Ontario grouse numbers

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Doogs

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I haven't seen one around Pembroke here all year. Walked 12km on Monday (I have a bad hip but I was pissed about not seeing any so it kept me going) and didn't even flush one. I did jump shoot 2 delicious wood ducks later that day though.

What are grouse numbers like in your neck of Onterrible?
 
Distant outskirts of the Ottawa area is looking low... went last wkend and saw none... all summer camping 4 times in the area I only saw a handful... however same area 4 years ago had lots. They come and go in cycles right?
 
I haven't seen a grouse in about 7 or 8 years down in Niagara or Lake Erie north shore. Although I haven't brought the lab out bush whacking for them in about 5 years, will try this season and post.
 
Manit. Island in N.O. Haven’t seen or heard a grouse all year. Still too hot for a good hunt. We have Yotes and eagles but a lower number of coons this year
 
Lots in Haliburton. Always flush several every time I walk the property with the dogs. And starting to see more turkeys as well.

Deer on the other hand, which use to be plentiful, not so much anymore in our area. At least nothing like it use to be 10 years ago.
 
Just out at the camp today to do some work and saw one large male on the trail when moving in. Didn't take it cause my ammo was packed and it was standing on a rock with ricochet risk. Still it was hanging out on the ground with little concern that I was passing by on an atv. Hopefully I will see some more when I get out in the bush to check the stands.
 
3 ruffed bit the dust on our favorite bush road just 10 miles south of New Liskeard, northern Ontario yesterday.
The weather is like mid july. It was an inferno 30 degrees C in the bush.
Must have sweated off 5 pounds each.
Partridge (grouse) strips rolled in bread crumbs tasted great with home fries & coleslaw for supper.
 
Blame the two consecutive harsh winters of 2014-15.

Good to know that I am not crazy and all the rabbits (hare) have followed deer. No clue why, as hare and grouse should have fared better in harsh winters! With hare and grouse and deer gone, wolf, fox, lynx, pine marten .... have all but disappeared too. Barely see any on trail cameras anymore. Plenty of black bears though. I have to learn to like bear hunting. Is it too late to start baiting them?

Around here, Deer season has been very depressing for the last couple of years.
 
I'm hoping the frost hits for thanksgiving so I can bag my limit in Englehart!
We usually get our daily limit once the Cold hits.
 
I spent the past week in the bush WMU 48. Was too busy working on my camp to take the gun out of its case but saw 5 or so. All adults and no young-of-the-year so am thinking all the rain this summer was not good for chick production. Saw more birds in May which is usually the low of the annual population. Of course there is a lot more cover now than in May so will go back up after a hard frost and maybe outlook will be less discouraging.
 
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