2021 grouse hunt

KGB · #1 10-11-2021, 01:38 PM

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!

Chahmane007 · #2 10-11-2021, 04:18 PM

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

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Dan4570 · #3 10-11-2021, 04:24 PM

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.

north american hunter · #4 10-11-2021, 05:51 PM

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

OL_JR · #5 10-11-2021, 06:09 PM

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.

Pioneer2 · #6 10-11-2021, 06:17 PM

Dry spring good hatch.

ADHAM · #7 10-11-2021, 09:38 PM

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

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7magtime · #8 10-12-2021, 03:54 PM

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

M.C. Gusto · #9 10-13-2021, 09:23 AM

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.

Phezman · #10 10-13-2021, 09:44 AM

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?

StiksnStrings · #11 10-13-2021, 10:33 AM

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.

jungleboy · #12 10-13-2021, 10:51 AM

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.

58thecat · #13 10-17-2021, 03:28 PM

The 410 is 55 years old and still puts the smack down.
Awesome time of the year to be out and about!

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-JR- · #14 10-17-2021, 04:31 PM

We were out deer hunting and came across a male ruff doing his dance in front of 8 females , all the years of hunting I never seen this before in the wild.He looked twice the size with his feathers all out doing his courtship.
We had a good feast for lunch from a different group we came across.