Grouse numbers?
- Thread starter Bland
- Start date
badgreenbird
Regular
- Location
- Dawson Creek, BC
Doubtful that there was a second brood. No time for that at this latitude. The general timeline for grouse in central/north BC is : drumming starts in April, mating and egg-laying in May, hatching in June and growing in July/August. I've been seeing 3/4 grown chicks in the last few weeks.
If nests are lost to predators, then hens may re-nest if they weren't too far into the nearly month-long incubation period. That explains why some small chicks are seen late in the summer. Re-nesting doesn't usually happen if the chicks are lost... there's just not enough time... plus, it would be unusual if all chicks were killed at once, and the hens will stay with their remaining offspring, even if it's only one.
It's been really wet in the northeast part of the Province... doesn't bode well for grouse numbers this fall... but will wait & see
If nests are lost to predators, then hens may re-nest if they weren't too far into the nearly month-long incubation period. That explains why some small chicks are seen late in the summer. Re-nesting doesn't usually happen if the chicks are lost... there's just not enough time... plus, it would be unusual if all chicks were killed at once, and the hens will stay with their remaining offspring, even if it's only one.
It's been really wet in the northeast part of the Province... doesn't bode well for grouse numbers this fall... but will wait & see
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Hoping things turn out well here. But NE Alberta has had a fair amount of rainfall lately.
Last year was a prime year indeed! In one spot within 2 kms of each other I took ruffies and sharptails, and I could have harvested spruce grouse and was dumbfounded by my first glance at willow ptarmigan also. In retrospect, it had summer plummage and I viewed it very early in the fall season.
I hope this year is as good, and I think I'll purchase a Saskatchewan upland licence as well. Considering this is only my second year with a renewed interest in upland bird hunting, I consider myself downright spoiled!
Last year was a prime year indeed! In one spot within 2 kms of each other I took ruffies and sharptails, and I could have harvested spruce grouse and was dumbfounded by my first glance at willow ptarmigan also. In retrospect, it had summer plummage and I viewed it very early in the fall season.
I hope this year is as good, and I think I'll purchase a Saskatchewan upland licence as well. Considering this is only my second year with a renewed interest in upland bird hunting, I consider myself downright spoiled!
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Hey Bland, hope the Grouse season (waiting) is better than the Sockeye season.
I used to enjoy the wait for the return of the Red Gold on the Fraser.
Watching them skip across the river or bouncing of the sides of the boat at the peak of the season.
This year my days of rest fall on the opening of Grouse and look forward to busting a few shells from the new to me
1100 20 gauge (mod choke) and 28 vent rib Grouse slayer.
Tight Lines next year !
Ahh yes, look forward to next year to use the Abbu 7000 LD I just acquired too, if I dont gear up for Sturgeon first !
Rob
I used to enjoy the wait for the return of the Red Gold on the Fraser.
Watching them skip across the river or bouncing of the sides of the boat at the peak of the season.
This year my days of rest fall on the opening of Grouse and look forward to busting a few shells from the new to me
1100 20 gauge (mod choke) and 28 vent rib Grouse slayer.
Tight Lines next year !
Ahh yes, look forward to next year to use the Abbu 7000 LD I just acquired too, if I dont gear up for Sturgeon first !
Rob
Peter Hope Lk. ???
Rob
Haven't scouted much, but I think I'll spend quite a bit of time grouse hunting this year. Give the deer a break after all the snow last winter. Besides, I picked up a beauty Iver Johnson 16 gauge double that's been begging to go hunting so...
