Where have all the Grouse gone?

northwoodslivin

northwoodslivin

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A week ago we got some snow. Have about 5-6 inches in places. Well the last few times I have been out for bush chickens I can't find ZERO.

Where are they? They arn't up in the trees, can't see any tracks, notta nothin..

This is only my second year grouse hunting "much much better year this year!" but I am just curious as to where the little buggers are hiding right now?

Back last year when they were out of season in jan-feb I would see lots way up in the bare trees just roosting. But now I can't find any traces of them anywhere.

What do they do this time of year when all the gravel roads are covered in snow and there is snow on the ground?

Do I kick fallen trees to try and spook em out? where art thou? lol

Thanks for any tips.
PS
I am up in Northeastern Ontario.
 
They flew south for the winter into my bush :):):):):)


Thanks again. :) I've seen and shot more this year than I have any other year in the past... This is just north of Fenelon falls, and south of Haliburton
 
We've had quite a good snowfall the past few days here too in eastern Manitoba. Yesterday I went out and nailed 2 ruffies but I really had to work for them. I mean really slow down my pace. Take a few steps, stop for a few seconds, take a few more steps; almost like still hunting deer. 1 bird popped right out of the bush infront of me and the second bird got nervous while I paused and took off. I think the best thing to do is find real heavy cover and take it slow going through there. Don't forget to look up in the trees, they just might be looking down at you!!!!
 
ruffbird said:
I'm in NE ontario as well & they are scarce! 4 is my total so far. last year was much better. seems to be a very poor year.....

oh well fox season goes till the end of feb.....
Click to expand...

I have 13 total this year for myself, better then last year.

And I was also thinking about the frost that we got in the spring that killed many berries up here among other things. That could have something to do with em?

I just wanted to know where the heck their hiding this time of year. I do look up in the trees, walk very slowly and pause often to see if I can hear them walking around etc.

It's like .... a ruffed grouse rapture or something lol.... they just.... well... disappeared :confused:

Maybe I shot them all out of the area I usually hunt ?

In the winter time, where are they usually chillin out? under fallen trees? bushes?

Where do I look this time of year for them is what I am trying to ask. Someone said get a dog, I wish I could get a nice lab but my place is to small for one.

Someone else said their season closed on the 15th and saw em lookin at em in the maple trees LOL.. the lil buggerz did that to me last year, sitting in the birch trees in my backyard the DAY AFTER season closed "mind you, I never seen no grouse the last week of the 06 season lol" I think they are smart that way.

Ah well.. maybe I should just oil up the 12 gauge and put her away for next year..

Thanks for the advice fellas
 
Got a dozen in area 8 this year in 4 days of casual hunting plus saw lots more. But 2 years ago they were nowhere to be seen. you have to know the areas to hunt some are good others quite poor

Seems to be a combination of predators and wet spring weather. 2 years ago was very wet leading to poor hatch and survival rates.
 
THere is no rhyme or reason to the birds you see on a given day. Two weeks ago I got my limit by about half-time one day. I went out last Monday to the same spot, did a 16-miler around the exact same area & didn't lay eyes on a feather. Then went out to the same spot the day before yesterday, did a 12 miler, and put up 11 birds - connecting with 2.

Usually by about 10-11am you should know if the birds are 'out' or 'in' on that particular day and if they are not 'out' then you gotta change tactics & go 'in' to their roosting area, brambles, cedar swamp and do some real 'bird dog' work. And even then there is no guarantee that you won't get skunked - but that's the magic in hunting grouse - each day brings a totally different experience - good or bad.
 
Hi:
Grouse populations are very cyclical. They are affected by coyotes, fox, owls, humans, winters, diseases, competition, WET or COLD springs (during hatch are very hard on them), etc...

They usually go into a down turn for a few years before pulling back out of it. The populations are also regional, meaning BC could have lots, but Ont hardly any.

Not many here either - but when they are - nothing beats fresh grouse for dinner!!:D
 
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