collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Grouse hunting blue mountains?  (Read 3071 times)

Offline syoungs

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 2201
  • Location: tri cities, WA
Grouse hunting blue mountains?
« on: August 08, 2017, 09:58:12 AM »
Not looking for honey holes or anything, but I do want to do a couple trips to target grouse this fall. Normally I will end up getting a couple a year up bear hunting or camping, but I have never targeted them before.

how are the grouse numbers in the blue mountains? worth the drive from tri cities?
besides driving forest service roads and running across them, what tactics should I be using for them?

I was thinking, walk abandoned roads and hope I figure it out, if someone wants to give me a primer though, im all ears!

Thanks!

Offline DOUBLELUNG

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 5836
  • Location: Wenatchee
Re: Grouse hunting blue mountains?
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2017, 10:39:59 AM »
I cant tell you about the Blue Mountains specifically, but blue grouse start low in the fall and move progressively higher later in the season.  The trick is to find that first grouse, and then hunt along that elevation gradient.  Next trip out, use that point as your basement and hunt higher for that first grouse, then repeat.  Driving roads is a good way to find that first blue grouse.

Ruffeds are less migratory, and will generally be around deciduous hardwoods.  Riparian bottoms, aspen stands and shrub grasslands near water are all good bets. 
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline MHWASH

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2007
  • Posts: 1187
  • Location: Colfax
Re: Grouse hunting blue mountains?
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2017, 11:18:15 AM »
I'd say it's worth the drive even if you don't see a grouse. Plus you can look for bear.

The Blues are usually dry that time of year, and I expect this year will be the same. I'd target creek bottoms, but I've often found Blue grouse in the middle of dry clear cuts the last few years. Also target berry patches.

Offline Henrydog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2016
  • Posts: 1062
  • Location: Eastern Washington
  • Groups: NRA Life Member, RMEF, Phesants Forever
Re: Grouse hunting blue mountains?
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2017, 06:30:49 AM »
Find water, found grouse.  This is really true in the dry Blue Mnts

Offline csaaphill

  • Anti Hunters are weird animals.
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 9519
  • Hunting is non-negotiable it's what I do!
  • Groups: G.O.A., Rocky Mountain ELk Foundation
Re: Grouse hunting blue mountains?
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2017, 08:54:04 PM »
Not looking for honey holes or anything, but I do want to do a couple trips to target grouse this fall. Normally I will end up getting a couple a year up bear hunting or camping, but I have never targeted them before.

how are the grouse numbers in the blue mountains? worth the drive from tri cities?
besides driving forest service roads and running across them, what tactics should I be using for them?

I was thinking, walk abandoned roads and hope I figure it out, if someone wants to give me a primer though, im all ears!

Thanks!
I like the old logging road idea you mentioned, I've done it and can be very productive.
"When my bow falls, so shall the world. When me heart ceases to pump blood to my body, it will all come crashing down. As a hunter, we are bound by duty, nay, bound by our very soul to this world. When a hunter dies we feel it, we sense it, and the world trembles with sorrow. When I die, so shall the world, from the shock of loosing such a great part of ones soul." Ezekiel, Okeanos Hunter

Offline runamuk

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2008
  • Posts: 17878
Re: Grouse hunting blue mountains?
« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2017, 09:06:06 PM »
I have seen quite a few along the main road that I travel the last week or two.  I saw lots in spring but hadn't seen any for a couple months now.

Offline PlateauNDN

  • Y.A.R. Medicine Man
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 10691
  • Location: God's Country
  • R.I.P. Colockumelk 20130423. Semper Fi!
Re: Grouse hunting blue mountains?
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2017, 09:26:28 PM »
Obviously, BF ate them all since he "allegedly" ate all the deer/elk down there. Or so the BMM would like you to believe. :chuckle:

Syoungs,  :sry: for  :jacked:

Best of luck on the quails. :tup:
If you can read thank a teacher, If you can read in English thank a Marine! 
Not as Lean, Just as Mean, Still a Marine!
He who shed blood with me shall forever be my brother!

"Around this camp, there's only one Chief; the rest are Indians!"

"Give me 15 more minutes, I was dreaming of Beavers!"

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

10th Annual - 2024 YOUTH TURKEY HUNT CONTEST (enter by Mar 14) by bearpaw
[Yesterday at 11:27:12 PM]


World Record Archery Blacktail by huntnnw
[Yesterday at 10:09:06 PM]


Let’s see your best Washington bull by huntnnw
[Yesterday at 10:06:34 PM]


Fishing with kids in Wenatchee by HardCorpsHuntr
[Yesterday at 10:03:34 PM]


Let’s see your best Washington buck by jjhunter
[Yesterday at 09:12:44 PM]


Hunting Dog Memorial by ghosthunter
[Yesterday at 08:55:30 PM]


Pairs by Dan-o
[Yesterday at 08:15:34 PM]


Springer 2024 Columbia River by Blacklab
[Yesterday at 06:50:06 PM]


Holster for FNS 40C by bb76
[Yesterday at 06:37:56 PM]


Bangers and mash by elkrack
[Yesterday at 04:32:06 PM]


Wenatchee Hydro Park Fishing by Jake Dogfish
[Yesterday at 03:40:17 PM]


Owners of Ireland Farms Dogs by ASHQUACK
[Yesterday at 12:24:39 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by andersonjk4
[Yesterday at 09:23:28 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal