Post by: Dave Workman on June 30, 2021, 07:12:21 AM
Time to start scouting as the broods should be showing up by now.
I'm going to start hunting in a different area. My usual good spot has been "discovered" by a bunch of yahoos and their dirt bike kids who have scared the hell out of the bird population the past couple of seasons.
Maybe up towards Salmon la Sac, or maybe north of Leavenworth; places I hunted in the distant past with some success. There was one spot on the ridge between Chelan and the Methow Valley that paid off rather well too one weekend, and one year I found lots of grouse up on the Little Pend Oreille game range.
I'll be looking for you :tup: :tup:
Post by: phildobaggins on June 30, 2021, 08:40:30 AM
Post by: Hillbilly Zen on June 30, 2021, 09:55:57 AM
Looking forward to it! Not a fan of the new season dates, but so be it. Check out this toad of a blue I shot last year opening day :chuckle:
Saw two yesterday all fat and happy! Also, you are the poster boy for firearm safety. 😂
Post by: Oldguy on June 30, 2021, 10:13:57 AM
Post by: phildobaggins on June 30, 2021, 10:58:14 AM
Post by: jrebel on June 30, 2021, 01:25:05 PM
Post by: RobinHoodlum on June 30, 2021, 04:17:52 PM
There are numerous flaws and faulty assumptions associated with their wing barrel samples, but that didn't stop them from using data that sportsmen and women provided to make yet another reduction in opportunity.
Used to be a great time to get the dog tuned up and put a few birds on the table.
Post by: Platensek-po on June 30, 2021, 04:32:16 PM
Forest grouse are doing well to very well everywhere - depending on cyclical weather-food phenomena. But, that didn't stop WDFW from eliminating the first half of September.
There are numerous flaws and faulty assumptions associated with their wing barrel samples, but that didn't stop them from using data that sportsmen and women provided to make yet another reduction in opportunity.
Used to be a great time to get the dog tuned up and put a few birds on the table.
They also bumped the end date back to Jan 15th didn’t they?
Post by: Igor on June 30, 2021, 04:36:30 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on June 30, 2021, 04:38:38 PM
Post by: KB88 on June 30, 2021, 08:36:52 PM
Chalk up another completely stupid WDFW decision by pushing dates back to the 15th. All the campers who enjoy hitting the hills during Labor Day for a few days of grouse hunting can cancel those plans. Who the hell hunts grouse in January anyways?
Hunters that can’t knock down waterfowl :chuckle:
Post by: Dave Workman on July 01, 2021, 06:06:41 AM
Looking forward to it! Not a fan of the new season dates, but so be it. Check out this toad of a blue I shot last year opening day :chuckle:
HA :chuckle: :tup:
That almost looks like grouse porn!
Where were you? Nicely done.. :tup: :tup: :tup:
Post by: Dave Workman on July 01, 2021, 06:10:30 AM
Chalk up another completely stupid WDFW decision by pushing dates back to the 15th. All the campers who enjoy hitting the hills during Labor Day for a few days of grouse hunting can cancel those plans. Who the hell hunts grouse in January anyways?
LESS....IS THE NEW "MORE"
:yike: :bash:
Post by: phildobaggins on July 01, 2021, 08:25:07 AM
Looking forward to it! Not a fan of the new season dates, but so be it. Check out this toad of a blue I shot last year opening day :chuckle:
HA :chuckle: :tup:
That almost looks like grouse porn!
Where were you? Nicely done.. :tup: :tup: :tup:
Special spot my buddy and I have gone for the opener the last 4 years in a row and never seen another hunter :chuckle: :brew:
Post by: RobinHoodlum on July 01, 2021, 08:34:14 AM
Quote
They also bumped the end date back to Jan 15th didn’t they?
Beats the heck out of me. You've practically got be a hacker to find this information. I'd bet money 9 out 10 average Joes couldn't find this information on the WDFW website in 10 minutes or less.
Post by: RobinHoodlum on July 01, 2021, 08:40:39 AM
Post by: hunter399 on July 01, 2021, 09:40:04 AM
Some areas have pretty good population,other areas they have been depleted to almost nothing.
So I'm kinda on the fence with the season pushed back.
But in the end don't really mind it I guess.
