Manitoba Ruffed Hrouse Hunters

M12shooter

M12shooter

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
East St. Paul, mb
Wondering what this falls grouse population looks like? Have not been out for ruffies yet but now that a good portion of the leaves are down the time has come. I hunt mostly east and southeast of Winnipeg. Anyone been out? What numbers of birds are you putting up?
 
I hunt in the Whiteshell and Nopoming areas, and bird numbers seem to be down from last year. I think the wet spring had an effect on nesting and brood mortality. Talked to a friend who hunted The Sprague area for opening day and only saw one grouse.
 
I went out to the Sandilands and north of Marchand today for grouse. I had the day off, so I made a quick trip out there this morning. The weather was kinda crummy. It started off not too bad, overcast and windy. In the bush, though, it was quite calm. Then it rained on and off, and eventually came down pretty hard for 20-30mins.

I saw no grouse in the Sandilands area, but I saw 1 grouse north of Marchand, on a trail east of fireguard 13. I was not able to get a shot, though. It flushed in the thick bush. I was out for about 5 hours.

Has anyone had any success with the grouse this year? I was disappointed by the lack of birds, to say the least. It was an enjoyable day, mind you. It would have been nice to get at least 1 grouse, considering I burned 3/4 tank of gas to get there and back! Oh well...I might head out again tomorrow. Maybe to the Mars Hill area. I've never been there, so I'll do some exploring!

-Sean
 
Lots of grouse in the sandilands... at least I'm finding them (off hwy #1)!!!
Brought home 3 last sunday and I was only out there for 2 hrs. Must have flushed about 5 more but they b-lined it straight into the thick stuff and I couldn't find em after that. Also saw plenty of them this summer around Marchand, Richer and Reynolds ponds while out quadding.

sean18mb- definitely hit Mars/belair forrest, it's another excellent area. Try walking the north star trail as well as the trails that lead off of there. My buddy and his kid brought home 8 birds last weekend.
 
Last edited:
Turbo said:
Lots of grouse in the sandilands... at least I'm finding them (off hwy #1)!!!
Brought home 3 last sunday and I was only out there for 2 hrs. Must have flushed about 5 more but they b-lined it straight into the thick stuff and I couldn't find em after that. Also saw plenty of them this summer around Marchand, Richer and Reynolds ponds while out quadding.

sean18mb- definitely hit Mars/belair forrest, it's another excellent area. Try walking the north star trail as well as the trails that lead off of there. My buddy and his kid brought home 8 birds last weekend.
Click to expand...

The trails are named? How do you know the names of each trail? Are they labeled? I wasn't able to get out today. Yesterday I was going to go to Mars Hill. Then I thought that's a little far for today, so I figured I'd explore around the Portage Sandhills. I've never been there either. But, I woke up and the weather sucked, and it looked like darker clouds to the west, so I figured I'd stay home and relax today. Tomorrow we have family over, so, maybe Monday. Although every other Joe will probably be out hunting on Monday as well. Whatever...:D

-Sean
 
sean18mb, shot plenty of ruffies through the years in the Mars hills area east of Libau. As of the past few years the place is over run with dirt bikes and quads tearing around. I will only hunt there during weekdays now. If you only have weekends to hunt, I'd look for more "peacefull" stomping grounds. Give Belair, Stead or areas east of Powerview a try. There was plenty out there last year... this year...??
 
Hmm...that sucks. I wish ATV use was more limited in MB. Even here close to our home (Headingley) there are a number of ATVs and dirt bikes driving around all the time. It kinda spoils the wilderness experience when you hear vehicles driving around everywhere. Whatever... I don't mind if you use your ATV to retrieve an animal after it's down, or if you're packing in your camp equipment or something like that, but personally, I'd rather hunters get off their lazy butts and walk every now and then. But that's just my 2 cents and a whole other issue.

What kind of bush is there out towards Whitemouth Lake? I know that's about a 2 hour drive for me to get out that way, but I know it's supposed to be a good area for grouse. What about the Portage Sandhills? Any decent #'s of grouse? I know it's no vehicles allowed, but that's fine with me! I love to explore new areas, so I'll head out there sometime.

-Sean
 
I was up around Manigotagan last weekend got 3 Ruffies(9 hours of hiking)not nearly as good as last year. This weekend went to the Mars Forest(nothing), then to Milnar Ridge shot one but flushed eight into heavy cover...no dog, next year I'll definitely take a dog. May trty up by Washow Bay to Beaver Creek , Monday.Son-in-law was out to Sandilands today and got three in about 1 1/2 hours, (on foot).
 
Grouse Man said:
I hope you're aware that there is a game bird refuge along that trail . . .
Click to expand...

Didn't know there was a refuge there and I have never hunted there either. Went quadding there at least a dozen times this summer and saw plenty of birds, I guess I now know why.

Sean, There are named trails and some are labelled. I can tell you that if your hunting the sandilands, there are fire roads/ trails and they are numbered, but the trails leading off them are not numbered/named.
 
I know the Sandiands trails are numbered, but I've never been to Mars Hill. I didn't know they had names. I was hunting some trails about 3-4km NE of the town of Sandilands. There was one pile of grouse feathers, but that was all I saw there. I tried to find an area that had a mix of coniferous trees and aspens, but in the area I was in it was mostly conifers. I did see 1 grouse on the highway before I got there, but that was the only one I saw close to Sandilands.

The other grouse was north of Marchand, on a trail east of Fireguard 13. I did not have a good chance at a shot, though.

I'm pretty sure I'll head out to the Portage Sandhills on Monday, but I have no idea what to expect. I just want to head somewhere fairly close to home and walk around for a few hours. There are supposed to be grouse there, so hopefully I'll at least see some!

Happy Thanksgiving all!

-Sean
 
I was out east of powerview with my two boys and stop at all the trails right up to Manigotagan only saw 4 grouse. My two boys even notice the difference from last year. Oh well thats life, It was still great to be out with my two sons!
 
sean18mb said:
Hmm...that sucks. I wish ATV use was more limited in MB. Even here close to our home (Headingley) there are a number of ATVs and dirt bikes driving around all the time. It kinda spoils the wilderness experience when you hear vehicles driving around everywhere.
-Sean
Click to expand...

Sean, I'm sure the ATV people don't like the sound of your shotgun or deer rifle. Suck it up, they pay taxes same as you.
 
2fat2fly said:
Sean, I'm sure the ATV people don't like the sound of your shotgun or deer rifle. Suck it up, they pay taxes same as you.
Click to expand...

I do suck it up. I never said I'm gonna write my MLA or anything like that. I just stated my opinion. I know they have as much right to use the bush as I do. I would prefer if it were more quiet.

I've never written any letters complaining about the ATV's. I've never asked for laws to be changed. I've never made a stink about it, other than what I said above.

All I'm saying is that it's kinda annoying when you're out hunting and other guys hunting are too lazy to walk, so all they do is drive around all day on their ATV's. Zoom zoom...

Whatever...I don't want to start arguing this. You have your opinion, I have mine. Let's leave it there! I probably should have not said anything at all, so lets just let this die right here.

Anyone else have any success with the grouse?

-Sean
 
Finished our moose hunt in the Duck Mountains a couple weeks back. Kinda liked the atv's running the main trails.......moved the moose to the back trails where we found ours. Afterwards, we spent a couple days hunting grouse......population seemed to be down a bit, but still lots to be found. Now i just have to find a 22/410 to carry so I can hit the darn things.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom