Post by: Dave Workman on August 29, 2022, 08:57:41 AM
Question: Who hunts grouse in December, much less the first half of January?
https://wdfw.medium.com/start-of-forest-grouse-season-delayed-this-year-bf994692e3eb
Forest grouse season dates adjusted starting in 2021
Change aims to decrease hen harvest, boost hunting opportunity
https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonFishWildlife/posts/pfbid0BtnaJSqAhYHHGYw5Xt2SKqhWVqvfZZZUYbomAmgkU9aYN1274En1jReyRbaEytXNl
Post by: mcrawfordaf on August 29, 2022, 09:35:02 AM
Post by: Special T on August 29, 2022, 10:27:05 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on August 29, 2022, 10:32:56 AM
Post by: Platensek-po on August 29, 2022, 10:53:58 AM
Post by: HighGrouseHunt on August 29, 2022, 10:56:01 AM
Post by: MtnMuley on August 29, 2022, 07:00:52 PM
Post by: sagerat on August 29, 2022, 07:17:43 PM
Of the many guys I've talked to about this stupid season change, none hunt grouse in December or January including myself. Everybody also agrees that if taking the limit back to 3 to get the Sept 1 season opener back, then they're all fine with that.
:yeah: Sure would like that opener back
Post by: BLDtraLR on August 29, 2022, 07:53:46 PM
Likewise I'd even be happy with a 2 bird limit I will be throwing rocks at them again this year. Sure hope it goes back miss my brown sugar bacon grouse dinners :bash: :bash: >:( >:( Maybe an archery only hunt Sept 1-15 We will get the family groups broke up lol :hello:Of the many guys I've talked to about this stupid season change, none hunt grouse in December or January including myself. Everybody also agrees that if taking the limit back to 3 to get the Sept 1 season opener back, then they're all fine with that.
:yeah: Sure would like that opener back
Post by: Dave Workman on August 30, 2022, 03:38:01 AM
:bdid:
Likewise I'd even be happy with a 2 bird limit I will be throwing rocks at them again this year. Sure hope it goes back miss my brown sugar bacon grouse dinners :bash: :bash: >:( >:( Maybe an archery only hunt Sept 1-15 We will get the family groups broke up lol :hello:
Whoa, waitaminute. Never, ever signal the WDFW you'd be willing to accept a reduced bag limit on anything. ;) :chuckle:
Someone will try taking you up on that.
You can always limit yourself. That's a personal choice. But always keep in perspective what appears to have become a motto in Olympia, no matter what the issue: "LESS is the new MORE."
Post by: C-Money on August 30, 2022, 06:19:33 AM
Post by: Iveexcaped3 on August 30, 2022, 06:32:47 AM
Post by: packmule on August 30, 2022, 06:57:42 AM
Interesting read.
Question: Who hunts grouse in December, much less the first half of January?
https://wdfw.medium.com/start-of-forest-grouse-season-delayed-this-year-bf994692e3eb
Forest grouse season dates adjusted starting in 2021
Change aims to decrease hen harvest, boost hunting opportunity
https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonFishWildlife/posts/pfbid0BtnaJSqAhYHHGYw5Xt2SKqhWVqvfZZZUYbomAmgkU9aYN1274En1jReyRbaEytXNl
I'm far from a WDFW supporter and consider many of the decisions they make to be mis-management. But give credit where credit is due. They are using science to set season dates to hopefully improve populations of a species that many people enjoy hunting in this state. I also understand that moving the start of the season back a couple weeks reduces opportunities for archery hunters and young hunters, which kind of sucks. But the season is 4 months long. Other states who are serious about grouse hunting have relatively short seasons (1-2 months) that begin in October. Results from studies conducted in those states have also shown that grouse harvest that occurs after early December disproportionately harvests birds that would otherwise survive until the next year (and thus be available to reproduce). I'm sure that WDFW biologists are aware of that and still are allowing Washington hunters to pursue grouse in mid-January.
