Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: heronblu on September 11, 2017, 11:44:46 AM

Title: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: heronblu on September 11, 2017, 11:44:46 AM: Has anyone noticed the numbers lower this year? After the hard winter we had in my area I'm thinking that maybe its a bust year. Curious to hear others observations.
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: fish vacuum on September 11, 2017, 11:54:50 AM: I was about to ask opinions on West side grouse numbers in general. I only saw one group of grouse all summer and zero in one day of hunting them so far in eastern Skagit county. Maybe the long dry spell has them acting different.
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: jamesfromseattle on September 11, 2017, 12:34:49 PM: Also got blanked in one day of hunting east Skagit, for whatever that is worth. Then I saw one sitting on the shoulder of a main road that seemed to know I didn't have a legal/safe shot and just stared me down. If she had a middle finger she probably would have used it to flip me off.
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: baker5150 on September 11, 2017, 12:49:44 PM: I've seen a couple here and there, but not the umbers I usually do.
Hadn't thought about it much until now, usually see quite a few in the road during August/Sept bear hunting.
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: fish vacuum on September 13, 2017, 05:45:55 PM: I saw 2 ruffs this morning in Skagit County. Both of them flushed way before I was in range.

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Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: heronblu on September 14, 2017, 08:28:28 PM: Quote from: fish vacuum on September 13, 2017, 05:45:55 PM
I saw 2 ruffs this morning in Skagit County. Both of them flushed way before I was in range.

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Hey, at least you're seeing them!
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: fish vacuum on September 20, 2017, 11:17:30 PM: I saw 5 this morning in Skagit County. Well, I jumped 5 but only actually saw 2 of them. Never fired a shot.

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Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: heronblu on September 24, 2017, 10:37:37 PM: I'm seeing them a bit more now. I still believe it was probably a rough year for them in my neck of the woods but its nice to see the survivors picking gravel. Now I just need to see a fat one that I can eat!
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: Buckewe on September 27, 2017, 03:49:39 PM: I haven't been seeing the numbers I did last year. I've hunted whatcom and skagit sides of Mt baker. Only killed one on the opening weekend and saw 3nice big blues on Sunday above 5k
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: aaronoto on September 29, 2017, 08:44:02 AM: Quote from: Buckewe on September 27, 2017, 03:49:39 PM
I haven't been seeing the numbers I did last year. I've hunted whatcom and skagit sides of Mt baker. Only killed one on the opening weekend and saw 3nice big blues on Sunday above 5k

The dog and I ran into 3 fat blues last weekend up high as well, seen 1 per trip when out hunting bear prior to that. Not sure if those are good numbers or not, as it's my first year actually trying to find them.
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: Gopackers on November 07, 2017, 10:45:26 AM: I've been out five times this year for grouse, and have managed to bag at least one per trip in Skagit County. One hunt I was blessed with seeing 9 Forrest Grouse (Ruffie's as we called them in WI), but 8 were extremely wary...haaah!
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: AspenBud on November 10, 2017, 08:26:40 AM: Pickings have been slim in my neck of the woods so far.
Title: Re: Whatcom county grouse
Post by: JakeLand on November 12, 2017, 08:53:53 PM: I've been jumping them and finally got 2 ruffs today and jumped a blue but no opportunity