Post by: Dave Workman on June 17, 2009, 02:03:08 PM
Let's talk about WHERE...
Good grouse spots east and west. (I don't ask you to give up your favorite honey holes...only I do that, in print, in the pages of Northwest Sportsman magazine and formerly in the now-defunct Fishing & Hunting News...yes, I must be deranged!)
Without getting "too" specific...where would you guys start looking?
Up the Little Naches in Yakima County?
Up around Manastash Lake in Kittitas County?
Teanaway?
The upper Colockum?
North of Leavenworth?
On the ridges overlooking Lake Chelan?
Okanogan County south of the Methow?
North of the Methow?
Twisp River?
West or east of Oroville??
Up around Curlew?
The Little Pend Oreilles?
Lewis and northern Skamania counties?
The Coast?
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on June 17, 2009, 02:05:35 PM
Post by: BigGoonTuna on June 17, 2009, 02:13:17 PM
:chuckle:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 17, 2009, 02:29:20 PM
Post by: AWS on June 17, 2009, 03:00:19 PM
AWS
Post by: rasbo on June 17, 2009, 03:19:54 PM
Post by: old boat on June 17, 2009, 04:02:10 PM
Post by: Curly on June 17, 2009, 04:08:35 PM
Although I do have most of your maps from F&H News. :)
Post by: teal101 on June 17, 2009, 04:12:24 PM
Post by: rasbo on June 17, 2009, 04:17:28 PM
Post by: old boat on June 17, 2009, 04:58:53 PM
Post by: bucklucky on June 17, 2009, 05:05:27 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 17, 2009, 06:29:03 PM
>:( Yeah I took a friend grouse hunting back in the day,King County, he worked with you at FHN and you published a map of that spot :bash: But by gones are gone by, nice list, I've have better times east of the mountains. If I can find a stand of poplar, I usually find birds. West of the hills I'm just prospecting, I can't seem to narrow down their favorite cover! Any ideas?
Old Boat...who are we talking about?
I published maps of places I hunt, not merely maps of places somebody told me about.
Just over 2 1/2 months remaining until what flies dies. :IBCOOL:
Already salivating! The opener is on a Tuesday and I ain't going to work that morning!
Post by: old boat on June 17, 2009, 07:39:50 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 18, 2009, 04:34:11 AM
Well its not real important, but I guess I should have said FHN published a map of the area!
Well, that's what F&H News...and other opportunity-oriented publications ... are supposed to do. :P
It's why people bought the magazine. They expected that.
Anytime I did a map, that was "my" hunting spot I was giving up. Sort of "sharing the wealth" so to speak. I believe over the past four or five years, I gave up 15-18 good grouse hunting spots, and over the years I wrote on the staff as WA editor, I did a hell of a lot more such maps.
I'm doing two more grouse maps in Northwest Sportsman this year...one in the July and one in the August edition. One east, one west.
Post by: ICEMAN on June 18, 2009, 06:58:33 AM
Post by: jackelope on June 18, 2009, 08:15:18 AM
Post by: Curly on June 18, 2009, 09:29:35 AM
It's why people bought the magazine. They expected that.
Anytime I did a map, that was "my" hunting spot I was giving up. Sort of "sharing the wealth" so to speak. I believe over the past four or five years, I gave up 15-18 good grouse hunting spots, and over the years I wrote on the staff as WA editor, I did a hell of a lot more such maps.
I'm doing two more grouse maps in Northwest Sportsman this year...one in the July and one in the August edition. One east, one west.
That is one reason why I bought F&H News.........just one more source of info. I enjoyed the maps.
I will also have to think about subscribing to NW Sportsman.
Post by: Dave Workman on June 18, 2009, 01:26:41 PM
with all due respect here Dave, I'm pretty sure no one's giving much info in this thread because they figure it will end up in the magazine.
Well, phooey on those guys!
;)
Post by: Dave Workman on June 18, 2009, 01:28:55 PM
I cant wait for the opener!
Well, you're gonna have to, just like the rest of us.
In the meantime, why can't we read great grouse hunting stories like they USED to publish in Outdoor Life 40 years ago?