Post by: BLDtraLR on August 30, 2022, 09:09:45 AM
We saw one ruff on a ride in the Colockum on Sunday. Sept 1st was a day my family looked forward to a lot. Grouse hunt in the morning, and hit the dove field in the afternoon. Wish they did not change grouse season opener from Sept 1st. It was a pretty big deal to my family. Where I hunt grouse, its really hard to access after the snow flies. So, adding the 15 days on in Jan does us no good.:yeah: It was a pretty BIG deal to alot of family's but the WDFW doesn't give a poop about family traditions :bash: And yes sorry dave i really wouldn't want a reduced bag limit but if that's what it took to get the sept 1st opener back than so be it. i rather be able to hunt my archery opener than not at all. But we all know that isn't happening. Sorry to rant about this but it really chaps my hide on something that where i've hunted for 45+ years hasn't had any impact by moving the date back. The last 2-3 years before the change were banner years for grouse they were everywhere and not in family groups 1 or 2 maybe 3 in a group. I will report my findings in 2 day's :hello: :chuckle:
Post by: BLDtraLR on August 30, 2022, 09:17:10 AM
In the first public input survey, 62 percent of respondents supported closures in early September, and shifting the opening day to Sept. 15 was the most-favored alternative.
Post by: Bullkllr on August 30, 2022, 09:26:00 AM
And i call BS on this :bash: From the WDFW website
In the first public input survey, 62 percent of respondents supported closures in early September, and shifting the opening day to Sept. 15 was the most-favored alternative.
It all has to do with how they worded the survey. They can then make the results say anything they want.
"Would you rather have Sept. 15 opener or no grouse season? See- 100% favor delaying the season."
I really don't think they have any real idea, except going to a later open (after Labor Day!) will likely reduce overall harvest.
FWIW, I usually can't bring myself to shoot grouse in mid-winter. They look like they're in "hunker down and survive mode" by then.
Post by: sagerat on August 30, 2022, 07:59:47 PM
Interesting read.
Question: Who hunts grouse in December, much less the first half of January?
https://wdfw.medium.com/start-of-forest-grouse-season-delayed-this-year-bf994692e3eb
Forest grouse season dates adjusted starting in 2021
Change aims to decrease hen harvest, boost hunting opportunity
https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonFishWildlife/posts/pfbid0BtnaJSqAhYHHGYw5Xt2SKqhWVqvfZZZUYbomAmgkU9aYN1274En1jReyRbaEytXNl
I'm far from a WDFW supporter and consider many of the decisions they make to be mis-management. But give credit where credit is due. They are using science to set season dates to hopefully improve populations of a species that many people enjoy hunting in this state. I also understand that moving the start of the season back a couple weeks reduces opportunities for archery hunters and young hunters, which kind of sucks. But the season is 4 months long. Other states who are serious about grouse hunting have relatively short seasons (1-2 months) that begin in October. Results from studies conducted in those states have also shown that grouse harvest that occurs after early December disproportionately harvests birds that would otherwise survive until the next year (and thus be available to reproduce). I'm sure that WDFW biologists are aware of that and still are allowing Washington hunters to pursue grouse in mid-January.
Which states are you referring to? I’ve looked at every state west of the Mississippi with stable grouse populations and they all still open September 1 or earlier with the exception of California which is no surprise. They robbed us of quality time hunting them in early September to justify their research. Totally unnecessary.
Post by: Dave Workman on August 31, 2022, 03:42:43 AM
Which states are you referring to? I’ve looked at every state west of the Mississippi with stable grouse populations and they all still open September 1 or earlier with the exception of California which is no surprise. They robbed us of quality time hunting them in early September to justify their research. Totally unnecessary.
