2022 Grouse Harvest

[jackelope]

I shot 3 yesterday, all with the 20 gauge. 2 ruffs and a spruce grouse. Zero’d for today and heading home. Great fun weekend of grouse hunting. We killed 7 all together. 4 ruff’s 2 blues and the spruce I shot.

[Bob33]

Nice job.

[UplandSetter]

Not an avid grouse guy but will shoot them if they are presented while I'm hunting deer and elk. I seen probably 10-15 so far this year. I decided not harvest because I was focused on elk. I see some of you guys using dogs I have a 12  month old half golden half yellow lab that is super driven. I have thought about duck hunting but I don't care for the taste of it. Where would one get started in flushing grouse with a dog?

If I were you I'd take the dog to the places you see the grouse in the past if that's feasible. I like beating brush for them but you find them just as often, if not more often, gritting on the roads. So if you've got a flushing dog I would just run the dog on some of the gated roads where you've seen grouse. Hopefully they get birdy and flush them up for you.

[high_hunter]

Went out yesterday morning with the older dog and picked up 2 small roughs with 2 shots.  Was hoping to take the younger one out but she's in the middle of her 2nd heat; maybe by next weekend as she's super interested in them.

Ended up getting into 9 total but they were all separate and cover was THICK.  First time out this year and no conveys; maybe the later season start is having the intended effect of limiting take on brood hens with young.   

Hunting the west side but was down low near river bottoms and creek drainage.  I'd heard numbers were down but didn't seem to have a problem.   It's an area I know.to hold birds because of good feed but maybe the water is concentrating them further?? Thoughts?

Also no berries but lots of greens and seeds in their crops.  Does anyone know what these seeds are? otherwise I'll look to match them up next time out.

-Hh

[Searuns9]

Nice picture shots everyone. Thank you for sharing. I'll be heading out for my first time ever in a few days! Seriously motivated.

[hunter399]

One of the boys a few days ago.
Still no shots fired for me.
Let him put a few down first.
I let the kids kill them ,get a kick out of watching them.

[mcrawfordaf]

It took a couple outings. First time out all the birds were up high in the timber and the pup had no idea he was flushing em. Today we got them in the creek bottom. His first point flush and retrieve at 14 months old. I’m pretty pleased.

[TeacherMan]

Pretty bad year in Idaho for birds.

[Naches Sportsman]

Pretty bad year in Idaho for birds.

It all depends on where you are. Outstanding year for grouse in Clearwater County and saw about 100 working the last 2 weeks in Bonner County.

[Southpole]

I’ve spent more time this year, in traditionally good grouse ground, than any other time in my life and literally have only seen 3 little rough grouse. I don’t think I even want to shoot one if they’re that sparse.

[UplandSetter]

Moved 4 grouse on Saturday along with a quail covey. Was focusing on dog training so shooting always becomes secondary when hunting alone. All in about 2 hours out. It was HOT!

[high_hunter]

Same for me Saturday morning, got into 4 roughs across two coveys.  Had both dogs out and working the new pup but my FIL was able to get one of them.  Thought about heading higher foe some blues but was warming up fast so called it quits around 11. 

[bobcat]

"Ruffed grouse "

[Southpole]

"Ruffed grouse "

     

[Phil Fravel]

Well I started looking for Grouse last year.  I Had many outing with no success.  This year on my second outing I got my first bird.  Would of like to shared a pic but the Por thing looked gorila le by the time it died.  It hit the ground and ran under a fir tree. When I went to grab it thinking it was dead it ran off again leaving me with a hand full of tail feathers. At that point I found it Inter the next furn. I grabbed it’s body and rung it’s neck.   At that time the body flew off leaving me with the head in my hand.  These birds are delicate compared to the Pheasant I’m use to hunting. Any way.  I was thrilled to get my first bird. 

Went out again today. And flushed 2 Rough withbut did not get a shot off.   They seem to be fairly clumsy birds when on tree limbs.   

Well the learning curve continues.

Photo below is a pic of the first Grouse I have ever seen.   Just so happens a cougar also had spotted it.   To make a long story short the grouse survived both predators