Post by: birddogdad on July 08, 2021, 07:56:21 AM
Post by: Dave Workman on July 11, 2021, 03:19:38 PM
2021 season dates have changed.. now starts 15 Sept in WA
Yeah, read my column about that in Northwest Sportsman magazine.
Post by: Dave Workman on July 11, 2021, 03:42:13 PM
LMAO I knew someone would bring that up.
Be careful where the muzzle is aimed. :tup:
Post by: Dave Workman on July 11, 2021, 03:44:14 PM
LMAO I knew someone would bring that up.
Be careful where the muzzle is aimed. :tup:
Ditto when posing with a handgun! And ALWAYS keep finger away from trigger. ;)
Post by: packmule on July 15, 2021, 07:28:01 AM
Maybe up towards Salmon la Sac, or maybe north of Leavenworth; places I hunted in the distant past with some success. There was one spot on the ridge between Chelan and the Methow Valley that paid off rather well too one weekend, and one year I found lots of grouse up on the Little Pend Oreille game range.
I'll be looking for you :tup: :tup:
I wonder how the yahoos discovered your "usual good spot" :chuckle:
Post by: hunter399 on July 15, 2021, 08:48:10 AM
I'm not a huge fan of my face being on the interweb.
But here it is.
Grouse season is getting closer,hopefully we get some rain before.
Post by: Dave Workman on July 15, 2021, 11:34:59 AM
https://gunsmagazine.com/discover/the-roaring-20/
Post by: Igor on July 15, 2021, 12:41:34 PM
I'll share a pic from last year.
I'm not a huge fan of my face being on the interweb.
But here it is.
Grouse season is getting closer,hopefully we get some rain before.
AHA !!!!! I recognized you right away. You're the guy that has been hunting grouse in my secret spot !
Post by: Special T on July 15, 2021, 03:00:38 PM
QuoteThey also bumped the end date back to Jan 15th didn’t they?
Beats the heck out of me. You've practically got be a hacker to find this information. I'd bet money 9 out 10 average Joes couldn't find this information on the WDFW website in 10 minutes or less.
The reason given was to allow later brood of grouse to mature and disperse.
Aside from the opener on labor day the vast amount of harvest is incidental. Sure the State has some die hard grouse hunters but most are shot while hunting deer or elk.
Weather effecting the hatch, and the availability of food has a lot to do with it. I know here on the West side bobcat do a number on them
Post by: hunter399 on July 15, 2021, 05:08:01 PM
Yup 100% me four sure .I'll share a pic from last year.
I'm not a huge fan of my face being on the interweb.
But here it is.
Grouse season is getting closer,hopefully we get some rain before.
AHA !!!!! I recognized you right away. You're the guy that has been hunting grouse in my secret spot !
Sounds like something I would do. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Bigshooter on July 15, 2021, 05:39:37 PM
Post by: phildobaggins on July 15, 2021, 05:58:02 PM
We should keep a grouse score board this year.
I don't want to hurt any feelings. But I'm in :chuckle:
Post by: Dave Workman on July 21, 2021, 07:05:22 AM
We should keep a grouse score board this year.
I don't want to hurt any feelings. But I'm in :chuckle:
HA! Evidently some folks plan to ruffle some feathers. Yee Haw!
Now so we don't get too far out in the weeds...anybody been spotting any broods? With all of the forest fires, I'm getting a little concerned about some of the top habitat going up in smoke.
SHARE SOME IMAGES. I conked this fat hooter a few years ago using the Stoeger S/S in .410. It's a dandy little shotgun with fixed full chokes and double triggers. Love those images from past seasons and I'll be others do too. Great memories!
