grouse and pheasant adventures

[Roper]

The Mrs. and I headed up to Oroville to get away for our anniversary last Thursday. The plan was to lay low, do a little hunting, some work around the house, and dinner for two on Friday night at Hometown Pizza.

First order of business was to check on my trail camera that was "soaking" for three weeks. Well, some low life scumbag decided he needed it more than me. *censored*s...! So I consoled myself by heading into an area I know to hold grouse. Sure enough, I was presented with 3 ruffed grouse on their daily wanderings. One took off for the right hand hillside, one straight away down the road, and the last one in between them. That's the one I dropped. Never mind thinking fast enough to pick up two of them...

Saturday morning Sasha and I headed to the valley to look for pheasant. I got my vest on and geared up while Sasha burned off some energy running around like a wild girl. Once we got to the field we took our usual right hand turn towards cover that usually holds birds. Sure enough two hens burst from the brush and headed over the railroad tracks. Sasha was in hot pursuit through the barbed wire after them. It wouldn't be until much later in the day that I would discover she ripped a quarter sized hole in her skin dead center on her chest. She's a trooper and kept hunting for another 2 hours with that hole exposed to grass well over her head. After a lot of beating the brush she finally bumped up two roosters near the river from tall grass and brush. Both birds were at the edge of my range, but I tried with two shots for the trailing bird. I/C and Mod chokes couldn't deliver the payload needed at that range. Next time I'll choke the gun Mod and Full to reach out a bit more.

Sunday morning arrived too soon and cold to boot, 24 degrees at 6:00 AM as we headed home. We had to be home for a grandson's 4th birthday party. It's always a shock to go from forest to Everett in just a few hours. Though I love our house in Everett, I long for the quiet and wilds of the property. We had a large male coyote cross the yard early one morning as we ate breakfast. He had his winter coat on already and looked as if he had been eating very well. Soon I will retire and time spent there will be more frequent and longer visits.

Here's a few photos:

Grouse tail fan


Woodland camouflage


Blue grouse territory


Forest troll


Grouse breast with bell pepper, onion, and chipotle pepper

[Stilly bay]

thanks Roper! great original pics.
that was like a shot of vitamin B for me... I have been wanting to get after some grouse with the dogs this year but life keeps getting in the way. once the deer hunters leave the woods and some leaves fall I will get out there.

your lucky to have a base in oroville, great grousing nearby as you well know.

[madcow41]

how high up are you for blues? I only run into ruffled grouse in colville?

[Roper]

MC41, the house is at roughly 2800 feet, so where I'm hunting has got to be closer to 4000. But I've taken blues not far above the house. Granted, the higher elevations hold more. It's more about terrain and food sources. Rocky knobs like the one in the photo can usually hold blues in and around them.

Good luck hunting...

[Heartsblood]

Hey Roper -

Glad to see you are posting again - I've always enjoyed them. When I first joined the forum, I read this entire board start to finish to learn what I could about grouse hunting. Yours have been among my favorites.
I seem to remember some that you took on back road, motorcycle grouse hunting trips? Those stuck with me. Good stuff!

Are you still active with RGS? I seem to have wandered off - it's been a coupla years now.

[Roper]

Heartsblood, Thanks for the kind comments. Yes, I do take my trail bike on trips to the woods, shotgun slung over my shoulder. The locals don't seem too fazed by it, that's a good thing. These days, I mostly "hunt with poodles".  RGS has taken a back step for me too, it's been 2 years since I've worked habitat with them. Friends of mine will be joining me for some waterfowl action soon. Have you tried that...?

Regards, Roper

[Heartsblood]

Roper, yeah I have gotten into duck hunting a bit. I don't have a dog so it can be a bit limiting. Last season I had a sneak boat and that opened up more area to me. Does your poodle waterfowl too? I don't know much about hunting dogs. I have only hunted over them when I've been with friends or RGs field days. I think when (if) I retire I'd like to get a good hunting dog that works for both ducks and grouse. That's a ways away tho'.

I did some habitat work with RGS a few years back in the Sinlahekin, installing and fixing guzzlers. It was hard work but I have good memories of doing it.

I live in Everett too and have some property up in Tonasket. I've found some good grouse spots up there as a result of monthly trips. We sold the 5th wheel and so don't get up there much anymore. Sadly.

Keep posting those pics! Some great shots in there!