2021 grouse hunt
 

So how is everybody doing with grouse this year? Last year people were complaining, this year- crickets, lol!
I went twice to my regular spot in the past week and it was awesome! I haven’t seen so many birds in a long time! We got a limit and we missed probably a dozen or more! Using the .22 and taking head shots only. With a shotgun we would’ve limited in two hours for sure!
What we also found is that this year they are very skittish! Run like crazy the moment they see the vehicle. By the time you see the bird- it already on a move into the bush.
Never the less, buddy and I had a lot of fun! Buddy took his young lab who was so exited to retrieve the birds for us! She was also the reason why we missed a few- had to hold her down because the moment she saw us raising up the rifle- she was eager to jump ou of the truck and run, lol!

Been out couple times, Ruffed grouse everywhere. Spruce not so much. Also This year they are bigger!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've never seen so many ruffed grouse in all my life. An average day, I'm putting up at least half a dozen. A great day I see a dozen. Taken a few with the recurve this year.

I have notice there is grouse all over the place this year, Both ruffies and spruce, saw a group of 12 ruffies on saturday.

We were in peace country last week and absolutely piles of them everywhere. Most I've ever seen anyways, no one was worried about starving anytime soon that's for sure.

perfect
 

Dry spring good hatch.

I saw 10 today which I consider really good. Lots moving today.

Also saw 2 Blackbears, gorging on the last greens in the area.

Seen 55 of them within couple hours its an awesome year!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The numbers were definitely good North of Whitecourt this past weekend. I didn't fire a shot but the kids were kept busy....:)

Thank you for the report. My bird dog just died and didnt have it in me to go this year. I think ill cruise some lease roads now instead.

Hunt spots
 

I love hunting Ruffies, absolutely love it.

Trouble is, I'm new to Calgary and area and just assumed there weren't many grouse around here due to the lack of Aspen, poplar, and spruce trees.

Now that I hear differently, I'm anxious to go after some, but not sure where to try.

Would anyone be so kind as to tell me where good grouse numbers can be found close to Calgary?

We saw a couple dozen a day last week moose hunting. As KGB said, most of the birds were skittish and runners. Good see numbers way up after the last few years.

I have been out only twice this season in the Carrot cr area and have only seen 3 birds total. I also have been extra lazy and only driving the roads so that doesn’t help.

It's been a decent year for us so far as well.

(heats up frying pan...)

Took my first Spruce with a bow earlier this season. Got to see a blue grouse too, sounded like a helicopter when he took off! :lol:

I only see lots of grouse and rabbits when I leave the shotgun at home but when I do they are everywhere. They also just sit there saying shoot me

If I bring the shotgun I see one or two run/fly away

If it's a nice evening tonight I may just dust off the 410 and go see how many grouse I can find,

You need to trick your luck- leave the shotty home but bring .22 instead…:)

Went out for a couple hours today south of Thorsby and managed to bag a pair of ruffles with the old Winchester 37, 12 ga.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/WbNwS8g.jpg[/IMG]

Great pic and very nice looking old shotgun!

Male or female
 

Have seen more than usual while out for moose.
The broken tail band, male or female?
Thanks

Out in 338 I have been out twice first go round seen 30.
Second trip counted 28 that I put eyes to, counting the ones that flushed with out seeing only hearing I actually lost count.

Saw more grouse this year on our moose hunt than I've seen in years, I'm getting old and forgot my 22 this year so didn't have a feed of grouse for lunch like normal :) it sucks to get old :thinking-006:

Grouse
 

Out by swan hills 5 grouse lots of hunters out.

Another great day today, this time out near Niton Jct , we saw maybe 25 birds today.
I had a great day shooting my over under 12 ga. I know in the pic it looks like a single shot and it is but today it was mostly shooting over the birds and under the birds

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/NhxJSul.jpg[/IMG]

Also my partner and I came face to face with this fella and had a bit of a staring contest at about 10ft for about 20seconds. He wasn’t bothered too much by us ( we were sitting in my side x side ) and eventually just turned and wandered back into the trees.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/N4qlYn5.jpg[/IMG]

Awesome. I would love to see one of those guys.

Went around lodgepole today, lots around there, only took a few but could of filled up. Switched for the 410 to a 22 this year, so far I like it

Picked up a few more today but dam deer sign has me setting up cams....oh the hardships I have :)

been out 12 times out here

saw 151 grouse 2 were Sharp-tails which are closed here :test:

daily average is over 10:sHa_shakeshout:

training dogs too Buffy n Jynx :sSig_cool2:

Bill(Buffy) the birthday boy got a new over under 410 saw 18 grouse in 3 hrs

Denis (Jynx) on Friday saw 22 n 3 in dark coming home

fun year

love upland hunting:love::love:

.22 long rifle semi 4 power scope( Rem 597) :fighting0007:

head shots only

get the kids and get out there .. just saying:grouphugg:

have a great year all:character0110:

David:)

Was out yesterday doing a little scouting for deer. Saw over a dozen ruffies, four of them came home for dinner. Grouse boiled in butter yum!

Hey Dave, do you use the dog to flush the birds or to receive them?