Where are the Grouse?

mwj2011 said:
I've come across quite a few this year, but they haven't been their typical "Sure I'll stand on the road and let you shoot at me a dozen times". They see you and take off. It's really odd.
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Cause they are used to being hunted (by people or other prey), so they are more likely to take off quicker. Had one last weekend that you couldn't get within shotgun range of it before it took off.
 
mwj2011 said:
I've come across quite a few this year, but they haven't been their typical "Sure I'll stand on the road and let you shoot at me a dozen times". They see you and take off. It's really odd.
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Agreed. They were like this last year in my area as well. Only one of the 5 birds that I have got this year was standing still when I shot it. Two others were on the run and two were flying. I've had to be very quick in order to get them, and have missed several other chances. That's where my 18 1/2" barrel and wide open choke come in handy. The shorter range doesn't bother me because I normally hunt in thicker bush anyway.

But as far as numbers go, I've had plenty of encounters, at least a dozen the first morning I was out, but man are they ever flighty.

I think you need to actually get into the woods this year in order to see them. I've only seen a few on roads.
 
Slackbunny said:
Agreed. They were like this last year in my area as well. Only one of the 5 birds that I have got this year was standing still when I shot it. Two others were on the run and two were flying. I've had to be very quick in order to get them, and have missed several other chances. That's where my 18 1/2" barrel and wide open choke come in handy. The shorter range doesn't bother me because I normally hunt in thicker bush anyway.

But as far as numbers go, I've had plenty of encounters, at least a dozen the first morning I was out, but man are they ever flighty.

I think you need to actually get into the woods this year in order to see them. I've only seen a few on roads.
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Well said, & I've had almost an identical experience to you.

My Dad always used to say 'their not out of the woods yet' ..... which basically translates to 'it hasn't been cold enough to get them moving around & feeding & as a result - they don't have to venture as far from their roosting grounds to get their calorie quota.' So yes, you might have to go in & knock on their bedroom door.

No killing frost has been a problem as well in Southern NB. Last year many hens had double clutches .... don't see an indication of that this year though.
 
Went for a drive after work today and saw 4 grouse on the roads (1 Blue and 3 Ruffed).

I let 3 go :D and took home a big mature male Ruffed. I could have had the Blue but I didn't want to try and get shot through some branches so I scared him into 2 different trees.
 
Slackbunny said:
Agreed. They were like this last year in my area as well. Only one of the 5 birds that I have got this year was standing still when I shot it. Two others were on the run and two were flying. I've had to be very quick in order to get them, and have missed several other chances. That's where my 18 1/2" barrel and wide open choke come in handy. The shorter range doesn't bother me because I normally hunt in thicker bush anyway.

But as far as numbers go, I've had plenty of encounters, at least a dozen the first morning I was out, but man are they ever flighty.

I think you need to actually get into the woods this year in order to see them. I've only seen a few on roads.
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Most of the grouse I got this year were on undrivable trails and they were up in the trees half of the time.

The ones at the side of the road usually took off by the time I got the .410 out so yeah, they're pretty flighty this year.
 
Was muzzleloading yesterday in south east Manitoba (GHA 35) and only saw a few grouse. Usually see more. I know they go in four year cycles and don't do well with wet spring weather which we had in the Interlake.
 
There were a ton in NWO while I hunting this past week, didnt' shoot half I seen since I was more concerned about Deer, Ill bring a .22 next time. Had a good season here in the Northeast also.
 
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