Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: The Big Game Hunter on November 08, 2013, 12:28:55 PM

Title: Blue Grouse Hunt
Post by: The Big Game Hunter on November 08, 2013, 12:28:55 PM: Last weekend, I went on my first ever grouse hunt with Okanogan Highlands Outfitters in Northern Washington. My friend Matt went with me and we both had an awesome time. We quickly learned how physically demanding grouse hunting in the mountains is, but that just makes the fruits of the hunt taste that much better. The outfitter took great care of us and we saw a good amount of grouse, plus lots of Mule and White Tailed Deer and other wildlife. The scenery there was absolutely beautiful. It is always nice to get out in the woods to hunt, but last weekend was a particularly great experience.

If you're interested, you can read my detailed write up of the hunt here: http://www.thebiggamehuntingblog.com/2013/11/blue-grouse-hunt.html (http://www.thebiggamehuntingblog.com/2013/11/blue-grouse-hunt.html)
Title: Re: Blue Grouse Hunt
Post by: jrebel on November 08, 2013, 12:51:40 PM: Looks like a nice couple ruffs...did you see any blues??
Title: Re: Blue Grouse Hunt
Post by: Forrestrover.02 on November 08, 2013, 01:10:22 PM: Great scenery! I'll have to make it out that direction someday.
Title: Re: Blue Grouse Hunt
Post by: bracer40 on November 08, 2013, 01:46:05 PM: Just read your blog. Looks like a good time. From the pics and story (not to mention the bird count), it looks as though you were on a hunt with no dogs? Shame, because that country's thick with birds. Used to get limits of Ruffed Grouse during early season, then more scattered results wiht the Blue Grouse higher up.
Regardless, that is great country to spend time in.

Thanks for sharing. And for your service.
Title: Re: Blue Grouse Hunt
Post by: The Big Game Hunter on November 08, 2013, 04:30:33 PM: Quote from: bracer40 on November 08, 2013, 01:46:05 PM
Just read your blog. Looks like a good time. From the pics and story (not to mention the bird count), it looks as though you were on a hunt with no dogs? Shame, because that country's thick with birds. Used to get limits of Ruffed Grouse during early season, then more scattered results wiht the Blue Grouse higher up.
Regardless, that is great country to spend time in.

Thanks for sharing. And for your service.

Yes, we were hunting without dogs. I agree that if we would have had a good bird dog, we would have seen more. We very likely walked right past dozens that we did not see or flush. Even so, we still saw plenty (I didn't post all my photos), especially on the second day of hunting. I'm not ashamed to say that I missed many more than I hit...
Title: Re: Blue Grouse Hunt
Post by: bracer40 on November 08, 2013, 06:51:27 PM: Shame has no place in grouse hunting. I grew up hunting them in N. Michigan and the typical bird gave you maybe a second or two/three to make the shot. Had to be quick! And because we hunted w/out dogs, we were nearly always suprised when we flushed them!
Title: Re: Blue Grouse Hunt
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 08, 2013, 06:56:30 PM: Congrats sure is a dark Blue Grouse looks more like ruffed but good job
Title: Re: Blue Grouse Hunt
Post by: Bullkllr on November 09, 2013, 11:51:15 AM: Interesting. Never heard of a guided grouse hunt. Definitely ruffed grouse in the pics.