Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: Dave Workman on August 25, 2024, 03:41:46 PM

Title: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on August 25, 2024, 03:41:46 PM: Was up above Snoqualmie Pass Sunday. Place was loaded with people picking huckleberries, and they had a lot to pick!
My guess is there are tons of em just on the one ridge north of Keechelus Lake and I-90. I counted at least a dozen people heading up into the brush.
Nobody had seen any bears in their wanderings, but with a crop like this, I expect there must be a few blue grouse in the neighborhood, and I would not be surprised to learn of a black bear or two wandering around.

GROUSE Opener is 3 weeks away. Sunday, Sept. 15. I've already got my .22 rifle and pistol zeroed, and now I get to haul out one of my 20-gauge guns to clobber some clay targets.

How's the berry crop where any of you have been scouting?
Title: Re: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: bartholomew on August 26, 2024, 12:52:52 PM: I have been bear hunting in the S. Cascades throughout August and saw a similar story: great berry crop (huckleberries, blueberries, thimbleberries, salmonberries), many berry pickers, plenty of bear scat but no bears, and dozens of grouse, mostly in groups of two to four.
Title: Re: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: bartholomew on August 26, 2024, 12:56:46 PM: Another photo on the gravel road.
Title: Re: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: hunter399 on August 26, 2024, 01:51:46 PM: Seen a few the other day.
They where looking tasty.
Didn't even want to fly off the road.
Title: Re: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: MMCCAULEY on August 27, 2024, 09:04:03 AM: Sure hope it’s a good year. Season starts soon! Can’t wait to follow my dog around the woods.
Title: Re: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: ganghis on August 27, 2024, 11:07:17 AM: Yeah, seems like a record number of berries both in the cascades and the olympics. Haven't seen any bears though. I think of it like this: if there's lots to eat, there's not much to be gained from walking around a lot in visible locations. Probably bears staying in cover more if there's plenty to eat there. That's the theory anyway - I know they've tested that out in the midwest with collared bears in Minnesota moving a lot more in years that have less available food.
Title: Re: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: Dave Workman on September 02, 2024, 06:29:23 AM: Quote from: bartholomew on August 26, 2024, 12:56:46 PM
Another photo on the gravel road.

THIS is the kind of photo I really enjoy! Birds just ba-dooping along, heading for the stew pot!
We could be in for a decent year.
Title: Re: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: hawks33 on September 02, 2024, 09:57:05 AM: Saw 15 on one road this weekend near snoqualmie. All roughs, but looking like a good year. Got to see one fanned out too!
Title: Re: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: Loup Loup on September 02, 2024, 03:14:10 PM: 9/28/23 5500’. Protein was on the menu. For them and me.
Title: Re: Tons of berries. Will it equal hordes of grouse?
Post by: hunter399 on September 03, 2024, 01:21:43 PM: This will work you up dave.