Drache, htting a grouse on the wing with a 22 is a tremendous feat! I was taught at a very early age, like 12 years old, to shoot grouse in the head or neck with a 22, on the ground. I think this is the best way there is to shoot grouse.
I consider grouse to be the hardest of any upland game bird to hit on the wing with a shotgun.
I was mostly joking about hitting grouse on the wing with a .22, I've only ever done it twice and it was pure luck both times (both times it was more out of desperation as it was the end of the season and I had been "skunked" both times up until those points).
I was taught to shoot grouse on the ground with a .22 by my grandfather and he was an amazing shot and never used a scope, infact the only scope he ever used was on his .308 Norma. I was taught on open sites and actually can prefer open sites on a .22.
I have shot lots of grouse on the wing with a 12 gauge and I think what makes them so hard is they fly fast and for a very short time and generally into trees.
I prefer a .22 for grouse hunting due to the accuracy but carrying a .22 for bear defense isn't the smartest of ideas and the bears around here and getting pretty brave! And carrying a .22 and a shotgun while hiking along with all my camping gear can be a real pain in the back.


















































