Post by: Flyfishin22 on September 04, 2016, 09:28:27 PM
Post by: DaveMonti on September 04, 2016, 09:32:58 PM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on September 04, 2016, 09:36:14 PM
Post by: Flyfishin22 on September 04, 2016, 09:36:50 PM
Post by: Flyfishin22 on September 04, 2016, 09:37:29 PM
I see a lot of blues and ruffed grouse along the roads in clearcuts down lower than the pass, especially where the roads enter into the woods and near water. I have no idea how many are up high, but there are plenty down low on the West side!
Post by: ghosthunter on September 04, 2016, 09:44:24 PM
Near water source.
And I am been seeing most the last hour of light which surprises me.
Post by: DaveMonti on September 04, 2016, 09:45:23 PM
I've not hunted them in timbered areas. I'm sure they are around there, and I'd guess closer to creeks. Perhaps some others will be able to point you where to go on some public land off of I90.
Post by: Flyfishin22 on September 04, 2016, 09:49:32 PM
The grouse I have been seeing. Are about 2500 to 3000 ft.Are you on the wetside?
Near water source.
And I am been seeing most the last hour of light which surprises me.
Post by: Flyfishin22 on September 04, 2016, 09:50:56 PM
I'm actually in the Skykomish valley, not the Snoqualmie. I'm not sure were you can hunt clear cuts in the Snoqualmie Valley without a timber company permit.Oh okay gotcha. Thanks for the reply
I've not hunted them in timbered areas. I'm sure they are around there, and I'd guess closer to creeks. Perhaps some others will be able to point you where to go on some public land off of I90.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 04, 2016, 10:08:37 PM
Post by: Big game archer on September 04, 2016, 10:10:57 PM
Post by: Flyfishin22 on September 04, 2016, 10:14:05 PM
I think the timing is kind of key, vast majority I see are really early in the morning. Then they start to go to shade and water as the day warms up. When it is cool and cloudy I'll see them all day, or if cold and cloudy or clear all day too.How early in the morning would you start hunting for grouse?
Post by: Flyfishin22 on September 04, 2016, 10:18:01 PM
Find creek bottoms with snowberries, service berries, choke cherries, etc. Also, Aspen and alder trees are good to look for. The key right now in my areas is finding water.So would you just drive logging roads until you get to a stream with berries on the bank, then poke around by the stream?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 04, 2016, 10:31:56 PM
as early as possible, legal shooting time. They're hungry in the morning wanting the get food and water after not moving all night.I think the timing is kind of key, vast majority I see are really early in the morning. Then they start to go to shade and water as the day warms up. When it is cool and cloudy I'll see them all day, or if cold and cloudy or clear all day too.How early in the morning would you start hunting for grouse?
Post by: Flyfishin22 on September 04, 2016, 10:34:32 PM
Post by: Tiger1358 on October 17, 2016, 04:55:47 PM
Great, thanks for the adviceYou might have better luck hunting grouse off Hwy 2 than off I 90, especially if you don't wanna drive far. During off season, I go hiking very often and have not seen many grouse off I 90.
Post by: Nemo on October 17, 2016, 07:01:29 PM
Are you using a dog? Grouse flush very readily for dogs which in some ways can actually make it harder because you may not be in range. On the other hand, the dogs will find or flush birds that you will walk right past. They rely on being inconspicuous and when they're roosting they're invisible and silent. A quiet, close working dog with a sharp nose will make your jaw drop with the birds he finds right in front of you.
I actually have shot a fair amount lately just before dark. They haven't been as specific to dawn as some other birds. They do tend to like these twilight times much more than midday, but again a dog will help you find lazy ones.
Let me know if you need some more help. I might have some better suggestions.
Post by: dmv9 on October 18, 2016, 09:17:38 AM
Post by: heronblu on October 18, 2016, 09:36:00 AM
Post by: seth30 on October 18, 2016, 09:38:20 AM
Post by: Nemo on October 18, 2016, 03:15:55 PM
I Don't let anyone fool you into thinking that hunting grouse is easy. Dont get me wrong, you will come across the odd situation where a grouse is in the middle of the trail and you could almost pick it up, but in my experience those are rare especially the later in the season you get. If you aren't hunting with a dog its all about walking slow and when/if you flush one try and see exactly where it goes so you can sneak up and get a shot. K
+1. My understanding is that early season the birds are still interested in mating displays and full of hormones, making them approach anything, even humans, in an attempt to face off and defend their turf. You can see this in videos all over the internet where they're called either crazy, stupid or playful, but like most things that wild native animals do there's a good explanation for it. This late in the season, however, they're done with all that, the foliage that makes up their cover has thinned dramatically, and they've been getting shot at and walk over for a couple months. I haven't seen so much as a pair since a couple weeks ago. They tend to hold tight around people because they rely on being inconspicuous, which works anywhere except on a road. Like I said, it's amazing when you see a group of birds hiding right under your nose suddenly flush when a dog runs by- my experience has been that they do NOT hold tight for dogs most times. Because of this behavior shooting them off a road or out of a tree is sometimes easy but shooting them on the wing, or just finding them to begin with, can be real tough.