Ruffed Grouse Color Phases....

[CBintheNorth]

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

Funny because I’ve always seen the red tails but always had black bands/ruffs...until this year.This year saw 3 birds with the copper bands and tail bands...2 I killed and one I passed up on the last day for next year...according to my expert American friend...copper coloured birds are usually bigger in size and brown phase ruffles are always males!

Glad you finally got what you were after.

Ruffies are truly a pretty bird when you look at them. They're downfall is that they are also delicious!

My next mount will be a red phase with black band.

[Red Bullets]

Looks like a person should go further south for the red phase grouse. There is a Ruffed Grouse Society and according to their website , and I quote..."Red-phased grouse become more prevalent in milder climates, and the gray birds are more abundant where winter climates are more severe. On the Pacific Coast from Washington south and from New York south in the Appalachians, nearly all Ruffed Grouse are red-phased."

https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/grouse-facts/

This pic is from their site. Beautifully colored bird. Seen a few over the years in central Alberta.

[whitetail Junkie]

[QUOTE=Captainkip;4068285]

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

Good for you! Is that the first time you got a copper bird with the red phase tail?...

Yes first copper with red phase. Not sure I’ve seen one with cooper and grey like the one at elk island.

Probably shot a few when I used to ground ****h them pre dog days but never cared to look close at them. Now they are a new favourite. I love the King of upland birds.

I also got my first copper/grey this fall and it was a MONSTER...by far the biggest ruffie I’ve ever shot however blew the one side of its head off pretty good which you can’t see in the picture...cool thing is these 3 grouse were all together in the same flock and they all have different colors....I saw another copper /gray grouse on my last day of hunting however just admired him and made him my goal for next year.

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

Looks like a person should go further south for the red phase grouse. There is a Ruffed Grouse Society and according to their website , and I quote..."Red-phased grouse become more prevalent in milder climates, and the gray birds are more abundant where winter climates are more severe. On the Pacific Coast from Washington south and from New York south in the Appalachians, nearly all Ruffed Grouse are red-phased."

https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/grouse-facts/

This pic is from their site. Beautifully colored bird. Seen a few over the years in central Alberta.

Yes...the greys seem to be more prevalent than red phases however even more so the grouse with the copper ruffs/tailbands are most rare...less than 8.5% I have read...I am a member of the RGS...we are in Canada too however mostly out east.

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by CBintheNorth

Glad you finally got what you were after.

Ruffies are truly a pretty bird when you look at them. They're downfall is that they are also delicious!

My next mount will be a red phase with black band.

Thanks...for sure the best...I hit wild pheasant hard in October and it’s a close toss up however the ruffies are still abit better...

[Captainkip]

I am an RGS member here in Alberta. Any more in the province on the forums?

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by Captainkip

I am an RGS member here in Alberta. Any more in the province on the forums?

I think we are few and far between out west here....you should start a chapter...your already the Captain

[3blade]

Been following this thread. Beautiful pictures. Had no idea this was a thing, I’ve always just known they come in different colors but never really paid attention to the ones I shot. Will definitely keep an eye out for different configurations from now on. New appreciation for the first game animal I hunted, thanks guys