Those were great tales, lots of color, good action.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 18, 2009, 01:33:50 PM
Post by: old boat on June 18, 2009, 01:46:32 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 18, 2009, 02:15:46 PM
Dave, for Grouse area, I suppose it depends on where you live. I won't drive to Capital Forest for Grouse, though it is a good area. I would rather chose a spot closer to home for a Sunday hunt for Grouse. -Though I know several areas that are Grouse producers, most of my Grouse is taken during Deer season. To be honest, I bet I've seen the least amount of Grouse in the Little Pend Oriell than any other wooded area in the state. I have taken Grouse from Skamania county to Whatcom county and the Okanogon. The best areas to 'hunt' are green belts that have open underbrush. After a rain I just walk/drive the logging roads. Otherwise I've shot plenty of them out in the middle of nowhere. I've killed them from nearly sea level to 6000 feet. The largest Grouse I've ever seen were on the eastern side of Mount Baker foothills. The most abundant area that stands out in memory would be the Little Mashel and Nisqually drainages and for some reason, what used to be the Black Diamond Plateau, but that was many years ago.
I'm sure there are a lot of us on this forum that could talk about Bird and Deer areas that we've hunted that are now covered with housing developments. Sux!
-Steve
Post by: Da stump on June 18, 2009, 02:36:06 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 18, 2009, 07:20:11 PM
Well; I wasn't to concerned, it may have been other people hunted there, just thought it was a coincidence. The two of you and a photo spread with a map, especially since hunter "X" was a novice hunter and a new-by to the state. I felt hunter "X" was the villain, still do. Don't know you, so I can't say. So back to my question about west side grouse, what do you look for, early season, that may limit my aimless wandering in the forrest? Seriously the west side birds got me confused!
I hunt alders and vine maple for ruffed grouse, along riparian areass with streams, and look along the grassy road edges early and late for grouse and that's where you will find them when you get off the road and hunt the surrounding country.
Berry patches will attract grouse, and as I note in my upcoming story in NORTHWEST SPORTSMAN about hunting the country from Mosquito Meadows to Burley Mountain, Badger Ridge and Pinto Rock south of Randle, all of those up high areas with berries can be LOADED with blue grouse. I cannot remember a time when I went up there that I haven't seen grouse. Sometimes LOTSA grouse.
I've also bumped into grouse most of the time up around Walupt Lake.
I don't know what NWHF News is. Never heard of it.
There was Fishing & Hunting News.
Now there IS "Northwest Sportsman"
Post by: Dave Workman on June 18, 2009, 07:24:43 PM
It had all the elements, a bit of history, grouse habitat tips, shooting and not shooting, missing and hitting, camping out with grouse for dinner, and he did it all by himself..
I got the opportunity late in his life to speak to Mr. Bauer, who had moved to Sequim with his second wife and became a renowned nature photographer. He was a very kind, gentle man from the old school, and as gracious a fellow on the telephone as I have ever spoken with. When I told him what I thought of his grouse story, he was very flattered.
His older son dug out a copy of it and sent it to me about a year after his death.
A very interesting guy who would have been welcome at my campfire anytime.
Post by: ICEMAN on June 18, 2009, 07:28:28 PM
We hit the elderberry plants in the middle of the state.... We always open the birds up and see what was for brkfst or lunch....fresh greens, lots of ants and other bugs, pine tips, and berries... Looked good enough to eat!
My favorite way to grouse, is to walk the old closed forest service grades....look for sheds....spy grouse sleeping in the shade under a lone tree...or plink one out of a pine tree after you wake it up from nap time.... I've even shot a few as they dusted themselves on ridge tops in the am... I hardly ever shoot at a flying grouse...
Erwin Bauer sounds like he was a great man.
Post by: Dave Workman on June 19, 2009, 04:40:53 AM
I am hopeful that one day we might see a volume of his early hunting stuff.
Nothing wrong with plinking grouse in the head with a .22 The shotgun purists go bananas when they hear me talk about that or read it in one of my stories but at dinner time, I'm not the one picking shot out of my teeth.
:chuckle:
Post by: rasbo on June 19, 2009, 04:46:52 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 19, 2009, 05:27:31 AM
Post by: T-Bone on June 19, 2009, 04:24:43 PM
Post by: blacktail luv on June 19, 2009, 11:30:41 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 20, 2009, 07:09:10 AM
I have lost count of the number of fool hens I've sacked over the years, but every one of them was a challenge. Good eats, too!
