Where did the grouse go?

[Hangfire]

The biggest impact we had on our grouse in eastern Washington is the rains the first of June. The past few years have been abnormally wet. I have hunted grouse a lot since I was 11 years old, 60 years of grouse hunting. I have been hunting grouse with a springer since the early 80's. The highs and lows of grouse populations are strongly correlated with the spring rains. The chicks can not handle being wet. During the early 80's I kept track for a few years and I averaged over 20 birds flushed a hour for the entire season. We had very dry springs and lots of grass hoppers in those summers.  The numbers of turkey and pheasant young has also taken a hit the last few years. I have a couple of spots in Ferry county where there is optimum habitat. I drew a complet blank in both spots this last year.

[bear hunter]

In Ferry county I have seen the numbers drop to. The wet springs have been killing off the young birds. The turkeys have suffered to I didn't even see one in the woods during muzzleloader season. We did all right on the grouse,but it took a lot of walking and driving the roads to find them. I missed a lot,because i was using a muzzle 12g for the fun of it. We averaged to bag 4 to 5 a day not to bad. The dog flushed lots but you know how hard they are to hit in the thickets. 

[Hangfire]

I think the most pleasure I have had bird hunting was one of my spots in Ferry county with a long dead Springer. I would hunt with my CVA double barrel 12 ga.muzzleloader. I like to walk old grown up roads. The birds like the berries that grow along the edge. So often when flushed they fly from the shoulder of the road or just a few feet in the woods. They fly down the road a short distance before going right or left. That time going down the road gives a great shot. When we got to the ridge top we would go out on the south face for Blues. I don't think I ever lost a bird with that dog. She found some that I thought I had missed. The last trip up there with my current springer I saw one blue and no ruffed. I have had my wife drop me off and she would road hunt a mile or two. I would follow behind with the dog. I have limited when she did not see a bird. The year that the limit went to four birds I had my limit in 10 minutes and could have shot 40. We have had wet springs ever since.

[bear hunter]

I think the most pleasure I have had bird hunting was one of my spots in Ferry county with a long dead Springer. I would hunt with my CVA double barrel 12 ga.muzzleloader. I like to walk old grown up roads. The birds like the berries that grow along the edge. So often when flushed they fly from the shoulder of the road or just a few feet in the woods. They fly down the road a short distance before going right or left. That time going down the road gives a great shot. When we got to the ridge top we would go out on the south face for Blues. I don't think I ever lost a bird with that dog. She found some that I thought I had missed. The last trip up there with my current springer I saw one blue and no ruffed. I have had my wife drop me off and she would road hunt a mile or two. I would follow behind with the dog. I have limited when she did not see a bird. The year that the limit went to four birds I had my limit in 10 minutes and could have shot 40. We have had wet springs ever since.

  I love to hunt with my CVA 12 SXS to. Last year was my first year using it. I also use it for deer. Nice to see people that like the muzzle shotguns.

[Hangfire]

Try turkey hunting with the muzzle loading shot gun. It really adds to the sport. My first turkey was with the CVA. Most since then have been with a 12 ga. flint I built.

[bear hunter]

I Will this year. I have two knight TK2000. 1 with a thumb hole stock and I just picked up a straight shock one for 200.00 new. I will try it this year for turkey. I  got drawn for huckleberry unit for bear. I don't know if there is turkey in 121 unit I will see.

[Hangfire]

There are a lot of turkeys in 121. If we have a good spring there will be grouse in some areas. Get a land status map, priviate and public land. This unit has a lot: upland birds, deer, bear, moose and now wolves.

[bear hunter]

There are a lot of turkeys in 121. If we have a good spring there will be grouse in some areas. Get a land status map, priviate and public land. This unit has a lot: upland birds, deer, bear, moose and now wolves.

Where do you pickup a land status map?

[Hangfire]

I use DNR maps and Colville national forest maps mostly. They show state and federal land. The east half is on the Chewelah DNR map. The west half of unit on a different map. I don't know the name.

[cardboard slayer]

Found 2 in my crock pot last fall

[Fishaholic]

Found 2 in my crock pot last fall

did you make grouse noodle soup? lol

[RifleRidge]

Found 2 in my crock pot last fall

    

[RifleRidge]

Found 2 in my crock pot last fall

    

I would love to get the recipe for Crock Pot Grouse... Please play that forward... Thank you...

[cardboard slayer]

Just Putim in whole with chicken broth and veggies and noddles after 3 hours pull the bird out and strip the meat off mix back in pot eat in 5 hours