Couple grouse

jongun

jongun

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Well finally after nearly a month without being able to take any time to hunt grouse I finally allowed myself a bit of time to do some hunting. Took one yesterday on a purposeful walk down a trail I'll often see them chilling. Fingers were getting cold and was about to head back to camp when I noticed one trying to sneak away from the trails edge crunching leaves as he attempted to elude me. The 20ga found its mark even through a little light brush. Beats the hell out of the 22 for tagging them when they slink into the shrubbery. Got two more today one on the same trail where I happened to be checking one of my trap sets and figured to carry along the 20ga in case I saw any birds. Pain to carry a shotgun along with all my trap equipment but it did pay off. Third was taken in the yard back at camp as I was reversing in I caught a little bobble head in my mirror. Hopped out of the truck and had an other nice bird. They seem to be all around my camp and it's always nice to be able to take a couple and brightens the mood especially if traps aren't being hit like you'd have em. Hopefully I'll be able to take a little time this weekend to partake in one of my favourite pastimes. The Britt that I'm getting in about three weeks now will certainly make my grouse hunting that much more enjoyable.
 
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I love grouse hunting too. The last few years they seem to have picked up where I hunt despite all the wolves.

Last year I got 20,this year 15.

One of my favorite things is slowly stalking a covey through a young pine forest. Doesn't get much better than that IMHO.
 
Thinning out predators round the line so think that can only be good for the bird hunting not to mention deer and moose. Think it's possible squirrels probably pose a threat to eggs and young birds so their population is being checked somewhat too since they can't seem to keep away from the beaver meat at my marten sets.
 
Looky are you blasting those chukars in the Osooyoos area? Seen lots there, but they like to stick to the thorny ####...
 
I use a 20g semi-auto for grouse as well. My friends use .22s but if they miss and one takes to the air, they all appreciate the 20g. ;) Here was my first of the season and then managed a few Spruce Grouse the same day.



 
conor_90 said:
Looky are you blasting those chukars in the Osooyoos area? Seen lots there, but they like to stick to the thorny ####...
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Further north west.


two-dogs said:
yep, there is more gun there than what I would want to carry!:p
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Just fer your information there two-tails, ( :nest: ) this old A-5 in 20 is surprisingly light.
I sold a 28 SxS that wayed pretty much the same.

And that bird in the first photo ain't the one on the earth.
That pretty feather gartzs the gift oh life that day.
Can't gitt'im awll yu noes.
 
Weird, has it been especially dry in that area this year? I was not around there during wildfire season.

Maybe bubba released them from the pheasant run...
 
Zedbra said:
I use a 20g semi-auto for grouse as well. My friends use .22s but if they miss and one takes to the air, they all appreciate the 20g. ;) Here was my first of the season and then managed a few Spruce Grouse the same day.




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Was using the 22 solely for grouse and was having great success but after missing out on a bird due to it being behind some brush I decided I needed a shotgun and the 20 seemed to fit the bill. Have yet to take one on the wing but have at least had the opportunity to miss a shot ;)
 
I've had a good year, around 50 so far, been eating them practically every day. Who needs moose at this rate? The ruffies have been huge this year, like genetically modified big. Lots of snow on the ground now, so not out so much, waiting for my little .410 from Corwin to come in to use when I'm snowshoeing.

Sure wish that 20 guage Browning was in my gun cabinet! Damn!
 
Nice shoot'n all. I think a 20 gauge (or even better, a 28) is perfect for grouse hunting. I managed to bag a fair number of ruffies and even got a chukar on my last outing of the year. Conor_90: wild chukars are around the south Okanagan, but also in the Fraser Valley and dry country around Ashcroft, Kamloops, etc.
 
Interesting, I have never seem them outside of the Southern Okanagan. I can think of a place near ashcroft/cache creek that fits the bill ecosystem wise.

Not trying to poach your spot (no longer in that area at all) but can I have a general idea of where you have seen them in the Fraser Valley?

Does anyone have any info on when they were released originally?
 
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