I've shot a few of them in the head with .22 rifles and pistols, too. I just acquired a like-new but used (vintage 1963) Ruger semi-auto pistol in .22 LR and it is dead bang accurate.
Dusting off the 20-gauge S/S double to work out the kinks, too. Counting down the weeks, then the days.
Season opens on a Tuesday. I will not be in the office! ;)
Post by: ing on June 22, 2009, 07:16:19 AM
To be honest, I've found grouse to be "where you find them".I agree. Every year I find grouse in different places. I've hunted the same area for years and its never the same. Bird numbers seem to fluctuate drastically from year to year, but we manage to do alright. I kill mostley blues. We find ruffs every now and then and I've killed a spruce once. I'd have to say that grouse are my favorite bird to hunt. As for where we hunt... east side of the state, high elevations wherever we find berries and water.
Post by: Da stump on June 22, 2009, 08:55:02 AM
Post by: NW-GSP on June 22, 2009, 01:10:16 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 22, 2009, 06:49:02 PM
I guess that I've been spoiled shooting dumb blue grouse out on open hillsides off abandoned logging grades and skid roads.
I know there is a certain element that really sneers at hunters who bonk 'em in the head with a .22 or ground-sluices them, but for a guaranteed dinner, sometimes that's what you gotta do.
Post by: NW-GSP on June 22, 2009, 09:21:46 PM
I have never hunted grouse over a dog. Hunted pheasants and chukar over a dog.
I guess that I've been spoiled shooting dumb blue grouse out on open hillsides off abandoned logging grades and skid roads.
I know there is a certain element that really sneers at hunters who bonk 'em in the head with a .22 or ground-sluices them, but for a guaranteed dinner, sometimes that's what you gotta do.
I agree that sometimes it is what you gotta do. I have done the same thing with roosters that refuse to flush and just keep running ( it gets old chasing the same rooster for a couple hundred yards)
Post by: ing on June 22, 2009, 10:28:51 PM
Yeah, no kidding. I've shot my fair share of ducks off the water also. My moto: if you have a chance at making a clean kill take it. Who cares if the bird is flying or notI have never hunted grouse over a dog. Hunted pheasants and chukar over a dog.
I guess that I've been spoiled shooting dumb blue grouse out on open hillsides off abandoned logging grades and skid roads.
I know there is a certain element that really sneers at hunters who bonk 'em in the head with a .22 or ground-sluices them, but for a guaranteed dinner, sometimes that's what you gotta do.
I agree that sometimes it is what you gotta do. I have done the same thing with roosters that refuse to flush and just keep running ( it gets old chasing the same rooster for a couple hundred yards)
Post by: Dave Workman on June 23, 2009, 07:25:37 PM
http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7976067
See how many you can find.
Post by: NW-GSP on June 23, 2009, 08:51:22 PM
Yeah, no kidding. I've shot my fair share of ducks off the water also. My moto: if you have a chance at making a clean kill take it. Who cares if the bird is flying or notI have never hunted grouse over a dog. Hunted pheasants and chukar over a dog.
I guess that I've been spoiled shooting dumb blue grouse out on open hillsides off abandoned logging grades and skid roads.
I know there is a certain element that really sneers at hunters who bonk 'em in the head with a .22 or ground-sluices them, but for a guaranteed dinner, sometimes that's what you gotta do.
I agree that sometimes it is what you gotta do. I have done the same thing with roosters that refuse to flush and just keep running ( it gets old chasing the same rooster for a couple hundred yards)
It all depend on what you think is ethical, I have alot of respect for people that truly hunt with good ethics
Post by: bobcat on June 23, 2009, 09:06:33 PM
Post by: ing on June 23, 2009, 11:24:57 PM
I would not shoot at ducks on the water because it is a low odds shot. Chances are the duck will get up and fly away unless it's close enough to get a few hits in the head. Otherwise you're just shooting it in the back and it will just fly away and die later.They were all head shots. all while jump shooting.
Post by: Da stump on June 24, 2009, 06:44:31 AM
Post by: oneezreiter on June 24, 2009, 06:56:06 AM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 24, 2009, 09:07:19 AM
Post by: ing on June 24, 2009, 11:43:49 AM
So are you saying if a bird is shot off the ground or water it is unethical?Yeah, no kidding. I've shot my fair share of ducks off the water also. My moto: if you have a chance at making a clean kill take it. Who cares if the bird is flying or notI have never hunted grouse over a dog. Hunted pheasants and chukar over a dog.
