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11-13-2017, 07:58 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: calgary
Posts: 1,521
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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?
What number of birds are you seeing??
Thanks.
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11-13-2017, 08:01 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Fort McMurray, AB
Posts: 2,514
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Way different Location than you but up here numbers are high. See 12-30 each day deer hunting.
__________________
Be sure of your target and what lies beyond.
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11-13-2017, 10:24 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: calgary
Posts: 1,521
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight01
Way different Location than you but up here numbers are high. See 12-30 each day deer hunting.
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Wow! Maybe we need to open our eyes. Hopefully, find another area is the answer.
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11-13-2017, 12:31 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Uh, guess? :)
Posts: 26,739
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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.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DevilsAdvocate
In this case Oki has cut to to the exact heart of the matter!
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11-13-2017, 12:58 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WMU 250
Posts: 745
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WE are seeing far fewer ruffies this year. Last year they were on every trail or road, it was crazy.
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11-13-2017, 02:39 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NE Calgary
Posts: 115
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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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11-13-2017, 05:03 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Fort McMurray
Posts: 59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight01
Way different Location than you but up here numbers are high. See 12-30 each day deer hunting.
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I’m up in your location, and am having bad luck with Grouse, definitely not seeing anywhere near those numbers.
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
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11-13-2017, 05:25 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Half Moon Lake ( North )
Posts: 1,454
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Definitely down, not seeing many.
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11-13-2017, 05:28 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Communist state
Posts: 13,245
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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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11-13-2017, 06:28 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Fort McMurray, AB
Posts: 2,514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mckenzieclan
I’m up in your location, and am having bad luck with Grouse, definitely not seeing anywhere near those numbers.
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
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PM coming your way.
__________________
Be sure of your target and what lies beyond.
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11-13-2017, 06:35 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: With my dogs
Posts: 4,545
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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.
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alacringa
"This Brittany is my most cherished possession — the darndest bird-finder I have ever seen, a tough and wiry little dog with a choke-bored nose and the ability to read birds’ minds." -Jack O'Connor
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11-13-2017, 06:50 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,338
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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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11-13-2017, 07:38 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Fort McMurray
Posts: 59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight01
PM coming your way.
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Thx Flight01,...Good luck for the rest of the season,...
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11-13-2017, 08:41 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 79
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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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11-13-2017, 11:55 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mckenzieclan
I’m up in your location, and am having bad luck with Grouse, definitely not seeing anywhere near those numbers.
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
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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
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11-14-2017, 12:30 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,135
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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.
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11-14-2017, 12:34 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: rollyview
Posts: 7,860
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got my limit in 330 this weekend
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11-22-2017, 05:17 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mckenzieclan
I’m up in your location, and am having bad luck with Grouse, definitely not seeing anywhere near those numbers.
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
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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...
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11-22-2017, 05:22 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,747
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Numbers around the Edmonton are seem to have tanked. Still managed to get a few but nothing like last year.
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01-06-2018, 08:52 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 231
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I've decided not to bother with grouse this year, since the numbers are so low. Hopefully they are back stronger next year.
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11-22-2017, 07:23 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 5,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Positrac
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...
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They probably finished all the berries inside the bush and now are coming out to eat clover on the side of the roads.... Last year it was opposite - lots of birds before the snow hit the grounds and then - boom! - they were all gone!
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11-22-2017, 08:43 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: With my dogs
Posts: 4,545
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Decent #s of grouse where the bearberries and junipers are sticking out above the snow.
__________________
alacringa
"This Brittany is my most cherished possession — the darndest bird-finder I have ever seen, a tough and wiry little dog with a choke-bored nose and the ability to read birds’ minds." -Jack O'Connor
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