Advice for a first time grouse hunter?

[Maritime Storm]

As a rule my pet Grouse load is as follows; Federeal Paper Hull, Fed.209A, 19.6gr. Red Dot, 12S0 wad, 1Oz of #6, 1250FPS@9300PSI. The load pattern wells through both barrels of my IJ-58M M/F 12ga, I'm yet to "blow up" a grouse with this combo.

 

[.22LRGUY]

I use #6 in the 12 and #7.5 in the 20. Just me. I never see rabbits

I carry a "grouse" bag with a few items. Something to carry my gear and any birds I get. Having a bag set up means I just grab it, the gun and go. In it are:

• Toilet Paper - ah yes, mentioned before, worth mentioning again. In a ziploc bag FTR.
• couple grocery bags - to put birds in so they don't bleed over the inside of the bag. Not for long term storage, but fine for a couple of hours.
• handful of ziploc bags and hand sanitizer - sometimes I'll clean the bird after shooting, not often though as I've learned when the hunting is hot, stay with it
• compass!!! - is a must. Can't tell you how easy it is to get lost in the bush. A phone app is good too, but beware the dying battery. A compass always works. When you step off the trail after a grouse, know which direction you're heading
• binoculars - Is that a grouse in yonder tree? Sometimes it's nice to be able to see
• a couple extra rounds - more because I miss than anything else. I keep a couple in my pocket for easy access but more than that and they jangle.
• miniature survival kit - knife, matches, lighter, some dryer lint, a bit of paracord, flagging tape. Did mention how easy it is to get lost?

Other random thoughts:

• wear comfortable boots
• walk quiet and stop and listen - you'll often hear them, especially if the leaves are dry
• listen for drumming - sounds like an engine that can't quite turn over. I just got a bird that called me in.
• when you clean a bird, take a look at it's crop - it's the 1/2 digested food bag at the top of the throat. It'll show what they are eating therefore where they will be. My birds had poplar and birch buds, plus some mushrooms.
• Don't give up. If you see a bird and it runs, chase it. If you lose it, try waiting it out or slowly stalk the area. Grouse hunting can be a battle of wills, and these birds are tough.
• Look up. Often they are roosting in trees, especially early morning - late evening
• If you wing it, then lose it - keep a sharp eye out for small feathers on the ground
• You won't be the first man outsmarted by something with the brain the size of a chicken's

^this is excellent. In fact, this might be one of best grouse threads I've read anywhere. I haven't seen any input from the judgmental twits that like to chastise hunters who shoot sitting birds. Usually, it's just a matter of time though. Anyhow, superb list safehunter...and more stuff than I usually carry. Lugging my own fat a** around is effort enough, so every ounce of weight counts when I'm deciding what TO, and not to pack. I will make 1 suggestion to new hunters though~wear nitrile gloves when cleaning grouse. (cheap, disposable, buy at your local hardware store) Grouse are like any other creature~a bit stinky on the inside. I find the smell stays on your hands too, and is a little off-putting. I cleaned grouse for 2 seasons with nothing before remembering I have these in my basement for gun cleaning anyway. Makes a big difference.

I would recommend 7.5. Anything larger is going to hurt the meat if, yup, if you hit the breast. Been hunting grouse for 30 years and have never "blown up" a grouse yet using 7.5, mod choke and a 12 gauge. Guys are going to say aim hi and a lot of other bs, just pattern the gun a couple of times and giver. I have used 8, and 9's, and have gotten very little shot in the meat of a grouse. Recommend using a mod or imp choke though. If you want to wing shot only use imp at 25 yards or less, or mod if your hungry. Whatever you do have fun!!

^I might have phrased this differently, but agree with the sentiment. I use a 20ga. now, but, I've always found more birds using a MOD choke 12ga. and #7-1/2 shot. (target loads) Pretty versatile, effective grouse killing combo. I seldom find birds that give you more than about 1-2 seconds to shoulder/shoot but if you can...aim a little high on close targets. Often, it's a point/blast and cross your fingers. I've had ones take a direct hit from close and only lost less than 1/2 of one side of the breast, but, did move to a 20ga. to minimize lost meat even more. Even had a barrel cut to 22" (=no choke) for some spots I have that are extremely tight bush. Shots are always close and fast. Most pellets I've found in the breast~3.

 

[beretta boy]

After nearly a half-century of grouse hunting in Southern Ontario, mostly in Simcoe County & the "Almaguin" areas of Muskoka Parry/Sound, I've found that for
my purposes a standard Trap load of 7-1/2's work very well indeed. My handloads over the past 35 years or so have been 1 oz. of 8's in 12 ga. and 7/8 oz. in 20 ga.
at 1200 fps, usually with Win. ball powders ... Super Target & predecessors like(452AA) for the 12 (but have used 700X, Red Dot & Promo) and Super Field (473AA)
for the 20, (but have also used 800X, Unique & Green Dot).

I've hunted both with & without good pointing dogs, and prefer to hunt with them, but have been successful as well without.

When hunting without a dog, make haste s-l-o-w-l-y ... look (and listen) more (a lot more) than you walk.
Yellow birch & poplar always seem to be present in most of my favourite coverts.
Learn the birds food sources and habits and you'll soon figure out where & when to find them.

Hitting birds on the wing is not as hard as some would make out. Getting "in tune" to the flush rather than being
startled or surprised by it is, I think, more than half the battle. Obviously a fairly lightweight gun that balances well,
handles quickly, and above all else, fits you properly is crucial. Whether it's a 12, 16, 20 or 28 matters little.

For choke, the more open the better. Cylinder, Skeet & Improved Cylinder are all reasonably good choices.
Modified is starting to get pretty tight for my liking.

A good bit of off-season reading may also help. The poet-laureate of Grouse writers, Butron Spiller is certainly a great start
with Grouse Feather, More Grouse Feathers & Firelight. Other good authors on the subject include George Bird Evans,
Gene Hill, Frank Woolner, Michael McIntosh & Steve Smith just to name a few.

Above all, keep at it, be ready for the flush & enjoy the outing !

 

[Silveragent]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I plan on going out this weekend myself for the first time, weather permitting.

 

[Bland]

Set your kit up so it is with you not on the ATV or back at the truck. Your dog takes you over hill and dale, it is getting dark and your compass is in your pack on the truck seat or something of that nature. Not my finest moment. Excellent advice on here, add to this, grouse do not have a huge range so bear that in mind when you head back into areas you hunted before.

 

[owensgreg]

Yes!! Toilet paper is important!! Lol my last walk I was franticly collecting nice big maple leafs because when nature calls I gotta go haha

I actually use number 6..... but hawkmp9 makes a great point.... always nice to have in case you push up a bunny too....

Oh yeah.... more advice.... bring toilet paper.....

 

[kamlooky]

I've lost count the number of stump/stick grouse I have leaded up with my 22.............lol.
Walking though the bush and the mind thinking of something else and have a grouse
fly up from under yer feet........yup.........toylet paper...............................................