I guess that I've been spoiled shooting dumb blue grouse out on open hillsides off abandoned logging grades and skid roads.
I know there is a certain element that really sneers at hunters who bonk 'em in the head with a .22 or ground-sluices them, but for a guaranteed dinner, sometimes that's what you gotta do.
I agree that sometimes it is what you gotta do. I have done the same thing with roosters that refuse to flush and just keep running ( it gets old chasing the same rooster for a couple hundred yards)
It all depend on what you think is ethical, I have alot of respect for people that truly hunt with good ethics
Post by: NW-GSP on June 24, 2009, 02:03:15 PM
To each their own but my opinion is that it isSo are you saying if a bird is shot off the ground or water it is unethical?Yeah, no kidding. I've shot my fair share of ducks off the water also. My moto: if you have a chance at making a clean kill take it. Who cares if the bird is flying or notI have never hunted grouse over a dog. Hunted pheasants and chukar over a dog.
I guess that I've been spoiled shooting dumb blue grouse out on open hillsides off abandoned logging grades and skid roads.
I know there is a certain element that really sneers at hunters who bonk 'em in the head with a .22 or ground-sluices them, but for a guaranteed dinner, sometimes that's what you gotta do.
I agree that sometimes it is what you gotta do. I have done the same thing with roosters that refuse to flush and just keep running ( it gets old chasing the same rooster for a couple hundred yards)
It all depend on what you think is ethical, I have alot of respect for people that truly hunt with good ethics
Post by: rasbo on June 24, 2009, 02:44:16 PM
Post by: teal101 on June 24, 2009, 03:47:40 PM
To each their own but my opinion is that it isSo are you saying if a bird is shot off the ground or water it is unethical?Yeah, no kidding. I've shot my fair share of ducks off the water also. My moto: if you have a chance at making a clean kill take it. Who cares if the bird is flying or notI have never hunted grouse over a dog. Hunted pheasants and chukar over a dog.
I guess that I've been spoiled shooting dumb blue grouse out on open hillsides off abandoned logging grades and skid roads.
I know there is a certain element that really sneers at hunters who bonk 'em in the head with a .22 or ground-sluices them, but for a guaranteed dinner, sometimes that's what you gotta do.
I agree that sometimes it is what you gotta do. I have done the same thing with roosters that refuse to flush and just keep running ( it gets old chasing the same rooster for a couple hundred yards)
It all depend on what you think is ethical, I have alot of respect for people that truly hunt with good ethics
Agreed. Its circumstantial, but for the most part I find it unethical. I try my best to get all grouse to fly before shooting, although some won't. With other upland birds its the same but thats usually not a problem. Waterfowl its inexcusable imo. If they are wounded and wont fly go for it. It is very difficult to cleanly kill a duck on the water over 25 yds as most of the bird is under water.
Post by: Da stump on June 24, 2009, 08:10:00 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 24, 2009, 08:25:24 PM
I think there's a huge difference if you're pointing a shottie at a bird mid flight, vs on the water or ground, and/or with a dog that's flushing.
Agree'd?
Now, without a doggie, taking a grouse off a limb or on the ground with a rimfire pistol, (or rifle), taking aim through grass, leaf, limb, larger branches and shadows can still be quite a challenge. Often times the birdie has the advantage. -Rimfire or even other centerfire. How well do you shoot your scoped Deer/Elk rifle that's zero'd in at 300yds at the bobbing head of a bird that's well within 15yds? My 13yr old kid can do it, can yours?
Ethical? You're damn right!
If some hunters don't think so, fine. But I'll be smiling as I take another bite at dinner time. ;)
-Steve
Hmm... Don't we shoot Turkey's with shottie while they're on the ground? (head/neck shot) Unethical?
What if I took a Turkey with rimfire pistol, (head shot), after calling him in? Unethical? (not that I've ever tried it. I'm sure it would be quite difficult.)
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 24, 2009, 08:58:02 PM
I think there's a post or two about how I regard ethics and fair chase. How I have introduced my boys to those same values. I think that a hunter needs to take every situation into perspective and decide for him/herself.
Is it ethical that we use high power rifles to take game at ranges well beyond 400yds when the game doesn't even know they're threatened? (not to change subject of this thread...)
-Steve
Post by: ing on June 24, 2009, 09:18:18 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on June 25, 2009, 06:50:29 AM
Agreed. Its circumstantial, but for the most part I find it unethical. I try my best to get all grouse to fly before shooting, although some won't. With other upland birds its the same but thats usually not a problem. Waterfowl its inexcusable imo. If they are wounded and wont fly go for it. It is very difficult to cleanly kill a duck on the water over 25 yds as most of the bird is under water.
I've never liked the term "ethical." What one person considers "ethical" another might find completely reprehensible. I like the term "responsible" better. I happen to think it's responsible to shoot grouse in the head, saves the meat
"Ethics" is a term some people use like a bludgeon.
Post by: teal101 on June 25, 2009, 08:51:52 AM
I think its perfectly ethical to shoot a grouse on the ground or out of a tree with a rifle, as that is what the gun is designed to do and you have a high kill rate.
A shotgun is more for flying game. The pellets fly slower than a rifles will and for shorter distances.
The turkey argument is invalid. They are taken on the gorund to provide a clean kill. The feathers on a turkey are thick enough that body shots often do not kill the bird. In the air it is difficult to shoot the bird in the head and most end up wounding them.
Different strokes for different quarry as well as method of harvesting the quarry. :)
Post by: fethrduster on June 25, 2009, 09:12:13 AM
Post by: old boat on June 25, 2009, 11:41:11 PM
If I remember correctly, shooting at a target on the water substantially increases the chance of ricochet, with a shotgun the lethal range is considerably less but I think it is technically a no-no!(that is a legal term) I have shot cripples that I could not retrieve on the water. As for ethics, I can't say very much, I prefer to hunt grouse with a dog and a shotgun, call me a heathen!
Post by: scudmaster on June 26, 2009, 12:11:10 AM
Along this thread, there's a great snapshot of some grouse chicks.
http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7976067
See how many you can find.
4, maybe 5
Post by: Dave Workman on July 12, 2009, 02:28:02 PM
Full, Modified or I/C? Maybe Cylinder / open choke?
No. 5, 6 or 7 1/2?
Post by: satchel3006 on July 13, 2009, 05:48:06 AM
Post by: CP on July 13, 2009, 07:10:45 AM
I have an A5 light that works a bit better, full choke, still tighter than I’d like. I have a short barreled open cylinder 12g that works great close up, but its range is limited. I’m sure that need to buy a new gun, I’m thinking modified. Maybe 20g.
Post by: madmack76 on July 13, 2009, 06:34:07 PM
Post by: Gutpile on July 13, 2009, 06:45:10 PM
I have never hunted grouse over a dog. Hunted pheasants and chukar over a dog.
I guess that I've been spoiled shooting dumb blue grouse out on open hillsides off abandoned logging grades and skid roads.
I know there is a certain element that really sneers at hunters who bonk 'em in the head with a .22 or ground-sluices them, but for a guaranteed dinner, sometimes that's what you gotta do.
I've hunted them with dogs and it's great fun. I've also shot them off the logging roads which is also great fun. In all reality grouse live in such thick cover where I shoot them that flying shots are not very practical. To me grouse are a target of opportunity when I'm scouting or hunting something else. I shoot them where I see them. Typically with a 410 or 20 gauge. Frankly I have no use for someone that says ground sleusing a grouse is unethical.
Post by: rasbo on July 13, 2009, 06:50:38 PM
Post by: Gutpile on July 13, 2009, 06:52:19 PM
,Im a sluicing junkie,22mag in da head,clean meat so good to eat..Cant wait to start again..
Me too!!!! Didn't hunt them at all last year. This year I plan on eating a lot of grouse fajitas.
Post by: rasbo on July 13, 2009, 06:54:09 PM
that sounds good Im gonna make some this year..,Im a sluicing junkie,22mag in da head,clean meat so good to eat..Cant wait to start again..
Me too!!!! Didn't hunt them at all last year. This year I plan on eating a lot of grouse fajitas.
Post by: Dave Workman on August 06, 2009, 11:28:19 AM
who*
where
when
type of gun/gauge (or caliber)
who snapped the photo??
GET AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN; that is, fill the frame with the photo of hunter and bird, not some sweeping wide angle scenic panorama with a tiny person in the middle of it all clutching a teensy weensy bird.
*name and town
name and town
name and town!