Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: Mooshiespam on August 17, 2023, 02:52:45 PM

Title: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: Mooshiespam on August 17, 2023, 02:52:45 PM: Hi everyone,

I’m a brand new hunter and am looking for a spot to take my first grouse. Any recommendations in the Bellevue, Duvall, or Carnation area?

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Title: Re: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: Oldguy on August 17, 2023, 03:22:18 PM: Welcome to the forum. No one is going to give you a specific answer since grouse hunters work hard at finding good spots.They will probably be willing to give you suggestions regarding books, youtube videos and WDFW biologists for help and might give general areas of the state to head for.
Good luck and hope you are successful this Fall.
Title: Re: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: Mooshiespam on August 17, 2023, 03:22:55 PM: Quote from: Oldguy on August 17, 2023, 03:22:18 PM
Welcome to the forum. No one is going to give you a specific answer since grouse hunters work hard at finding good spots.They will probably be willing to give you suggestions regarding books, youtube videos and WDFW biologists for help and might give general areas of the state to head for.
Good luck and hope you are successful this Fall.
Thanks so much!

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Title: Re: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: vandeman17 on August 17, 2023, 03:29:19 PM: As Oldguy stated, GOOD grouse spots are protected by a lot of hunters. With that said, there are plenty of options in King County to go explore and get on some grouse. If you can find some gated roads just start walking them during the season. I am far from a serious grouse hunter and have had 100s more scare the heck out of me than I have killed but l find a lot in areas where there are fresh berries and good cover. Keep your eyes peeled not only in the trees but also along the edges of the roads as they love to sit there during the day, just waiting for their time to flush and test your bladder control.
Title: Re: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: buckfvr on August 17, 2023, 04:05:32 PM: Think national forest, gain some elevation, areas with kinnikinnick ground cover and scrub alder stands, gravel roads etc., and listen for them drumming.
Title: Re: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: Jpmiller on August 17, 2023, 05:15:50 PM: One of the things that helped me to find more grouse was finding small pockets of water or small springs near (but not on) forest service roads. Takes some time locating them but it's been worth it in my case.
Title: Re: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: ducks4days on August 17, 2023, 09:31:33 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on August 17, 2023, 03:29:19 PM
As Oldguy stated, GOOD grouse spots are protected by a lot of hunters. With that said, there are plenty of options in King County to go explore and get on some grouse. If you can find some gated roads just start walking them during the season. I am far from a serious grouse hunter and have had 100s more scare the heck out of me than I have killed but l find a lot in areas where there are fresh berries and good cover. Keep your eyes peeled not only in the trees but also along the edges of the roads as they love to sit there during the day, just waiting for their time to flush and test your bladder control.

Man they scare the absolute piss out of me almost every time. They always bust when I’m basically in front of them and under the tree they are on. Its always when I’m still hunting something kind of thick that looks like places I have found elk or bear.
Title: Re: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: 22shtur on August 18, 2023, 09:36:01 PM: On top of stumps?
(https://i.imgur.com/oPz6nHk.jpg?2)
Title: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: jackelope on August 19, 2023, 08:39:50 AM: There is definitely no grouse hunting in Bellevue.

There is state land outside of Duvall and Carnation that has a few ruffed grouse. They’re hard to find but there are worse ways to spend a day. If you want good/better grouse hunting, you’re going to have to leave King county. At least the areas you mentioned.
Title: Re: Grouse Hunting in King County
Post by: Dave Workman on August 19, 2023, 05:07:11 PM: Recommend you try the following areas:
Off Highway 410 east of Enumclaw, take USFS Road 70 follow the road signs all the way up toward the Cascade Crest. Get a USFS map and find Government Meadow (just over the county line in Yakima County). Hunt up all along the crest area and look for the old Naches Trail.

If you feel like hiking, try up in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness (trails off I-90 in several spots) or go way up the Snoqualmie Middle Fork, and follow the road and trail up toward Dingford Creek.