Opening day grouse...or lack thereof.

Numbers are still down in the Saskatoon area. I see small groups of sharpies now and again, but certainly not in large enough numbers to add hunting pressure to the mix. Our limit is 2 sharpies a day.
 
Last week our dogs were scaring tons up as we walked around our area. If you are in central Ontario ,off Old Hastings RD there are plenty and lots of crown land , and judging from the number of Turkeys on the front yards they did well this summer too.
 
Three hour drive north-east of Thunder Bay, or approx 13 hour drive from Toronto. There were lots this summer, so I'm expecting a good season.
 
Its waaaay too early. Birds anywhere north of Orillia genarally wont flush. With the leaves still on they'll just walk away from you and you'd never know they were there. I NEVER make an assessment on bird populations until the leaves are down.
 
I went out this past Saturday and got one ruffed grouse and one spruce grouse. Those were the only two I saw, though I did flush one more that I only heard and did not see. I agree that it will be easier once the leaves are down. Here's the pics:

 
My dad and I got 5, over 4 days and 280km in his truck. 4 Spruce, one Ruffed, all tasty. That makes 5 more than I got last year, even my house got more than me, one flew into a window. My dad is up on 560, east of the Watershed, now I'm home in 42, tripping over Ruffed grouse and waiting for the 20th.......
 
My dad and I got 5, over 4 days and 280km in his truck. 4 Spruce, one Ruffed, all tasty. That makes 5 more than I got last year, even my house got more than me, one flew into a window. My dad is up on 560, east of the Watershed, now I'm home in 42, tripping over Ruffed grouse and waiting for the 20th.......

Well, it's the 20th, and the rain is biblical. I'm waiting for it to let up prior to heading out this afternoon. Depending on what happens today, I may head out towards Killarney tomorrow.
 
I am contemplating a walk around the gravel pit road near my place with the 410-22 just for kicks..... I should really be prepping for deer season though.... cutting brush and such.....
 
We have shot twenty or so this week.. the real hunt starts Monday, where we usually take 30-40 incidentally while moose hunting. Mid-October we go north for a week long grouse hunt and walleye trip... in our area that means ruffed, spruce and sharptail... usually take in the 40-60 range for the week... the dogs are tired and happy when we get home... we eat as we go and bring back a possession limit for two.
 
We have shot twenty or so this week.. the real hunt starts Monday, where we usually take 30-40 incidentally while moose hunting. Mid-October we go north for a week long grouse hunt and walleye trip... in our area that means ruffed, spruce and sharptail... usually take in the 40-60 range for the week... the dogs are tired and happy when we get home... we eat as we go and bring back a possession limit for two.



Good luck with your moose hunt
 
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