Grouse in Ontario - what can you use?

phronq

phronq

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Going to be going for hunter's ed this year and was thinking about grouse... I was looking through all of the Ontario MNR publications and they specify what you can shoot larger game with, but I didn't see what you're allowed to use on grouse.

Is it shotgun only?
 
It says no pheasant with a rifle... doesn't say anything about grouse though... unless I'm blind (entirely possible).
 
Grouse(usually in pairs) have a habit of sitting still until you nearly step on them. Then they thunder off in two directions at about Mach 2. Unless you see them strolling around, you'll want a shotgun. A 20" 20 or 12 guage with an IC choke.
 
Grouse are shot on the wing, preferably with a nice double. There's no sport in ground-sluicing.
 
in southern ont. you can use any shot gun or a rifle of under .275 cal.
In northern ont. I don't believe there are any restrictions as to caliber.
 
looch said:
Grouse are shot on the wing, preferably with a nice double. There's no sport in ground-sluicing.
Click to expand...

I don't quite feel this way. Hunting grouse with a .22 is in my mind great sport. Sure you'll occasionally spot one on the ground when hunting by any method - but limiting yourself to only those that you can spot is a real challenge.

Providing I'm in an area where it is acceptable (i.e. when in Rome...) I do shoot them on the ground with a shotgun, when the chance presents itself. There may be no sport in it, but there sure if food!

Or you can try with a bow!


RG

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Congrats on taking up the sport of hunting!

I was in your exact same shoes when it came to passing my hunters course along with my CFS course.

I really like my Remington 870. It is a 12 gauge with a 28" barrel with a mod choke "which can be changed out for any other choke you prefer" I find that this suits me very well. And I can drop grouse with ease.

If, after you want a challenge. Get yourself a .22. I like the Marlin Mod 60 semi-auto. Very accurate, cheap to buy and very reliable.

Good luck with the course!
 
jackenape:

I've been wondering about those. Are they expensive? I find that an arrow shot at a grouse is generally ruined, and I wouldn't think that such a wide and probably expensive broadhead could survive.

It sure helps to behead them though:
Ruffed_Grouse


That's my first attempt to post a photo. Hope it works. Note that the date on my camera was screwed up - this one was killed during the legal season.

RG

<><
 
I think the heads were 30 bux US for 3. They are modular, so to speak, since you have to assemble the heads yourself. You get 12 blades in the pack. I haven't used them yet, but they look decent. If your handy, you can resharpen those blades if you need to. Hopefully they will take a few skids in the gravel before breaking.

In the literature, it says they have the same trajectory as regular field points, so you can use them for practice (the Guillotines are 100 grain, also available in 125 grain) so you don't wreck your pricey blades.

To get the pic to show in the post, click on the little yellow icon above the reply box with the mountain on it, and it will pop up a box so you can then paste the link to your pic, like so:

IM000758.jpg


Also, resize your pictures to 800x600 so that they fit nicely on most peoples monitor displays (no scrolling left and right to read the post or see the full pic) ;)
 
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Get yourself a nice, light repeater. If you'll be grouse hunting, you'll be doing lots of walking. You want a light gun that eats light shells. Successful grouse hunting often requires a second shot. The gun made for the job is a SxS in 28, 20, or 16 gauge. But, a pump or an autoloader in those gauges will do nicely, as well.
 
I use my Savage 20 ga O/U or my Zabala 410 SXS but when I'm just walking around the lot taking out some pesky squirrels or a porcupine thats been skirting my maples I'll take the odd grouse with my 22 bolt.
 
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