Why cant i shoot a grouse?!

[Flyfishin22]

Went up to the snoqualmie pass area today, hiking and driving looking for grouse from 11 am to 7:45, and saw nothing! I know the morning is supposed to be best, but I was still there for almost 9 hours. Ive only been out looking a few times in my life, but I keep hearing how easy grouse are to get and I'm wondering if I'm just incompetent lol.

[DaveMonti]

I see a lot of blues and ruffed grouse along the roads in clearcuts down lower than the pass, especially where the roads enter into the woods and near water.  I have no idea how many are up high, but there are plenty down low on the West side!

[Fl0und3rz]

Try still hunting deer or elk and they'll find you, when you least expect it.

[Flyfishin22]

dang maybe I drove too far.. Are you talking about like the tinkham road area?

[Flyfishin22]

I see a lot of blues and ruffed grouse along the roads in clearcuts down lower than the pass, especially where the roads enter into the woods and near water.  I have no idea how many are up high, but there are plenty down low on the West side!

[ghosthunter]

The grouse I have been seeing. Are about 2500 to 3000 ft.
Near water source.
And I am been seeing most the last hour of light which surprises me.

[DaveMonti]

I'm actually in the Skykomish valley, not the Snoqualmie.  I'm not sure were you can hunt clear cuts in the Snoqualmie Valley without a timber company permit. 
I've not hunted them in timbered areas.  I'm sure they are around there, and I'd guess closer to creeks.  Perhaps some others will be able to point you where to go on some public land off of I90. 

[Flyfishin22]

The grouse I have been seeing. Are about 2500 to 3000 ft.
Near water source.
And I am been seeing most the last hour of light which surprises me.

Are you on the wetside?

[Flyfishin22]

I'm actually in the Skykomish valley, not the Snoqualmie.  I'm not sure were you can hunt clear cuts in the Snoqualmie Valley without a timber company permit. 
I've not hunted them in timbered areas.  I'm sure they are around there, and I'd guess closer to creeks.  Perhaps some others will be able to point you where to go on some public land off of I90.

Oh okay gotcha. Thanks for the reply

[JimmyHoffa]

I think the timing is kind of key, vast majority I see are really early in the morning.  Then they start to go to shade and water as the day warms up.  When it is cool and cloudy I'll see them all day, or if cold and cloudy or clear all day too.

[Big game archer]

Find creek bottoms with snowberries, service berries, choke cherries, etc. Also, Aspen and alder trees are good to look for. The key right now in my areas is finding water.

[Flyfishin22]

I think the timing is kind of key, vast majority I see are really early in the morning.  Then they start to go to shade and water as the day warms up.  When it is cool and cloudy I'll see them all day, or if cold and cloudy or clear all day too.

How early in the morning would you start hunting for grouse?

[Flyfishin22]

Find creek bottoms with snowberries, service berries, choke cherries, etc. Also, Aspen and alder trees are good to look for. The key right now in my areas is finding water.

So would you just drive logging roads until you get to a stream with berries on the bank, then poke around by the stream?

[JimmyHoffa]

I think the timing is kind of key, vast majority I see are really early in the morning.  Then they start to go to shade and water as the day warms up.  When it is cool and cloudy I'll see them all day, or if cold and cloudy or clear all day too.

How early in the morning would you start hunting for grouse?

as early as possible, legal shooting time.  They're hungry in the morning wanting the get food and water after not moving all night.

[Flyfishin22]

Great, thanks for the advice