I can't even count how many drumming logs I have found . . . I seem to be finding new ones without even trying. Any time I stop the car for a minute to take a leak, or to pour another cup of coffee from the thermos, I seem to hear a Ruff drummin' nearby. Here's a photo taken last week:
Tom:
This is one of the best images of a drumming grouse I've ever seen, and those who know what I do for a living understand that I've seen a lot of photos of grouse drumming. The composition is superb, great stop action and the image is crisp.
Now, no secrets here. What kind of camera...what lens and F-stop....what time of day...
These are the kinds of photos that magazines adore.
Good job. Nicely done.
Post by: ribka on June 30, 2013, 07:49:45 PM
Fun to watch
Post by: Dave Workman on July 07, 2013, 10:45:34 AM
I am kicking up grouse- blues, ruffs on every hike. have a blue grouse family hanging around my house.
Fun to watch
Actually, what you are doing is good mental conditioning. Get used to the sudden explosion of activity...then you will act calmly as you raise the gun and press the trigger....
And less than two months to go..
YEEEEE HAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWW !!!!!!!!
:tup: :IBCOOL: :tup:
Post by: paulf919 on July 07, 2013, 07:03:16 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on July 15, 2013, 08:30:17 AM
Getting excited!! My first time out hunting will be for grouse!
Good luck!
Read my two-part series in NORTHWEST SPORTSMAN on shotguns and grouse hunting preparation (July and August editions) to REALLY get your glands salivating.
Look, if you have a smoker, try smoking the breasts. It doesn't take long. Sprinkle on some seasoning salt. Smoked grouse is superb.
Post by: dmv9 on July 15, 2013, 09:50:14 AM
Post by: dmv9 on July 15, 2013, 09:50:37 AM
I am kicking up grouse- blues, ruffs on every hike. have a blue grouse family hanging around my house.
Fun to watch
Where are you hiking?
Post by: HoofsandWings on July 15, 2013, 04:36:50 PM
What is your opinion of the east slopes of the cascades?
I will probably head for the Olympics for the opener.
I have some of your maps. I have to dig them out.
I presume the areas you described are still valid?
I am not going to that place on the way to Twisp. Too many rattlers.
That Cle Elum location is still a mystery to me. They built so many new roads that I can not figure out which one
is the one I need to take.
The one over by Chinook Pass is a possibility.
What elevation is best for the opener?
Post by: Dave Workman on July 16, 2013, 05:48:50 PM
Dave,
What is your opinion of the east slopes of the cascades?
I will probably head for the Olympics for the opener.
I have some of your maps. I have to dig them out.
I presume the areas you described are still valid?
I am not going to that place on the way to Twisp. Too many rattlers.
That Cle Elum location is still a mystery to me. They built so many new roads that I can not figure out which one
is the one I need to take.
The one over by Chinook Pass is a possibility.
What elevation is best for the opener?
Holy craop...where to start?
1) My opinion of the east slopes of the Cascades is that they get steeper every successive fall. I, of course, am still the man I was at 25. :chuckle:
It is on the east slopes where I kill the bulk of my grouse these days. High in the mountains, where the blue grouse roam.
2) Good, You head for the Olympics. More grouse for me on the east slopes and less competition from someone who probably shoots better :chuckle:!!!
3) You have some of my maps? Damn...I thought I burned all of those. :bash:
4) NO..don't go to any of the areas I mapped!! Stay away!!! There's nothing there for you to see. Move along....(Mine.. alllll mine.....woooohhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!) :chuckle: ;) :chuckle:
5) Cle Elum? Never heard of it....(see above #4)
6) Chinook Pass? Where'zat?
7) Elevation? Well, if you can stand upright on the opener....that's the best elevation...
But seriously folks....if you're looking for blues...get up on the ridge tops, check those high country berry fields and be prepared for a lot of fat, stupid, berry-filled grouse. Anywhere up on Teanaway Ridge, Red Top, up the Little Naches, up by Raven Roost, down in Lewis County up the Cispus and Johnson Creek...Hamilton Butte
We had a decent spring with the dry weather at just the right time for decent hatches. I look for a productive season for those who work the old log roads and use patience.
Post by: HoofsandWings on July 16, 2013, 09:58:23 PM
Post by: Ruger on July 17, 2013, 06:22:30 AM
Post by: Dave Workman on July 18, 2013, 04:54:37 AM
Looking for some areas to go for ruffed grouse north of Spokane... I know nobody wants to yell out their areas in group chat, but if anybody would be willing to discuss in a pvt message would be great. I should be getting my dog back about that time ready to go...
That's a pretty easy one to answer.
Get a national forest map...Colville national forest. Work along virtually any river or creek drainage and you will find ruffed grouse that 90 percent of the people never see because they don't get too far off the roads. YOU get off the roads, hike back into these places, look for tight cover..alders, maples, hemlock, spruce....that's where you will find the grouse.
Unless I get there first HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! :IBCOOL: :chuckle:
Post by: dmv9 on July 18, 2013, 07:34:28 AM
Post by: Dave Workman on July 29, 2013, 11:49:50 AM
Is there anything along the Snoqualmie pass? I'm looking for something along the I-90 corridor.
