Best time for Grouse

dave_t73

dave_t73

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So what's the best time of day to head out for grouse? Are they out and about early in the morning with the sun? I've seen them at all times of the day, but I'm sure there are more of them around at certain times, right?

The only grouse shooting I've done is incidental when I see them on a trail or road at various times of the day.
 
I guess it would depend on the kind of Grouse. I hunt Spruce and Ruffed Grouse here in NFLD and I usally see them mostly around 7am and then again at 6pm. These are the times they like to come out on the trails to eat sand to help them digest their food.
 
Yep, early morning and evening. Where they go in the middle of the day, I have absolutely no idea. It is pointless to go grouse hunting from about 10 or so to 5 pm. Nappy time.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grouse Man
It is pointless to go grouse hunting from about 10 or so to 5 pm. Nappy time.

Maybe depends upon the area?
This week I was out two days in a row from 10 am till 430 pm - I was shooting, or seeing grouse at all times of the day, even in the rain. As mentioned, after feeding they come out for gravel, and hang around the edges of the trails or roads (if not sitting in the bloody middle of the road).
Of course, this is not very scientific, since maybe I would have seen way more birds if I went out earlier, and in a different area.
 
I think it depends - peak feeding time is right after sunrise and right before sunset.

But - if you've got a dog and depending on what they're feeding - it can be more productive not too push them until after peak feeding.

As an example, my favorite areas for grouse hunting are those with lots of clover - new pipelines, trails, etc.

If you hit those while the birds are out on the trail and feeding, the birds can see you coming from fifty yards and tend to bust out early.

If you wait till 9 or 10, once the birds have been laying down scent trails into the bush next to the trail, they sit tighter and provide better opportunities.

It also depends on your birds - most of ours seem to roost on the ground during the day and use spruce trees at night. But some areas the birds hit the trees during the day.

It's all kind of academic for me though, cause most of the time I just hunt grouse when I can, or during the middle of the day when the deer aren't moving as much.
 
In the afternoon I usually find them in wooded areas, just walk around in the really thick stuff and you should be able to flush a couple out, as for sharpies I think they stay out in the fields for most of the day, just watch for their heads poking out of the grass. BTW, not to hijack this thread, but is it better to go later in the season for ruffs? I was told that the best hunting is as the first frost comes in, or is it better once you get a good snow in?
 
Morning/evening (like most birds at our feeder) seem to be peak. The weather/temperature will alter these habits somewhat.

On those days with heavy cloud ( you know the days ..... if you didn't have a watch or a creeping hangover you wouldn't be able to tell if its 10:00am or 4:00pm), I get them equally at all hours of the day..... light intensity must have something to do with feeding/moving.:confused:
 
hmm, seems like a mixed bag of advice. :p
In any case, I'll just have to try to take more notice of when I spot the tricky devils.

Black Bear, I was also wondering if the cooler weather (frost) would be better or worse. But I do know I've had an easier shooting them when there were no leaves on the trees.
(BTW, are you coming back to mentor at next year's youth hunt?)
 
..... don't be too quiet when you are walking trails either. Some grouse may be flighty but they are all extremely curious. So many times I've seen nothing walking in .... and half a dozen or so coming out. A few coughs, stump kicks, shotgun butt slaps (re: low frequncy noise) will carry well as the temperature gets colder and may well pique their interest or coax them off that hidden midday roost.
 
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all that said I just got back today from a morning hunt and we saw nouthing untill about 1030 on the roads sunning themselves or eating gravel...what ever they are doing they where not on the road untill about10:30 and with all the leaves on thats the only place I can see them now...with no dog..
 
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