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Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: Glockster on December 12, 2011, 10:44:46 AM


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Title: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Glockster on December 12, 2011, 10:44:46 AM
Anyone ever hunt grouse in December?  I'm always into ducks that time of year, but it's open until 12/31. 
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 12, 2011, 11:15:29 AM
I have in the past.  When there are fewer leaves on trees they can see you better so your shot might be a little longer.  Also, there is usually a better chance of rain to cover your sound.  I'm thinking of going soon, for some reason I'm seeing a lot more this year than in years past.
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Glockster on December 12, 2011, 11:42:58 AM
Longer shots....good point!  I'm thinking to head to the eastside so won't have to deal with the rain...only snow. 
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 12, 2011, 12:18:43 PM
I used to go all the time when I had my shorthair ....its fun ...just find alder thickets ....plus the leaves are off now so you can actually see them to throw some lead at them  :chuckle: :tup:
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Wapiti7 on December 12, 2011, 12:44:44 PM
I have also seen way more grouse this year than in the past and a good portion of that has been just over the past two weeks during late muzzie. Good luck to you!
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Glockster on December 12, 2011, 02:05:27 PM
I would love to hunt grouse with a real grouse dog some day.  Maybe snow might make it easier until then. 
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Stilly bay on December 12, 2011, 05:09:07 PM
I just did some winter grousing this morning, I heard more flushes than I saw. I should have brought some Spred-R loads with me, since the only bird I shot was Mid-air-mince-meat. my lab pup who is always a good sport brought me the bird, but he didn't look too thrilled about it :chuckle:

I think that the west side has the east beat for once, I would much rather chase grouse over here at this time of the season.
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on December 12, 2011, 05:17:32 PM
Grouse are very skidish once the leaves and natural cover they hide in has fallen or blown away. A scoped rimfire rifle, binoculars with you on the trail will bring best chances of success.

-Steve
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: MikeWalking on December 12, 2011, 05:19:08 PM
The Boss seems to keep finding ways to F'up my time off but I want to get out before the end of the month.  Haven't had a real day off in a couple weeks, wondering what the snow line is on the West side...
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: BB on December 13, 2011, 08:51:23 PM
Do grouse usually stay/move below the snow line?
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: bobcat on December 13, 2011, 08:58:01 PM
Blue grouse are odd, probably the only bird or animal for that matter that migrates up in elevation for winter. I remember many years ago when there used to be a late muzzleloader season in the Alta unit, we were hiking in the snow on Sawtooth Ridge, and flushed about 100 blue grouse that were sitting in just a couple of trees. I was sure wishing for a shotgun at that moment instead of the muzzleloader.

Ruffed grouse I'm not sure but I think they stay below the snow.

Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on December 13, 2011, 09:51:49 PM
I've seen Ruffed 'around' the snow line. Seldem above it.  But Blues.. Yeah, well above.

Years ago a few of us hiked up Bear hunting and got some 18" of snow on us that night. Next morning saw the biggest fluffy Blues we'd ever seen but didn't take a shot. (stupid!)

Other times, I've seen Blues when snow shoeing.

-Steve
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Wapiti7 on December 18, 2011, 08:22:57 AM
I live in Western WA and am in the woods pretty much year round. I don't think I can ever recall seeing a ruffed grouse above the snowline over the years. This website is kind of neat, so I thought I would share it: http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/ruffed_grouse
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Recurve-Elk on December 18, 2011, 07:07:32 PM
I was hunting them up through November.  Saw a bunch and managed to get one.  Listen for their drumming. 
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Glockster on December 19, 2011, 10:00:33 AM
I did't know they drum in the winter.  Kewl!
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Stilly bay on December 19, 2011, 07:46:13 PM
I did't know they drum in the winter.  Kewl!

I hunted some thick reprod one winter about five years ago that was loaded with grouse and they were all in a drumming rampage. there had to be five at the very least, maybe as many as a dozen or more in there. as soon as one would stop another would answer. THudiddididdiddddddddd THudididididdddddddd thudiddddddddddddd- and it all went on for a good 20 minutes. if I didn't know what a grouse drum sounded like I would of thought that I was having some kind of heart or inner ear problem.

seems like the only reason I buy turkey tag anymore is to scout grouse spots and listen to drumming.
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: GoPlayOutside on December 19, 2011, 09:07:43 PM
(http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss142/GoPlayOutside/IMAG0931.jpg)
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Glockster on December 20, 2011, 09:02:14 AM
Nice winter grouse!!  iS that a spruce grouse??
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Heartsblood on December 20, 2011, 09:11:58 AM
I did't know they drum in the winter.  Kewl!
I discovered that they drum post spring this past November . Obviously it's a great advantage to be able to find 'em when they're noisy...  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Phantom Gobbler on December 20, 2011, 04:17:55 PM
Late season Ruff from NE WA.  Bry picked up another one that day to make it a brace.  They were sitting really tight in the small conifers.
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: ing on December 22, 2011, 10:20:42 AM
Here is a big blue that I shot in Nov. well above the snow line.
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Heartsblood on December 22, 2011, 12:43:29 PM
Great set of pictures fellas!
Title: Re: Winter grouse hunting
Post by: Kain on December 24, 2011, 03:08:54 PM
Man the grouse were loving the sun today.  I spooked 5 of them in about a 1 mile stretch of road.  Had the bow and never had a shot opportunity but it was nice seeing some.
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