Post by: Dave Workman on August 05, 2021, 07:02:17 PM
They didn't seem to care abut my presence. ... But they WILL! :IBCOOL: :yike: :tup: :tup:
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on August 05, 2021, 07:09:33 PM
Post by: jrebel on August 05, 2021, 08:21:39 PM
Post by: BLDtraLR on August 06, 2021, 09:32:49 AM
Post by: BLDtraLR on August 06, 2021, 12:17:00 PM
Post by: hunter399 on August 06, 2021, 01:00:18 PM
I'm going to rant a little on this. :bash: :bash: I'm not going to be on the board for grouse this year nor be able to enjoy one of my favorite september meals brown sugar bacon grouse because i am a BOWHUNTER and my BOWHUNTING season starts September 1st but thanks to the WDFW i won't be allowed to hunt grouse on my ARCHERY opener this year. So do i move my ARCHERY deer hunt back 2 weeks and join the GUN season ??? :bash: or do i drive 7hrs just to hunt grouse. Don't think so. I agree this is great for the broods to disperse but cmon give us bowhunters a fair shake we need our own season with no guns out there in the woods. Which is SEPT.!st. Sure i've killed my share of grouse with my trusty ruger 10/22 but that's after i hunt them with the bow for 2 days and the gun hunters get them stirred up. And yes i will attend any and all meetings concerning this matter not that it will matter. So this year come SEPT 1st I WILL be bowhunting for deer as i have for over 40 years and i guess just throwing rocks at grouse so at that point is it HUNTING or survival LOL I will abide by the rules this year and hope it goes back. SORRY :sry: rant over and pretty bummed that i won't be able to put some stalks on grouse for the first time in 40 years this year :'(Glass half full/half empty........
I would think some bow hunters be glad they have 15 days before everybody is out full force.
I guess it sucks if your 100% positive you will harvest a deer before Sept 15 and didn't get to hunt grouse.
Post by: WSU on August 06, 2021, 01:21:10 PM
Post by: BLDtraLR on August 06, 2021, 03:25:38 PM
Oh yes i'm super happy about the fact that they won't be out until the 15th but really do you think they really will ? And it's just one step closer to a TRUE ARCHERY SEASON except for the bear hunters with guns they will still be out there. And yes i do and have always got my deer in the first week otherwise it's Nov 15th for me.I'm going to rant a little on this. :bash: :bash: I'm not going to be on the board for grouse this year nor be able to enjoy one of my favorite september meals brown sugar bacon grouse because i am a BOWHUNTER and my BOWHUNTING season starts September 1st but thanks to the WDFW i won't be allowed to hunt grouse on my ARCHERY opener this year. So do i move my ARCHERY deer hunt back 2 weeks and join the GUN season ??? :bash: or do i drive 7hrs just to hunt grouse. Don't think so. I agree this is great for the broods to disperse but cmon give us bowhunters a fair shake we need our own season with no guns out there in the woods. Which is SEPT.!st. Sure i've killed my share of grouse with my trusty ruger 10/22 but that's after i hunt them with the bow for 2 days and the gun hunters get them stirred up. And yes i will attend any and all meetings concerning this matter not that it will matter. So this year come SEPT 1st I WILL be bowhunting for deer as i have for over 40 years and i guess just throwing rocks at grouse so at that point is it HUNTING or survival LOL I will abide by the rules this year and hope it goes back. SORRY :sry: rant over and pretty bummed that i won't be able to put some stalks on grouse for the first time in 40 years this year :'(Glass half full/half empty........
I would think some bow hunters be glad they have 15 days before everybody is out full force.
I guess it sucks if your 100% positive you will harvest a deer before Sept 15 and didn't get to hunt grouse.
Post by: Platensek-po on August 06, 2021, 03:37:01 PM
I gotta say I'm bummed. I had big plans to take a couple brand new hunters camping and grouse hunting for the long weekend. It would have been a great first hunt.I think that’s the worst part about this. The long weekend that was the opener. Hopefully you guys can get out after the 15th!!!
Post by: Dave Workman on August 06, 2021, 04:38:31 PM
QuoteThey also bumped the end date back to Jan 15th didn’t they?
Beats the heck out of me. You've practically got be a hacker to find this information. I'd bet money 9 out 10 average Joes couldn't find this information on the WDFW website in 10 minutes or less.
Yes, I've long suspected the game regulations were written so more people could be cited than to just tell them the rules.
Post by: Dave Workman on August 06, 2021, 04:43:25 PM
A couple years ago.
Killed 'em with a hatchet, eh? :chuckle:
Post by: BLH69 on August 06, 2021, 05:41:35 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on August 06, 2021, 05:49:56 PM
A couple years ago.
