Ruffed grouse numbers
Myself and a buddy have been out west and south of Calgary a few times this year and not seeing a lot of birds. Been doing some research and found that they have a population cycle that is independent of food supply or other factors. Just wondering if we're blind and walking past birds or if the numbers are down this year. We make sure to stop and stand for a couple minutes, watch both on the ground and in the trees, try to parallel each other about 30 yards apart. We were out after the snow and saw lots of deer tracks etc. but nothing that looked like bird tracks. Maybe we're just in the wrong area? :thinking-006:
What number of birds are you seeing?? Thanks. |
Way different Location than you but up here numbers are high. See 12-30 each day deer hunting.
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I've been out three times for Grouse south/west of Calgary. Seen two, one of which I shot (dog spotted him in a tree)
So what's the secret? NOT asking for a location, or even a direction. But are there some things I should be doing, paying attention to? Since the snow I've been going out later morning, early afternoon, trying to stick to mixed coniferous/deciduous areas with some sun exposer/south facing. Mostly 406/K country. Walking slowly, trying to check both ground and trees, Suggestions? Thanks. |
WE are seeing far fewer ruffies this year. Last year they were on every trail or road, it was crazy.
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Don't know where abouts in 406 you've been looking okotokian but I've seen great numbers for birds in there, all types of birds at all types of day. Once we got away from the busier access point into the more isolated places.
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Too much grass . Now with the snow they are burrowed under . Also I suspect less than last year . Still getting 2-3 every time out but hard to spot them
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Have to beat the bush all day long for a couple,...tried early morning, mid day, and last light,...luck hasn’t changed. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thx, Jonathan |
Definitely down, not seeing many.
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They're in the bush. I don't see any on the road but I see lots in the bush while walking game trails still hunting whitetails.
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Have been finding good numbers in some spots, but depends on the spot and on the day. Limited in 406 second time out back in Sept. I think they're moving around a fair bit. A good dog definitely helps.
That said, I took the dog out on Sat for grouse and we only got one, then when I went out for deer on Sunday there were grouse and tracks everywhere. |
On my run I have 3 roads one is unbelievable with ruffled grouse one is a mix of both and the other one is sharp tail grouse I think there called there every where never seen them in any other area I've hunted
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They are definitely on the downswing of their cycle around Calgary at least. This is my third season hunting, and I've barely seen any this year. Last year I got a few, the year before I saw plenty. I've heard stories about people whacking them with sticks the year before that. They're still out there (just a tip; a .308 is not for grouse!) but they're a lot harder to find this year.
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The further I got from Calgary the more ruffles I found.
Also no shortage of sharp tail this year in the east. Was seeing 50-80 at a time deer hunting. |
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I second flight01 for birds up this way, me and a buddy each got our limit of ruffies and spruce one day and the next I went out alone and came across a group of 15 birds in 20ft of each other . Def lots around |
Saw up to 6 a day in 400 in the early season. Lately haven’t seen any birds.
The turkeys are sure vocal!! Looking forward to filling a tag. |
got my limit in 330 this weekend:sHa_shakeshout:
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Ive only seen 5-6 since hunting season opened, maybe another 2-3 but on land where the landowner wont let you hunt them. Numbers in my area are way down this year.
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I am a long ways north of you guys and I'm not seeing grouse where I have had a lot of luck over the years.
I and a buddy have gone three times now and so far haven't see one bird. In past years we would limit out if we hunted hard in the same area we are hunting now. They just aren't there this year. |
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North of Edson Ruff numbers way down, still a few spruce hens.
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Just east of Lloydminster, haven't seen a huntable population in years.
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Hunted for one week in early October north of Fox Creek, seen very few grouse.
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West of Edmonton along the Pembina the numbers are way down from the last few years as well.
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Went out today but only had 2.5 hours, seen 2 birds, got one! This is the first time I was able to go hunting ruffies this year, so compare to last year this time of the year I would say there are not as many as the year before...
But never the less, really enjoyed the walk thru the woods on a nice sunny day! |
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I went the first two months of the season seeing a couple birds a day at best. I commented on another thread how the Grouse hunting was much worse than last year. I’ve now probably spotted 60-80 birds in the last 3 trips out in this area. They appear to be everywhere and I’m hunting some of the same spots I did early in the season, so who knows... |
Numbers around the Edmonton are seem to have tanked. Still managed to get a few but nothing like last year.
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