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Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: perezz21 on November 28, 2010, 10:50:12 PM


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Title: Beginner Grouse Hunter Needs Advice
Post by: perezz21 on November 28, 2010, 10:50:12 PM
The majority of my hunting experiences come from Eastern Washington quail hunts but lately I've been eager to hunt my native Western Washington and her elusive grouse. Because I'm new to hunting here I have a lot of (embarrassing) questions to help me get going in the right direction.

First and foremost, where can I go? I'm near Hwy 2 which runs through Sultan, Index, Skykomish, etc... I have seen tons of forest service roads but am I allowed to hunt on them? There are also massive amounts of old logging roads around here but I couldn't find any info on hunting regs. Blah, blah, blah. Where can I legally nab a bird in my area?

I'm also getting off to quite a late start on the season. Should I even bother hunting in all of this rain/snow? If so what should I do differently to catch a winter grouse? I'll be hunting without a dog... Morning, noon, early evening?
Title: Re: Beginner Grouse Hunter Needs Advice
Post by: NWBREW on November 28, 2010, 10:53:08 PM
Do you want to catch one or shoot one?  :chuckle: Hunt the OLD logging roads.
Title: Re: Beginner Grouse Hunter Needs Advice
Post by: krout81 on November 28, 2010, 11:35:05 PM
Morning has always been the time I see the most.  Old logging roads that are on the east facing slopes when the sun hits them just right.  Evenings have seen some but nearly as many but you want to be on the west facing slopes.  Have jumped alot of them on old roads that have small pebbles and grass..
Title: Re: Beginner Grouse Hunter Needs Advice
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 29, 2010, 05:29:19 AM
It's going to be tough with all the snow on the logging roads further up hwy 2. Try some of the North fork roads.
Title: Re: Beginner Grouse Hunter Needs Advice
Post by: Black Plague on November 29, 2010, 10:24:42 AM
if you go hiking up into the Priest-Salmo loop about 15 miles in you might be able to CATCH some spruce grouse, it might take 2 guys though to sneak up and push them towards you ...fishing net might be handy....I was up there last year and killed 4 by throwing rocks... tasty little bonus while backpacking late September.
Title: Re: Beginner Grouse Hunter Needs Advice
Post by: MikeWalking on November 29, 2010, 07:21:03 PM
The Beckler River road going North from Skykomish is well plowed all winter. It has to be kept open for property owners that can't come up from Index, fix the damn road already :bash:

There are turnouts and other spots to park and get into the woods. If you see a silver Jeep with a Hunt Wa logo on the window that will be me snowshoeing up somewhere with Grandpa's 20ga
Title: Re: Beginner Grouse Hunter Needs Advice
Post by: chester on November 30, 2010, 01:41:16 PM
I couldnt tell you if 62 is accesible. I never saw any grouse up there anyway. But I used to run into a bunch off of beckler.
Title: Re: Beginner Grouse Hunter Needs Advice
Post by: MikeWalking on November 30, 2010, 02:21:30 PM
62? NO.  Gated Private land.   Used to be able to start there and go all the way to Snoqualmie.  The Logging Company, can't quite remember the name got mad and closed it off.  Slob shooters etc...
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