I'd get east of the pass, head up toward Stampede or hunt south of Easton and Cle Elum.
There's really not much along the pass west of the summit.
Post by: HoofsandWings on July 29, 2013, 03:32:38 PM
I went by one of your spots along 410. Now you need a permit.
Post by: Dave Workman on July 29, 2013, 04:24:53 PM
Hi Dave,
I went by one of your spots along 410. Now you need a permit.
Now that sucks. Permit? For where along 410???
I've always endeavored to zero in on public lands so my readers wouldn't be stuck.
Maybe this is just recent from a land swap or something, eh?
Post by: Wacenturion on July 30, 2013, 11:22:05 AM
Hi Dave,
I went by one of your spots along 410. Now you need a permit.
Now that sucks. Permit? For where along 410???
I've always endeavored to zero in on public lands so my readers wouldn't be stuck.
Maybe this is just recent from a land swap or something, eh?
I heard rumors it was a test site in preperation for Grouse Resource Allocation.... :chuckle:
Post by: Dave Workman on July 31, 2013, 05:28:14 PM
:bdid:Hi Dave,
I went by one of your spots along 410. Now you need a permit.
Now that sucks. Permit? For where along 410???
I've always endeavored to zero in on public lands so my readers wouldn't be stuck.
Maybe this is just recent from a land swap or something, eh?
I heard rumors it was a test site in preperation for Grouse Resource Allocation.... :chuckle:
Oh now that is bad....BAAAAAAAADDDDD!!!!!!!
Now be quiet else they'll actually take that as a genuine suggestion in Oly and we're all screwed.....
Post by: Wacenturion on July 31, 2013, 06:51:05 PM
Post by: paulf919 on August 03, 2013, 07:17:46 PM
Post by: HoofsandWings on August 03, 2013, 08:37:14 PM
Post by: dmv9 on August 05, 2013, 12:43:07 PM
Or if I subscribe, can I get to the past issues electronically?
Getting excited!! My first time out hunting will be for grouse!
Good luck!
Read my two-part series in NORTHWEST SPORTSMAN on shotguns and grouse hunting preparation (July and August editions) to REALLY get your glands salivating.
Look, if you have a smoker, try smoking the breasts. It doesn't take long. Sprinkle on some seasoning salt. Smoked grouse is superb.
Post by: Dave Workman on August 10, 2013, 08:41:31 AM
Do you have a link?
Or if I subscribe, can I get to the past issues electronically?
By all means subscribe. And tell 'em I sent you!
And you should be able to get the July and August issues sent to you when you subscribe.
Post by: Dave Workman on August 12, 2013, 01:32:46 PM
19 days and counting....
Post by: dmv9 on August 12, 2013, 01:34:21 PM
Do you have a link?
Or if I subscribe, can I get to the past issues electronically?
By all means subscribe. And tell 'em I sent you!
And you should be able to get the July and August issues sent to you when you subscribe.
Post by: Dave Workman on August 13, 2013, 03:48:10 AM
I subscribed, still waiting for access :)
I don't run the place, I just write a column for them.
:chuckle:
Post by: dmv9 on August 13, 2013, 09:00:57 PM
I subscribed, still waiting for access :)
I don't run the place, I just write a column for them.
:chuckle:
Post by: Dave Workman on August 21, 2013, 10:08:38 AM
Ten days and counting..
LOOKOUT GROUSE,,,, HERE COMES LAW AND ORDER!
:yike:
:hello:
Post by: snowpack on August 21, 2013, 10:11:26 AM
Post by: paulf919 on August 22, 2013, 08:18:19 PM
tck tock tick tock tick tock....
Ten days and counting..
LOOKOUT GROUSE,,,, HERE COMES LAW AND ORDER!
:yike:
:hello:
IT'S ON!! Well in 9 days at least.
Sent from my carrier pigeon using Tapatalk
Post by: Dave Workman on August 25, 2013, 07:45:01 AM
Counting shotgun shells
Counting my chickens before they're hatched
Counting on fair weather, cool mornings, and birds in the bag.
:IBCOOL: :hello: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:
Post by: Kain on August 25, 2013, 08:35:04 AM
Road chickens
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1239187_10200382110016177_1330194959_o.jpg)
Post by: paulf919 on August 25, 2013, 12:16:58 PM
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Post by: Whitpirate on August 25, 2013, 12:47:04 PM
Post by: Bmcox86 on August 25, 2013, 04:42:43 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on August 26, 2013, 08:16:13 AM
Here's another:
Post by: MtnMuley on August 26, 2013, 08:18:08 AM
Post by: paulf919 on August 26, 2013, 10:24:56 PM
Great photos, guys.Yessssssss!! Cannot wait already! 4 more days of work for me...then it's on!! Well it's been on for a few months...
Here's another:
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Post by: Dave Workman on August 30, 2013, 09:46:36 AM
:tup: :tup: :tup: :guns: :hunter: :mgun: :whoo:
Post by: paulf919 on August 30, 2013, 09:51:50 AM
YEEEEEEE HAAAAWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!
:tup: :tup: :tup: :guns: :hunter: :mgun: :whoo:
Amen!
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