...Spruce Grouse...

H4831 said:
I think you guys are selling the spruce hen (Franklin grouse) a way to cheap. Boomer, I think they are much better than track soup!
Unlike the ruffed grouse, the breast are very dark, but they are larger breasted than ruffed. At least until cold weather and snow comes, their diet is very similar to a ruffed, or commonly called willow grouse. Even the ruffed grouse tastes like poplar trees, if shot in January or February, due to poplar buds being a favourite winter food.
The franklin/spruce grouse, called spruce hen, or fool hen, in many northern communities, is so stupid it's a wonder to me that any survive. And actually, there are far fewer of them seen in most areas now, than there was at one time, on a ratio with the ruffed grouse.
The big blue grouse are much more common in BC now, than they used to be.
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I agree. Normally, we have only harvested fool hens in September or early October. I like them cut in pieces , wrapped in tin foil with butter and salt and pepper and cooked over a fire. Sure they are darker than ruffies or blues, but we have never had one that was strong flavored.
 
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Got one of each here.

I like them both. I think the Sprucies taste better early in season. Perhaps they eat more spruce as the other food sources dry up?
 
Spruce grouse are not uncommon near Cold Lake.
I was driving back from my deer hunting spot as I had to make it back into town to meet friends one Saturday afternoon.
About 2 kms from my spot on a gravel road there was a flock of about two dozen on the road. I had to slow to a crawl and hit the horn a few times to get around this curious feathered mob.
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^Everyone want's him!
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^The Spruce grouse, Fool's Hen, Franklin's grouse.
 
huh ^^ never seen a spruce grouse with a red head......if I did I would no not to shoot them as he would be untasty aha....O do I get disappointed when I find out its sprucy =(
 
I took my first spruce grouse of the year yesterday. I seen him, had enough time to get out load the 20 gauge. Talk to it and name it Steve. I had just got of night shift, I was a little off. lol Yeah I shot Steve lol.
 
caperaway said:
Not allowed to shoot spruce grouse here...DNR says they're too stupid.Scared they'd be wiped out.
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Arrogant attitude of NS/DNR sir.
Here in Alberta the limits for spruce grouse are generous (Edit: daily 5) because most hunters by thier own choice decide not to shoot them. Mostly because they are just too easy to get close to, and taste less good compared to other small game. If anyone wants to shoot/eat spruce grouse I say go to it, & you can have my share as well.
Pretty sure Saskatchewan has a season on them as well with higher limits (Edit: daily 10) than other grouse/partridge.
I think NS is alone in this regard.
 
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Got 2 Spruce and 1 Ruffie today while out looking for deer.

My first Grouse since I was a child.

The wife is putting the Spruce in a salt bath as we speak.
 
An ounce or two of "fireball" liquor is great for frying them in... *don't use too much* A friend's girl had accidentally mis understood the ounce with a 26oz bottle... That's not as tasty!
 
I don't think the spruce grouse are too gamey. Different taste than ruffies, yes, but I don't see the need for milk baths. Man up! Haha :p
 
Not once you clean them......spruce meat is very dark coloured



windage said:
Out of all the times I have been hunting, I have never taken a Spruce grouse or even seen one. I have shot lots of Ruffed grouse and other upland birds but never a spruce. They do look alot alike so maybe I mistaken a few as being Ruffed grouse?
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