As I said earlier: The new motto in Olympia is "LESS is the new MORE"
WA Fish & Wildlife in 2nd Year of Grouse Hunt Change to Help Hen Survival
By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Washington State wildlife managers are heading into the second year of a season change designed to improve survival of hens, with the explanation that the effort “is to help hunters by boosting forest grouse populations.”
www.thegunmag.com/wa-in-2nd-year-of-grouse-hunt-change-to-help-hen-survival/
Post by: BLDtraLR on September 08, 2022, 09:39:23 PM
Post by: Viking360 on September 09, 2022, 07:03:53 AM
Post by: mcrawfordaf on September 09, 2022, 07:11:37 AM
It was my understanding that this was introduced for the archery hunters, makes sense to me. Who wants more trucks driving the roads shooting when you are trying to stalk Elk/Deer.
:yeah:
For the archery folk that are upset they lose out on opportunistic harvest; how upset would ya'll be if my dog comes busting up your stalk or stand for a covey of ruffed? :dunno: just a thought.
Post by: Cougartail on September 09, 2022, 07:13:31 AM
And i call BS on this :bash: From the WDFW website
In the first public input survey, 62 percent of respondents supported closures in early September, and shifting the opening day to Sept. 15 was the most-favored alternative.
Liberals love pulling numbers out of thin air. I believe nothing they say.
Post by: sagerat on September 09, 2022, 08:01:19 AM
It was my understanding that this was introduced for the archery hunters, makes sense to me. Who wants more trucks driving the roads shooting when you are trying to stalk Elk/Deer.
:yeah:
For the archery folk that are upset they lose out on opportunistic harvest; how upset would ya'll be if my dog comes busting up your stalk or stand for a covey of ruffed? :dunno: just a thought.
Really? You can’t have a good archery hunt because there’s a few guys grouse hunting? Try getting away from the road a little more.
Post by: BLDtraLR on September 09, 2022, 08:48:57 AM
It was my understanding that this was introduced for the archery hunters, makes sense to me. Who wants more trucks driving the roads shooting when you are trying to stalk Elk/Deer.This does help with that but probably shouldn't by stalking that close to roads anyway but i do see your point it was not introduced for the achery hunters it was first supposed to help disperese the broods to help with juvenile's not being harvested now they are saying it's for the hens both bs out of the 12 i saw last week only 2 were hen's that i could tell ruffs are easy to distinguish blues not so much but they were pretty big so yeah
Post by: BLDtraLR on September 09, 2022, 08:57:06 AM
And yes we are upset as are alot of grouse hunters. But yes that is a possiblity and has happened in the past but not very often and if it does so be it wave have a good one and continue the hunt on both ends everyone is happy, But this is why i could never understand why archery does not have there own season with no guns period. Muzzy has a season,Riffle has there own season. We archer's cannot hunt during thier seasons so why our's ???? :bash: :bash:It was my understanding that this was introduced for the archery hunters, makes sense to me. Who wants more trucks driving the roads shooting when you are trying to stalk Elk/Deer.
:yeah:
For the archery folk that are upset they lose out on opportunistic harvest; how upset would ya'll be if my dog comes busting up your stalk or stand for a covey of ruffed? :dunno: just a thought.
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 09, 2022, 09:07:40 AM
And yes we are upset as are alot of grouse hunters. But yes that is a possiblity and has happened in the past but not very often and if it does so be it wave have a good one and continue the hunt on both ends everyone is happy, But this is why i could never understand why archery does not have there own season with no guns period. Muzzy has a season,Riffle has there own season. We archer's cannot hunt during thier seasons so why our's ???? :bash: :bash:It was my understanding that this was introduced for the archery hunters, makes sense to me. Who wants more trucks driving the roads shooting when you are trying to stalk Elk/Deer.
:yeah:
For the archery folk that are upset they lose out on opportunistic harvest; how upset would ya'll be if my dog comes busting up your stalk or stand for a covey of ruffed? :dunno: just a thought.