Killed 'em with a hatchet, eh? :chuckle:
Well you know.🤣
Post by: Threewolves on August 11, 2021, 02:21:05 PM
It is not about protecting brood hens with chicks like it says in the regulations. If that was a fact, they would have done this last year or five or ten years ago or heck back in 88 when I started hunting here. Seems like if that was a fact they would have been shot out a couple of years after I started hunting here. Protect the brood hens my eye. All of a sudden in 2021 they decide to change it, why now? How in the heck did the grouse make it till now? Seems like they would have been hunted off the face of the earth over the past 30 years. So, here we are.
1. It doesn't have anything to do with you guys it is just me, they just want to aggravate the hell out of me!
2. They just want to do away with another tradition. Just like tearing down statues.
3. Its that mid level manager that is always changing crap, can't leave well enough alone, you see them at Walmart always moving things around or maybe you have worked for one of them. One of their big things is changing the word "Happy" to "Glad".
4. Maybe it is true, maybe the grouse hunters are messing with the archery deer hunters or maybe someone is just trying to get these two groups mad at each other, you know "us against them."
5. Maybe they just want me to do more fishing before elk season, maybe that's it. Create more strife on the rivers!
6. A lot of folks didn't even know the dates changed, Johnny ticket writer is going to be really busy.
7. They figured out that I truly do not like change, which leads us back to point # 1.
I am not a glass half full or have empty kind of guy, I am the guy who is glad he has a glass. At least we did not lose grouse hunting by popular vote like baiting for bears, hound hunting for bears, cougars and bobcats or get trapping all jacked up to where traditional traps can't be used. What ever happed to think about the "children", getting to take the kids out hunting before the school season started back up, Oh! was that a tradition?
You guys take care, sound like my glass is half empty, I hope this is a good change.
Post by: Dave Workman on August 24, 2021, 05:02:09 PM
I'd like to get up to Okanogan this year, and if time allows—and gas doesn't cost a fortune—up to the Little Pend Oreille Lakes game range. There have always been grouse up there.
Might even break out the 12-gauge this year. Been hunting with a 20- for the past few seasons.
Post by: BLDtraLR on September 05, 2021, 09:28:42 AM
2 grouse hunters with at least 2 shot didn't even know or care of the new date The WDFW REALLY SUKS :twocents: :twocents: :bash:
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 05, 2021, 10:15:01 AM
Post by: RobinHoodlum on September 05, 2021, 02:29:30 PM
Hope there aren't too folks out whacking em because they don't know or care.
Regardless, please remember to put those wings and tails in the DFW collection barrels, so they can use the data to cut the season even further!
Post by: WildBear on September 05, 2021, 03:14:58 PM
Post by: Lady Grouse hunter on September 05, 2021, 05:14:29 PM
Post by: sagerat on September 05, 2021, 06:08:45 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 05, 2021, 06:22:22 PM
Is that Ash on the road & brush????Could be dust. Many of my areas look like that until it starts raining. Log trucks can create some big dust clouds.
Post by: Remnar on September 05, 2021, 06:57:14 PM
Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Colorado all open September 1. Idaho opens August 30. Thanks WDFW for screwing us out of opportunity once again. It’s an absolute joke.Comparing apples to oranges IMHOP.
Post by: AL WORRELLS KID on September 05, 2021, 08:10:19 PM
Quote
Dave Workman
Where were you? Nicely done.. :tup: :tup: :tup:
Quotephildobaggins
"Special spot my buddy and I have gone for the opener the last 4 years in a row and never seen another hunter." :chuckle: :brew:
So, you're the Guys that frequent our "Secret Grouse Grounds"! :yike:
I can't tell you how tempting it has been as you both walk by on the trail leading in, not to stick my foot out and holler "BOO"! (I love my Camo's.)
(When it looks like there's no other Hunters around, don't trip.) :chuckle: ;) :rolleyes:
Post by: brew on September 05, 2021, 09:51:50 PM
Post by: tritt007 on September 05, 2021, 11:07:16 PM
Post by: mcrawfordaf on September 20, 2021, 09:14:36 AM
Post by: hunter399 on September 20, 2021, 09:26:37 AM
But I really like the new dates for grouse season.
I have seen 10x more grouse already this year without the labor day massacre.
Next year might be the best grouse year ever.
But in my defense ,I just let the youths in our family take a whack at them.
When I'm by myself ,I just drive up slowly and kinda push them off the road ,for another day.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on September 20, 2021, 09:46:09 AM