First time hunter, grouse tips?

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T073

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Hi everyone,

I just completed my course not too long ago and now that I'm finally licensed up I'm planning to head out and look for grouse this weekend on crown land.
I've never seen a grouse in my life, and that might be because I didn't know they even existed. No one I know hunts so I thought I'd ask on here for some tips.

Is if there is a certain time of day I'm more likely to find them (I'd be trying around the Ottawa area)? Is it similar to fishing and they hide/sleep at certain times of the day?
I have both a 12guage and a 10/22. I have a scope on my 10/22 and fiber optic sights on a 20" barrel for my 12guage and bead sight on my 28" barrel. Which gun/barrel should I go with for my first hunt?

Thanks in advance guys! It'd be awesome if I find one, but if not it'll be a nice hike on new land :D
 
Best with your 28 inch with bead sight, now almost all the leaves are down, it's easier for you but also for the grouse to see you, what i like to do is walk very slowly a dozen paces than stop and listen and look around for a couples of minutes,
then repeat that process, take your time, some #6 shot with and improved cyl choke or modified is about right...
As a newbie if you see them on the ground,
take your time before shooting to see if there is more than one, sometimes you can doubled by waiting to have 2 heads in your pattern...
Wing shots is hard but it will be more beginners luck if you do it but it's better not to shot and look were it's flying to by slowly walking you may have another chance or it could have roosted (easy shot)... Good hunt... JP.
 
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i went out for my first grouse hunt i only brought a .22, i didnt have any luck - i saw four birds, but none were good .22 shot, i wished i brought my 20 gauge with me. It seems a lot of experienced grouse hunters bring the .22 and are practiced and know the correct steps. as a newbie i found the whole time i wished i brought my shotgun
 
I went out yesterday and brought both my .22 and my 12 gauge with me. Was looking for rabbits and squirrels primarily but didn't know if I'd come across grouse or pheasant too as I saw some on the property last year before I had my license. I saw 2 Bluejays and a Chickadee this time...no dice on anything else unfortunately.
 
Thanks for the tips JP.
Tribal, what made you want the shotgun more? I was originally thinking that with my .22 I'm accurate up to 40yrds easy so I can take a shot before they even know I'm there but after reading the comments so far I'm now leaning more towards my 12guage
 
I've shot more grouse with my Ruger 10/22 -scoped and my Cooey 39 -iron sights, than my 20 or 12 gauge. Just like zombies, aim for the head, but I've missed plenty that would have gone down had I been using one of my shotguns. I don't think I've ever shot a grouse flying, always sitting. I hunt grouse as a day filler between my morning and afternoon deer hunts. Really it's what you prefer or are a better shot with. 22 gives you more range, shotgun gives you flying shots.
 
If your planning on hunting renfrew county you better get used to shooting them on the wing. Unless you catch them out in the open on a trail they 9 times out of 10 will flush within 20 yards. I love hunting grouse and they are a ton of fun to shoot on the wing. I'm not sure why they are so nervous here compared to up North.
I like to walk slow for 15 yards and stop, listen. Sometimes you will hear them on the leaves or making a peeping noise (for lack of a better description). If you can't spot any get prepared to shoot, as soon as you start moving again they will usually flush.
I find early morning/evening to be best. Right after a rain can be good if your walking trails as they seem to like to sun themselves after a rain. Any area with berries, poplar buds, apple trees, raspberry patches (love the leaves) are good to explore.
When you get one open its crop to see what its been eating, this gives you a good indicator of what to look for.
 
Since we are talking grouse hunting, here's a video from a couple weeks ago. Browning BPS 12 gauge no. 6 shot.


Just uploaded so if its still processing give it a couple minutes.
 
Shotgun will outperform a .22 in a grouse hunt any day. I don't care how many birds you've taken with a .22, it's no match for a shotgun. #6 is a great shot size, but you can use anything up to 8 or even 9. with a cylinder choke.
Find an old logging road, make sure there are no "NO HUNTING" signs anywhere. Show up at the crack of dawn and take it easy. Take 10 steps, stop and listen. Patience is the name of the game with grouse....errrr and pretty much all hunting lol. The best way to learn is just to go out and do it man.

Also YouTube has lots of great hunting vids.

Good luck!

PS. Sorry if I offended any .22 lovers out there.
 
Grouse often need pebbles to help them digest, so you'll often find them on or near a logging road. Got one the other day, near dusk with my .22. It was at least a 60 yrd shot.
 
Some things I've noticed while hunting Grouse in my area

1) They tend to be more in areas where you have a transition from hardwoods to pines.. in the edge areas of the pines..
2) They tend to like areas where there is more wavy terrain.. small terrain changes of +/- 1 foot
3) tend to like areas with downed trees/bushes..
4) look for pine/sprue which are not to "full" in the lower branches but do offer some cover.
5) they love to sit on the trails.. make sure you look both close in the sides of the trails, and 20-30 yards up the trail just on the edge.
6) Walk 15 meters then hold for 30 -60 seconds.. listen for the rustle of the leaves.. and little chirps.
7) listen for the drumming in the early hours (like an old farm motor starting up. from really slow to faster...)
 
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