Archers are able to hunt grouse with firearms, archery season or not. I know the frustration of other people using the resources while I'm trying to hunt archery. Pickers, Dave Workman ( :chuckle:), people sighting in firearms, etc. But equal access to the resources for all comes with some inconveniences. I believe we all need to focus more on standing together as hunters to keep and increase the hunting opportunities that we have.
Post by: Broomd on September 11, 2022, 03:54:02 PM
Hard times for north Idaho grouse.
Post by: sagerat on September 11, 2022, 04:49:51 PM
Haven't seen a single grouse this whole Summer other than a dead one hit by a vehicle. Didn't hear a single drum either.
Hard times for north Idaho grouse.
Better delay the Idaho opener too then
Post by: Gobble Gobble on September 11, 2022, 05:20:55 PM
So I read this thread Thursday night and Friday my son and I went and stayed at a co workers cabin for the weekend. We are going for the youth upland opener next weekend so we have already looked at the regs and talked about what was legal come next weekend. As we all know normally grouse opens with archery on 9/1. Well, we woke up Saturday morning as I look out the bathroom window there is a hen spruce grouse picking gravel in front of the car. I tell my son to come look and he replies with "can I shoot it?" Told him no, then educated him on the season change and why and about this thread is how I learned of the change. Told him it's a good thing I read it or I'd of said yes, and he would have shot the hen out of season which is poaching. We both were sad but it is what it is. We did see however on the drive back to the highway about 30 young grouse running together on the gravel road. Looked to all be this years hatch. Some tried to fly but couldn't yet. Never did see any adults in the group. Glad to see that many young together.
Post by: Dave Workman on September 13, 2022, 07:16:24 AM
Dave thanks for posting this change it saved me and my son from poaching yesterday!
So I read this thread Thursday night and Friday my son and I went and stayed at a co workers cabin for the weekend. We are going for the youth upland opener next weekend so we have already looked at the regs and talked about what was legal come next weekend. As we all know normally grouse opens with archery on 9/1. Well, we woke up Saturday morning as I look out the bathroom window there is a hen spruce grouse picking gravel in front of the car. I tell my son to come look and he replies with "can I shoot it?" Told him no, then educated him on the season change and why and about this thread is how I learned of the change. Told him it's a good thing I read it or I'd of said yes, and he would have shot the hen out of season which is poaching. We both were sad but it is what it is. We did see however on the drive back to the highway about 30 young grouse running together on the gravel road. Looked to all be this years hatch. Some tried to fly but couldn't yet. Never did see any adults in the group. Glad to see that many young together.
I take this as a compliment, and I'm delighted you were spared some embarrassment. :tup: Season opens this Thursday. I'll be out there, somewhere, looking to bring law'n order to the rogue grouse. Time to blast some thunder chickens!
GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY. Remember to take photos (smiling faces, birds in hand, gun in hand -- photos of dead birds on a truck tailgate don't say much ;) )
And details in your reports: Where, gun/gauge/shot size...and especially if you pop 'em with a .22 pistol!
Post by: hunter399 on September 13, 2022, 07:21:12 AM
Not sure if that is a result of the change last year or what.
Looks to be a great year for them.
Good luck y'all.
I got a new stoeger shotgun to try out.
Post by: Dave Workman on September 13, 2022, 02:46:22 PM
I've seen so many grouse ,since September 1.
Not sure if that is a result of the change last year or what.
Looks to be a great year for them.
Good luck y'all.
I got a new stoeger shotgun to try out.
Where'd you see "all these grouse?" What part of the state?
Post by: vandeman17 on September 13, 2022, 02:50:58 PM
I've seen so many grouse ,since September 1.
Not sure if that is a result of the change last year or what.
Looks to be a great year for them.
Good luck y'all.
I got a new stoeger shotgun to try out.
I bought 20 acres up north here about 5 weeks ago. In my couple walks around the property since I would venture a guess that I have flushed 15 or more grouse