Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: HunterofWA on March 27, 2017, 11:07:38 AM

Title: How to hunt grouse
Post by: HunterofWA on March 27, 2017, 11:07:38 AM: So I have hunted them before but I would like to know what areas they tend to hang out in. I would like to now what type of cover they prefer and just any random tips you guys may have!

Thanks,
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: Special T on March 27, 2017, 11:27:54 AM: Depends where your hunting. Westside is like this for me
Early season around berry patches. Salmon, huckleberry black berry thimble berry and the surrounding edges. Later in the year alder patches and you will find them eating the new growth on fir trees.
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: Tinmaniac on March 27, 2017, 11:32:01 AM: Grouse like to come out to the roads after it rains.They fill their gizzard with fine stones to grind their food.
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: HunterofWA on March 27, 2017, 11:45:27 AM: Ok, thanks guys! Is there any particular time of day they are most active?
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: Alchase on March 27, 2017, 12:01:06 PM: I seem to come across more coveys in the morning and more on the ground throughout the day and especially near sunset.
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: JimmyHoffa on March 27, 2017, 12:03:11 PM: Quote from: HunterofWA on March 27, 2017, 11:45:27 AM
Ok, thanks guys! Is there any particular time of day they are most active?
Mornings because they roost all night. Then if it is hot/dry they'll hole up in the shade or by water for mid-day then grabbing a bite before sunset and bed time.
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 27, 2017, 12:23:25 PM: What kind of grouse are you looking to hunt? i.e. Natives, blue?
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: hunter_sean08 on March 27, 2017, 12:45:17 PM: Grouse hunting has always just been an excuse for me to get out and hit the dirt roads. Some days they're non-existent, some days they're literally everywhere. It's a funny phenomenon. With that said, in my experience they love the dirt roads in the early morning/dusk hours, especially some of the older roads that don't get as much use as the mainlines. The hunting doesn't usually get good until the first rain in September (if that happens). Ruffed grouse tend to be confined to the lower elevations, while the blues are typically found in the higher elevations (although I did have a bizarre instance in the coastal lowlands once where there was a blue grouse around every corner for a two mile stretch). Sometimes you'll come around a corner to a whole flock of them. They are funny birds, but good eating regardless.

Just wait until you're walking in the woods looking for deer or elk and you happen to flush a grouse before you even see him. I've about jumped out of my boots hundreds of times and yet it still happens nearly every single time... :chuckle:
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: HunterofWA on March 27, 2017, 02:45:00 PM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on March 27, 2017, 12:23:25 PM
What kind of grouse are you looking to hunt? i.e. Natives, blue?

Ruffed grouse is what I'm after. Thanks for all the pointers guys! I think it'll be fun this upcoming season, hopefully I can find some good spots. My family is planning on getting 2 golden retrievers in late summer so it would be fun to take them out with me sometime for the experience.
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: HunterofWA on March 28, 2017, 11:22:08 AM: One more thing, could someone explain the limit on grouse? I am going to be hunting in the Washougal unit so I assume there are just Ruffed grouse there but I don't understand WDFW's laws on how many you can shoot. They say 4/day but the possession limit is 12??? Could someone please explain?
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: chester on March 28, 2017, 11:39:51 AM: Kill 4 a day, can have up to twelve in the fridge at home
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: HunterofWA on March 28, 2017, 12:44:46 PM: Does that mean I can kill 4 ruffed, or I would need to have a mixed bag in order to limit?
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: hunter_sean08 on March 29, 2017, 08:15:40 AM: Excerpt from the regs - "4 a day to include not more than 3 blue grouse, 3 spruce grouse, and 3 ruffed grouse"
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: HunterofWA on March 29, 2017, 08:25:24 AM: OK got it, I wasn't completely sure.
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: hunter399 on March 29, 2017, 08:36:29 AM: You road hunt em , when your bear hunting man.
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: hunter399 on March 29, 2017, 08:38:21 AM: Trump says so .
Title: Re: How to hunt grouse
Post by: joe_dumy on March 31, 2017, 06:31:26 AM: Old closed roads following a creek bottom. Clear cuts, reprod, swamps, cedars. You will need to hunt a Variety of covers. You will need to put some miles on and go at different times of year. Then once you think you got it all figured out the Grouse disappear. Its a fun pursuit especially with a dog. And a good day is a flush a great day is a shot and if you get lucky enough a bird in hand is a trophy.