Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: Natas5150 on September 05, 2016, 10:40:50 AM
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So me and the wife have gone grouse hunting for the last 2 years with absolutly no luck. We have hunted the olympic unit and the skokomish units. We drive and walk logging roads all through the unit. We have yet to even spook a bird. My wife thinks im crazy and she jokes that the birds do not even exist. Are we not looking in the right areas? Is it not the right time of year? Im not looking for anyones honey hole just looking for some advice as to what im doing wrong.
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Definitely birds in the Olympic unit (probably lots in skok too). Are you hunting the more overgrown roads? Going early?
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I have been seeing most grouse the last hour of day light. Which is odd to me. This year.
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If you have not even seen a grouse then go somewhere else. Good grouse areas have birds in the road every day and night. Maybe try a quieter road system
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I seem to have the best luck within the first two hours of light if you're walking logging roads. After that you can find them sparingly in clearcuts and alpine type areas but you're gonna burn boot leather getting them that way
As someone else mentioned, pick the roads that are overgrown and get little traffic. Any road that is blocked from car traffic has a higher potential for grouse.
I was in the Olympic area last year doing archery deer. Me and a buddy seen 12 grouse that day. They are there.
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Keep going, look for "seldom" used roads or closed roads to walk. Usually morning after rain or during misting rain are great times as well. If noting else be sure to remind the Mrs. how lucky she is (and you are) to be spending quality time together :chuckle:. Good luck!
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Closed roads and roads just starting to grow up are best. There is no better time then when the weather clears up after a rain. They hold under cover during rain then come out in the open when it clears up.
I walked a bunch of roads today. First couple hours things were damp from dew and light mist. I saw zero birds.
Second couple hours the sun came out and things dried up. Then I jumped a single and two doubles. Don't ask how many I hit 😠.
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Blues like to sit in clearcuts with lots of salal and oregon grape. Look for them on stumps and high banks above the road. 3 of us and my lab hiked behind a gate yesterday and we saw over 20 birds and not a single one was in the road. Most we spotted one on a stump and 3-6 more would fly when the shooting starts. We glass the units for them even. We were able to take 11 of the 20 plus we saw. Driving the roads with the masses doesnt produce much like it used to. Good luck
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Hunt the food, not the bird. Find what they like to eat and you will find them.
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Thanks everyone for the replies. When I get back out I will try a few of what you all have recommended.
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find any yet? I saw three this evening along some of the same roads. Between 5 and 6 pm.
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Wet days are best, looks like Saturday will be a dandy chicken day
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Natas, what is the chance that your wife is right (you are crazy)? :tung:
Like most others, I see grouse all the time when I am not looking for them. Keep at it, you will find them.
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just after daylight breaks open they fly from roost and eat. then go to roads or other source to gravel. they do the same at dusk. but ive seen birds all times of the day. just keep beating the path and you find them. sounds like your on the right track though. . try new grounds. don't see them on the roads look in the new growth, creek bottoms. take a dog. walk 50 feet stop look. do that over and over. . grouse will see you and try to sneak off, kneel down and look under the undergrowth. . seen it a lot and the dog will flush it. . quick shots. good luck have fun! This is just my opinion. what ive learned and seen!
