Ruffed grouse

[mattf87]

What size shot do you guys use to hunt birds? I am not a hunter, but have always wondered. I've heard the term "birdshot" but that is tiny, and would take forever to pick all them out of the meat I would guess?

Edit: I just read some above posts and you are using 7.5 shot? Doesn't that take forever to pick out and just riddle the meat with lead balls?

 

[.22LRGUY]

I am looking forward to .22LRGIRL or .22LRDAUGHTER's first post.Please tell her that the the guys on CGN wish her the best of luck on her course and first hunt.
There is nothing better than taking someone out for their first hunt.
Nipigon Jack

Hey...thanks Nipigon Jack~will do! She's an enthusiastic kid no matter what she takes on, but a few years ago...she tasted bacon-wrapped grouse nuggets cooked over charcoal (indirect) with a few chunks of nice dry applewood to season things a little. She's been hooked ever since! Last year, one of her VERY squeamish friends was over for dinner so I made what I called "KFBC" (Kentucky Fried Bush Chicken, lol) and shallow fried some little strips of grouse breast after a quick soak in buttermilk and a seasoned flour dredge. Was a huge hit! Wishing I'd shot more than 2 birds that day!

I'll pass-on your well-wishes for sure, and report back in late September.

 

[.22LRGUY]

Had to dig-up some photos...this thread has me yearning for the fall! (the scorching, humid weather does too)

Dad's rig and my last grouse of 2012 (1968 Wingmaster, 22" no-choke barrel)

22LRGIRL practicing with her Savage Rascal

The bacon-wrapped grouse nuggets from a few years ago...deLICIOUS!

 

[blasted_saber]

What size shot do you guys use to hunt birds? I am not a hunter, but have always wondered. I've heard the term "birdshot" but that is tiny, and would take forever to pick all them out of the meat I would guess?

Edit: I just read some above posts and you are using 7.5 shot? Doesn't that take forever to pick out and just riddle the meat with lead balls?

Depends on the bird. Waterfowl usually BB-#4. Upland #4-#8. Shot can chew up a bird, but thats what chokes are for. You pick the choke most suitable for your expected ranges. If the choke is too tight, and the bird is stationary, aim just above the head and most of the shot string will bypass the bird leaving just a couple pellets on the bird.

Keep in mind that not every pellet hits a bird either. Some also pass through. Most birds I shoot have no pellets left in them, while some have a couple. Its typically not an issue.

 

[07blackwater]

What size shot do you guys use to hunt birds? I am not a hunter, but have always wondered. I've heard the term "birdshot" but that is tiny, and would take forever to pick all them out of the meat I would guess?

Edit: I just read some above posts and you are using 7.5 shot? Doesn't that take forever to pick out and just riddle the meat with lead balls?

Like I said I use a 410 which doesn't have that many shot. Quite often they're hit in the head or winged. To tell you the truth it's maybe 1 in 5 that has a hole through the breast but I try to aim a little high since most of the ones I shoot are are on the ground at fairly close range.

 

[Nipigon Jack]

Had to dig-up some photos...this thread has me yearning for the fall! (the scorching, humid weather does too)

Dad's rig and my last grouse of 2012 (1968 Wingmaster, 22" no-choke barrel)

22LRGIRL practicing with her Savage Rascal

The bacon-wrapped grouse nuggets from a few years ago...deLICIOUS!

Those are some great photos. Thanks for taking the time to post. I can just imagine 22LRGIRL posting photos in 20 or 30 years from now of her grandad's Wingmaster telling stories of the previous generatons of hunters in her family and of the ones to come.

 

[MusicianShooter]

Try wrapping it with bacon. Gives it some good grease.

And... you get to have bacon!

 

[slipshot56]

In most cases you get two decent sized breasts off the grouse, maybe the size of medium chicken breasts. If you go after blue grouse, which I've found at higher altitudes, I have had good success with being able to take the wings and legs.
In some cases the wings and legs are not a bad size on ruffed grouse. they are filling enough if you get 5 or 6 grouse for the trip. They are like miniature chicken legs and wings and cook up nicely on the campfire.
When cooking the breasts I like to cook them in a sauce to keep them moist. I've found they dry out before cooked on the campfire.

 

[mvarley84]

I can't wait for grouse season to open!! I always take some leave and have a long weekend up at the cottage hunting grouse. Best wild meat there is IMO. Better than duck for sure, and way easier to clean.

 

[catnthehatt]

What shot size is everyone using for Ruffed Grouse? Also, does anyone here use steel or other non-tox? I have a 20 gauge if that matters.

For close shooting ruffies over a dog with the 28's we like to use skeet loads of 9's, I find that the pellets do not penetrate the meat too far but a head shot on them and they are down!


Occasionally we will go to bigger shot and 7/8oz of it in the early season because of the leaves, etc but normally we don't have to .
Cat

 

[sunray]

"...thinking of going out and..." Hunting isn't just going out and 'bagging' anything. Got a hunting licence? Got a place to go? Etc, etc.
"...basted in lard or something..." Geezuz! Can you cook? There are lots of game cook book around, but you have to have an idea of what you're doing.

 

[jongun]

For close shooting ruffies over a dog with the 28's we like to use skeet loads of 9's, I find that the pellets do not penetrate the meat too far but a head shot on them and they are down!


Occasionally we will go to bigger shot and 7/8oz of it in the early season because of the leaves, etc but normally we don't have to .
Cat

Great pics Cat. Hoping to get out after some birds for the first time and can't wait. Thinking about a new gun(used SxS or O/U) and a dog will come next year. For breed I've been considering Springer Spaniel or a Brittany.