Post by: SWKID on April 24, 2008, 01:53:52 PM
I am new to grouse grouse hunting in SW Washington and am looking for some help, My father who recently passed away was a great grouse hunter, Every season he would always bring home a good dozen or so birds.
I just recently got my hunting licence and would like to get out in the Field when the season starts. The only problem is that my dad never told me about were he would go or were to find grouse and stuff like that.
Me and my family live out by Fargher Lake area or NE Clark County, I know that my dad never left far from home, Basically this season I just want to get my first bird and if anyone would be as kind enough to point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. And by no means am I trying to take anyones spot I just would like some guidance on some good areas within an hour or two's drive.
Thanks!
Post by: tlbradford on April 24, 2008, 06:57:36 PM
Post by: PacificNWhunter on April 24, 2008, 08:24:33 PM
I have only hunted grouse over here on the westside, so hopefully this will help. I have found the best luck like tlbradford said in the early morning and late afternoon. If you can find a gated road that has accessable gravel, is somewhat overgrown and has thick, young, woody cover like alders, and dogwood seems work for my area. Edges, where differing kinds of forest meet are also good. I hunt with a dog so it involves a lot of walking for me, I used to bike around on logging roads (yes the gun was unloaded) and found that that worked well to and covered alot of ground behind the gates. Good luck.
Post by: alecvg on April 24, 2008, 09:17:46 PM
Post by: Curly on April 24, 2008, 10:11:28 PM
You should find good grouse hunting just east of where you live. If you head up onto the Forest Service roads and work your way up high you should be able to find some decent blue grouse numbers.
Did your dad bring home blues or ruffed grouse? The blues are usually found higher up and the ruffed grouse are down low in the brushy drainages. You can usually find both of them on logging roads early in the morning eating gravel/sand off the roads. Blues can be found in more open areas than ruffed grouse.
Post by: Dman on May 22, 2008, 09:42:27 PM
Post by: Jekemi on August 05, 2008, 10:19:18 AM
I would also recommend joining the Ruffed Grouse Society. they have a great local chapter. the guy to contact is: Robert Olson at: bgolson2@msn.com. Their annual field day is this Saturday, Aug. 9th. The chapter hunt is in Cle Elum on September 5 - 7.
Post by: Jekemi on August 14, 2008, 12:34:04 PM
Male grouse maintain a territory of about 10 to 50 acres. They defend this territory and will not tolerate other males nearby. Females wander over a larger area, as much as 100 acres, but they tend to stay on a particular home range, though this may overlap with the ranges and territories of other females and males.
Ruffed grouse remain active year round. In winter they continue to walk around on the snow surface, aided by extended scales on their toes that act like snowshoes. When they are at rest they fluff up their feathers until they look like little brown bowling balls, the spherical shape helping to conserve body heat. They will also take advantage of deep snow for shelter from the cold. After a short flight they will plunge right into the snow to spend the night secure and well insulated.
Post by: Dave Workman on August 18, 2008, 10:07:16 AM
I love grouse hunting. The fact that F&H News folded before the second and third installments of my annual three-part grouse hot spot treatise were published breaks my heart, but on the upside, those spots will still be secret (sort of) :chuckle:
I use 12- and 20-gauge S/S doubles with fixed chokes (full/mod) and No. 6 loads consistently. Blues are preferred, but a good ruffed grouse breast fried with a couple of strips of bacon across the top, coupled with fried potatoes and onions, is simply superb.
I never miss the Sept. 1 opener.
Post by: backwoods_boy on August 27, 2008, 10:52:09 AM
its in east king county and i am bored with it as i hunt it every year. so i wouldnt mind passing it on to somone.
so hit me up
later! :hello:
Post by: Jekemi on August 27, 2008, 03:55:24 PM
yes, pass it on. I'd appreciate it. love to hunt the ruffed grouse and love to eat them. Thanks in advance.
Post by: backwoods_boy on August 27, 2008, 04:02:51 PM
and grouse is about the only animal i would give up a honey hole.
grouse is fun but i am done with those silly birds after about 5 seasons of playing with them
;-)
Post by: OmyLLwhy on August 28, 2008, 08:41:08 AM
PM Me if you would like to hear more about it.
and grouse is about the only animal i would give up a honey hole.
grouse is fun but i am done with those silly birds after about 5 seasons of playing with them
;-)
Would this infomation be available to anyone else?
Tom C.
Post by: DeKuma on August 28, 2008, 08:46:12 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 28, 2008, 09:09:15 AM
Post by: CP on August 28, 2008, 09:15:55 AM
Post by: alfbennett on September 05, 2008, 07:03:14 PM