Manitoba Ruffed Hrouse Hunters
- Thread starter M12shooter
- Start date
Yeah, I know they get it bad. That's why I later said that I should have kept my mouth shut. Whatever, life goes on!
BWANA, no, unfortunately I did not. I had everything planned to go, but the combination of crappy weather and other things I needed to get done, I just did not end up going. I didn't think I'd see much grouse in the rain. That's been the story for this hunting season, though. I make plans to head out somewhere, but I always end up cancelling because something comes up.
I AM heading out for deer on Saturday. I told the boss I'm taking either Monday or Friday off, so I figured I'll go bowhunt deer Sat/Sun/Mon, and perhaps get a few hours for grouse in there one day. I'll be gone to Spruce Woods. I wanted to do some bowhunting before the smokesticks get in there.
I still want to check out the Sandhills, though. Apparently there are sharptail grouse in that area.
-Sean
I took my youngest son out today and we walked 7 miles and seen 5 Ruffies and got none. He had a .22 and he was a little too slow on the draw on 3 good chances he had and the 2 other's were really spooky so no chance there on those. One bird was even in plain sight 10 feet away and he had his gun slung over his shoulder when we were walking back and by the time he fumbled it into position the bird was gone. I think he learned something from that. Basically to be prepared and not waste any time.
So I went bowhunting Friday/Sat/Sun. Friday, I had my bow with me, mainly "hunting" deer. I was actually mostly scouting, but you know how it is. I'd come across the biggest buck of my life, and it would let me get a shot, but no, I would no have my bow with me. So there I was with my bow in hand, looking for deer, and what do I see? Grouse! Do I have my shotgun and .22? No! I thought about taking one with the bow, but they move away too quickly.
Whatever, I saw 3 grouse on Friday. Saturday was spent hunting deer, Sunday moring deer hunting, and Sunday from about 12PM to 4PM, I went hunting for grouse. Did I see any? No! lol
Whatever, that's how it goes!
I did see 3 nice bucks on Sunday morning, but they were about 130 yards away. A little too far for the bow!
I thought for sure I'd see some grouse on Sunday. I saw NONE! The ones I saw on Friday would have all been dead, they didn't flush right away, and they gave nice shots, if I had the shotgun. Oh well! It was still fun!
-Sean
I thought about taking one with the bow, but they move away too quickly.Whatever, I saw 3 grouse on Friday. Saturday was spent hunting deer, Sunday moring deer hunting, and Sunday from about 12PM to 4PM, I went hunting for grouse. Did I see any? No! lol
Whatever, that's how it goes!I did see 3 nice bucks on Sunday morning, but they were about 130 yards away. A little too far for the bow!
I thought for sure I'd see some grouse on Sunday. I saw NONE! The ones I saw on Friday would have all been dead, they didn't flush right away, and they gave nice shots, if I had the shotgun. Oh well! It was still fun!
-Sean
Ok, we went out again. My 16 year old son was using a Cooey model 840 in .410 and I took my CIL/Anschutz 310. I wanted him to get a grouse. Judging by all the shot marks on the branches the first grouse must have somehow barely missed getting nailed by the pattern. But then the plastic piece of s**t forend Pivot Plate broke.
To keep the forend together I improvised by wrapping it with wire. I couldn't believe he missed the next 4, some quite close! Then I tested the gun and it was shooting 2 feet high at 50 feet! Who would have thought! We seen 3
more on the way back. One was 40 yards away and 4 offhand shots by me with the 310 all missed it's head by a fraction of an inch! But the next 2 of them I smoked in the head. I'm letting my son use my Remington 870 in .410 for next time. I ordered an Aluminum Forend Pivot Plate for both my 840's.
To keep the forend together I improvised by wrapping it with wire. I couldn't believe he missed the next 4, some quite close! Then I tested the gun and it was shooting 2 feet high at 50 feet!
Who would have thought! We seen 3more on the way back. One was 40 yards away and 4 offhand shots by me with the 310 all missed it's head by a fraction of an inch! But the next 2 of them I smoked in the head. I'm letting my son use my Remington 870 in .410 for next time. I ordered an Aluminum Forend Pivot Plate for both my 840's.
