Help with grouse?
- Thread starter Shep546
- Start date
This is true... You can usually hear 'em land and run 10-20 feet and find cover..
I went grouse hunting yesterday... I saw three together on the 'travelled portion of the road' so I didn't do anything. I took is as a good sign for the day ahead though. Too bad I never saw another one, on the plus side, I got to see two Woodcock - both of which I missed. :/
I recommended #6's or #7 1/2's and a tighter choke (Mod or Light Mod), because initially it sounded like the grouse were flushing wild, and a long shot is aided by the energy of a little larger shot... but since they are actually flushing close an open choke (skeet) and lighter shot (for pattern density) is the way to go 7 1/2's are a good compromise for 98% of all grouse hunting... but as you say, when they are that close #8's are good too, especially with a cylinder bore, which we occasionally use for woodcock and grouse in alder thickets.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Being able to see a bird every 20 minutes in a couple hours span is quite indicative of the fact that there were likely more in the area that covered their er "ass end" really well and successfully allowed you to walk past! 
First off all (and I mention this cause even experienced folks may be caught unaware in the heat of sudden excitement), muzzle control is paramount when 2-3 guns are walking the same logging trail.
At this time of the season, with thick vegetation creeping well into the trails, it pays to always watch the edges at ground level in front of you. On a fairly straight path, this may be achieved out to a good distance as you walk forward. The other guys could cover the flanks observing the terrain/cover, eyeing fallen logs, low level branches and up into the trees etc.
In dry conditions, with leaves on the ground, one would eventually come to recognize the tell tale crunching noise if a bird is moving inside the bushes – one may note, Squirrels foraging on the ground make similar noises although the movement will seem more like abrupt hop/skip maneuver. The noise made by a Grouse walking over dry leaves is more consistent.
Always assume, a bird when spotted retreating into the bush will initially use various evading tactics (while remaining on the ground) for quite some time until it feels too threatened. It may hold or simply choose to bolt. As already suggested, apply the move/pause procedure to prompt a flush.
Where possible, take the shot despite the leaves/limbs etc (remember to follow through). I must state, retrieval without the benefit of a bird dog will usually be a challenge in the Grouse bush.
Lastly, a double gun equipped with open/tight chokes combo and double triggers will always offer an edge via ability of instant choke selection.
First off all (and I mention this cause even experienced folks may be caught unaware in the heat of sudden excitement), muzzle control is paramount when 2-3 guns are walking the same logging trail.
At this time of the season, with thick vegetation creeping well into the trails, it pays to always watch the edges at ground level in front of you. On a fairly straight path, this may be achieved out to a good distance as you walk forward. The other guys could cover the flanks observing the terrain/cover, eyeing fallen logs, low level branches and up into the trees etc.
In dry conditions, with leaves on the ground, one would eventually come to recognize the tell tale crunching noise if a bird is moving inside the bushes – one may note, Squirrels foraging on the ground make similar noises although the movement will seem more like abrupt hop/skip maneuver. The noise made by a Grouse walking over dry leaves is more consistent.
Always assume, a bird when spotted retreating into the bush will initially use various evading tactics (while remaining on the ground) for quite some time until it feels too threatened. It may hold or simply choose to bolt. As already suggested, apply the move/pause procedure to prompt a flush.
Where possible, take the shot despite the leaves/limbs etc (remember to follow through). I must state, retrieval without the benefit of a bird dog will usually be a challenge in the Grouse bush.
Lastly, a double gun equipped with open/tight chokes combo and double triggers will always offer an edge via ability of instant choke selection.
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blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Its cyclical. Im in WMU49 and last fall I saw well over 100 birds. This year I should break that, its been incredible.
As for hunting them, it becomes much easier when the leaves are off. This time of year is very tough. And dont forget to look up. Grouse will head to the tops of ironwoods and yellow birch int he evenings to eat the buds. Some dont consider this sporting, but then again my stomach doesnt complain about it. The last 90 mins or so of legal shooting time is my favourite time of the day to hunt birds.
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Beautiful Okanagan Valley
I saw 10 of them yesterday on back logging roads and only got three of them... but then I was driving my jeep about 15 km/h and trying to get my girl to get one. She was always slow to get ready compared to what I would have been, but she's new. We still had a nice grouse and moose dinner.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
^This is great advice!
I have a little habit I like to do when hunting upland game.
I call it "3 step 3." Take three steps,(or maybe two) then wait for three minutes (the longer the better within reason) as silently as possible with your senses on high alert, while you look high and low into the nearby bush, including up into the trees nearest including behind you and more often than not, bending down/crouching to look under foliage. Moving at a slow rate such as this, you have a higher chance of getting a shot or two off at game. Anything moving out there nearest to you, should pretty much get your attention forthwith.
Lots of areas have really high bag limits for them so if everyone goes to that 1 area because of it can take a few years for the population to bounce back. I find to spot them you just need to stop and look because they like to stand still and when they move they run away. Sometimes you can walk up to them and club then with a stick because they just sit there and don't move. It's about taking your time you might be walking to fast slow down take your time there is no rush.
I know 1 man had a shotgun and missed the bird he was out of ammo and the bird flew back to the tree it was originally in as it liked looking out of the field he said I'm out of ammo and there goes dinner so I just picked up a stick with a curve on it threw it and knocked the bird out of the tree he ran up and grabbed it and said were did you learn that? I said what I just threw a stick with a curve on it and happened to hit it on the head.
I know 1 man had a shotgun and missed the bird he was out of ammo and the bird flew back to the tree it was originally in as it liked looking out of the field he said I'm out of ammo and there goes dinner so I just picked up a stick with a curve on it threw it and knocked the bird out of the tree he ran up and grabbed it and said were did you learn that? I said what I just threw a stick with a curve on it and happened to hit it on the head.
I also find that with grouse the cycles are more area specific than with rabbits... Specific right down to the patch of woods... Can be a bad year in one bush and a boom year in another...
Nice Spruce grouse with a .22 no less.
Please pass on my congratulations to your son.
This past weekend I went grouse hunting with my son and a friend. Went to a spot where I have seen grouse multiple times while hiking and what-not.
Had a great day. Got our limit and my son got his first grouse.
Congrats fellas! Sure the young lad will remember this hunt for a while and must be anxious to get out again. Looking forward to some bird hunting if I get the chance while up at the trapline next weekend.
Please do.
Remember it is the thousands of boys and girls his age that will keep our lifestyle alive.
Logan_Lamothe
Regular
- Location
- Big River, Sask
I have never tried hunting grouse with a dog, need to get one that won't just run off and eat the bird. I use a 22 rimfire most of the time and a single shot 12 gauge with trap loads when I am not hunting big game. My preferred method is to cruise old logging roads just before dusk, they usually just sit on the side of the road or in the overgrown ditches.
Seeing the youngster with his grouse brought back a good memory. My boy was about that age, we were on our way back to town and spotted a bunch just off the road. I set him up (10/22 Ruger open sights) and he let fly. I had completely blown it, normally always just put one in the chamber for him but in this instance I put in the loaded clip (major DOOOH). My only excuse, there were about 12 in the bunch and excitement caused a major brain fart on my part. He never did hit the bird but ran 6 shots off in quick succession at about 10 feet from it. The bird never moved but blinked at him a few times as the ground erupted all around him. Luckily no harm done, but I never let that happen again. Found a Cooey 75 for him shortly thereafter. Grouse hunting is the perfect entry for kids. I now hunt with a dog and shooting them on the fly is just plain fun. If I am having an off day and cannot hit the proverbial barn door but want to bring some home, knocking them out of a tree works just fine too. Grouse hunting without a dog can be very successful but with a dog means you never lose a downed bird in the bush. When they hit the ground they sure disappear in a hurry if you do not have a good mark. There is much good advice put forth already to the OP. To this I will add, they prefer to run if possible and will put some cover between you to do so. If one has exploded off there just may be a few more running away at the same time. Good luck.
