Ground Swat

[jackenape]

So some of you see a grouse, within range, most likely frozen in place (for defense what stupid birds...) , you would continue walking up on it until it flushed, then shoot?

I dunno, I always choose the shot that will take the game the quickest, not one that would give me the most enjoyment or challenge.

 

[Crazy_Farmer]

I always find this question very odd in terms of shooting ducks and geese on water or land. Some older gentlemens will always say its unsportsman like to shoot them on the water or ground, and then will miss two shots at a flock flying over slightly out of range, most likely wounding a couple birds which may die later on the roost from their injuries. Where as on the ground or water or even landing within 20 yards your shots are more precise, more deadly, you know the bird you're shooting has a very high precentage of a clean quick kill, which is something we owe to the animals.

Ways I enjoying shooting ducks and geese without losing any sleep over it

-Landing
-walking on the ground
-eating on the ground
-pooping on the ground
-sleeping
-fighting
-running away
-swimming on water
-diving under water
-eating on water
-while preening themselves

 

[Grantmac]

This is why you take along a buddy and a .22
The .22 takes a headshot and if they miss you get to nab it on the wing. It's a very fun way to take birds.
Cheers,
Grant

 

[Covey Ridge]

If you are hunting birds, that can be legally hunted with a rifle( in B.C. , grouse, ptarmigan and turkey), my answer is yes. But for birds that must be hunted with a shotgun, shooting them on the ground ,I believe is not legal and a possible waste of meat because of the damage done ( depending on distance).

In Alberta, most game birds are legal with rifle with the exception of migratory. I think that there is actually less damage done with ground shot birds. Would I? Depends on if I am feeling sporting or hungry for ruff. If Iam hunting with a partner, I will let him take the shot. Better that I witness a miss than the other way around

In case Win 64 is out there

 

[Covey Ridge]

I find that ducks on water are very tough to kill unless they are really close.

 

[joe-nwt]

I only hunt upland game birds.

I only use a 22.

I only shoot them on the fly.

I only shoot them in the eye.

What a great hunter am I.

 

[Longwalker]

I shoot grouse on the ground with a .22 but almost never shoot sitting grouse with a shotgun. I love to eat grouse, but don't feel I've earned the meal unless there is some marksmanship involved. 'course that would change if I was actually hungry...

 

[CRAZYLOCH]

It's poke, poke, warning shot, opps, too close, pick up what's left.

LOL OMG!!!! BWAHAHAHAHA

 

[Wildfoot]

I'll take grouse on the ground with a shotgun. Put the bead on his head, lift 2", and let her buck. Very rarely do I miss the bird, or put pellets into the breast. Don't get me wrong, I'll take them in the air too, but the odds of putting a pellet into the breasts increases.

this is what I do too. I never knew it was considered by some to be unsportsmanlike? I figure as long as I am killing the bird quickly and cleanly (not wasting meat), I am good to go - and the shot is safe for all around me.

I like to still hunt for grouse though, I don't walk through brush and flush them all that often.

 

[looch]

It's hard to explain one's position one this subject without offending those who don't see things the same way. Some don't care. I do.

I don't shoot grouse on the ground, but I wouldn't use terms like "ground swatting/sluicing" unless I was looking to start an argument. The law is not specific regarding the bird's activities at the time of the kill and I'm quite sure that the bird is as much against being shot at on the wing as on the ground.

A much more basic question should be asked prior to this one, and that is "Why do I hunt?" And the beauty of that question is that the answer is rarely ever wrong.

 

[Grouse Man]

 

[beretta boy]

No ... pure wingshooter - and don't hunt turkeys.

Will "finish off" a duck or goose on the water, but that's it.

 

[Paul Morrison]

Unless I have a dog, I don't hunt grouse with a shotgun. Its just not fair. Give the bird a sporting chance! I take a .22 and I stalk them, and aim for the head. I either drop them RIGHT THERE, or I miss and they get away.

Of course, up here I'll hit three with the car on my way to go hunting, so its not like I'll wait a long time till I see the next one.

Of course, we have a joke up here:

What's the 'Nipigon Method' of grouse hunting?

You drive really slow down a logging road, and when you see one, you open the door and speed up!

 

[Claybuster]

Part of the difference in approach and what's "sportsmanlike" or isn't relates to the birds themselves.

The further north you are in Ontario ruffed grouse remain on the ground or run while further south they are much spookier and flush sooner.

This was explained to me by a bird biologist as being due to natural selection. In the north the big risk to the grouse is airborne usually from goshawks so the birds that fly get eaten and those with a tendency to stay on the ground survive. Meanwhile the predation further south comes from foxes, coyotes, etc. and the birds who stay on the ground get taken and the tendency to flush is more common among them. Cover is usually heavier in the north as well.

I've seen lots of grouse on the ground in Northern Ontario but damn few further south.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I'll take grouse on the ground with a shotgun. Put the bead on his head, lift 2", and let her buck. Very rarely do I miss the bird, or put pellets into the breast. Don't get me wrong, I'll take them in the air too, but the odds of putting a pellet into the breasts increases.

I will do much the same, on occasion. As part of my Moose hunting trips, I have a single shot 410 on the dash of the truck, just for 'road Grouse' for camp meat. On that occasion I will 'ground swat' or ground sluice but out specifically bird hunting I'll shoot'em 'on the wing'.

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

Well, at the end of the day when all is said and done, I prefer to see my Grouse on a dinner plate regardless of where they were positioned earlier - ground or air.

In fact, much of the terrain in Northern Ontario (once you've veered away from those logging trails and into the woods) is not always conducive to wielding even a short barrelled shotgun for those wingshots.

Nevertheless, it is always interesting though to witness the shocked features of the bird hunter (inlcuding mine) when that bird flushes like a rocket without any warning and one is left standing with thumb on safety still in the on position looking (dumbfounded ) at the direction where the bird had vanished

 

[Paul Morrison]

Grouse up here in the north do tend to stay on the ground more. They also do this funny little nonchalant walk when they spot you. They pretend everything is a-ok... I'm just going to walk over here, get behind this tree and then... FLY LIKE HELLLLLLLLL!

Its pretty funny. So, I use a .22 and I stalk them. More fun that way.

 

[Ranger G]

I feel much prouder having bagged a Ruffie on the wing, but they taste too good to let them run away unscathed. I often hunt with dogs and if the grouse want to sit in a tree and stare at the dog, they die. If they flush and head for the next province, I'll try to shoot them. I play whatever game they (Ruffies) want to play. All other upland birds are wing shot only. That's usually the only way you get a chance.