Grousery shopping

[Fisherdan]

Newer hunter looking for tips, tricks, wives-tales and stories!

Was out in 406 earlier today and saw quite a few grouse. It might turn out to be a really good season. Several ruffies throughout, and three sprucies that were hanging out together. They were super skittish... no way to get a shot off with my 22.

Some observations:
1. Unless they are moving you can’t see them with all the grass and leaves still — at least I wasn’t able to!
2. Most of the ruffed grouse I saw today, flew past silently while I was sitting still (and not in a position to do anything- haha)
3. I have generally found that if I go past where I lost track of a bird, and double back, I can sometimes bump it out of its hiding spot. But today, the skittish nature of the birds, and foliage made it a tough hunt.
4. I seem to have more luck finding birds in the afternoon. Never in the morning.

Was a beautiful day with a nice dusting of snow. Pooch enjoyed the walk, and definitely looking forward to trying again soon.

[1stLand]

Its a good year for Grouse. Today I saw them under trees.

A bunch gave themselves away by moving through bushes, otherwise I wouldnt have seen them.


Also using a .22

[onetreeman]

Last 3 trips out we have come in to many good groups of Ruffies between 4-8 birds.

Finding them in mature spruce forest slightly north facing with mossy floor and lots of those red bunch berries. The bunch berries grow very low to the ground 3-4" high with green leaves and a single stem of 3-4 little red berries.

Every single bird shot with the bow was full of them.



My method is:
-slow moving in key terrain, move 10 steps and scan the bottom of every tree or dark cover spot.
-listen for their very soft alarm chirps, they will do this right before flushing. If I hear it I stop and try to pin point. Usually the bird will stay still until after a minute and start to slowly walk. That's when their head movement gives them away.
-Later morning to mid afternoon seems to be the best, Early morning they are up in a tree which is risky with the bow.
- If they flush I find they go 30-40 yards and sit tight. Probably up in a tree 20 feet off of the ground.
- If one bird takes off don't forget to check if there is more close by before rushing off after it.

Hope that helps!



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[Buckhorn2]

Ruffy numbers are definately up this year in the areas i hunt. Im probably going to spook alot of deer. Im the guy who will ruin couple hours of my deer hunt if a ruffed grouse gives me a shot i also find they dont fly too far and alot of times if you sit, they will circle back.


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[Blackacre]

New hunter here as well - in fact first time ever hunting was last Saturday. I went out just west of Sandy McNabb campground in the Bluerock Wildland Provincial Park. I ranged pretty far out and doubled back in a zig-zag manner to cover as much area as I could. After about three hours I finally spotted a ruffie sitting on a log about 60 yards away. Tried for a headshot with my .22, but, unfortunately I missed and the Ruffie took off.

I went through Aspen stands and conifers and the mixed edges of both, saw three deer, a ton of cows, stepped in a bunch of cow patties, heard what sounded like a moose call, but I guess could have been a hunter making that call, or even a weird-ass cow perhaps.

Anyway, didn't see any more grouse until I was about 100 yards from the road, walking through tall grass and about 7 of them just exploded out of the grass all around me. Scared the bejesus out of me, I nearly offloaded into my shorts.

That's when I realized that they are clearly out there, I just have to learn to stalk and spot them properly instead of just lumbering around in the woods like a drunken bear.

Still, all things told, had a damn good first time hunting even if I ended up just ordering a pizza for dinner instead of eating fresh grouse.

[Jalan]

Same area I hunt them in. I find more spruce around Sandy area.

Better off going slow and scanning if you don't have a dog. I also have quite a bit of luck on horseback as I can spend my time watching for them as the horse does all the work.

[West O'5]

Originally Posted by Buckhorn2

Ruffy numbers are definately up this year in the areas i hunt. Im probably going to spook alot of deer. Im the guy who will ruin couple hours of my deer hunt if a ruffed grouse gives me a shot i also find they dont fly too far and alot of times if you sit, they will circle back.


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I wouldn’t fret too much over ruining your deer hunt,I’m a firm believer that gunshots don’t necessarily scare deer and they don’t know the difference between a gunshot and thunder is my only logical conclusion?

[bitterrootfly]

Originally Posted by onetreeman

Last 3 trips out we have come in to many good groups of Ruffies between 4-8 birds.

Finding them in mature spruce forest slightly north facing with mossy floor and lots of those red bunch berries. The bunch berries grow very low to the ground 3-4" high with green leaves and a single stem of 3-4 little red berries.

Every single bird shot with the bow was full of them.



My method is:
-slow moving in key terrain, move 10 steps and scan the bottom of every tree or dark cover spot.
-listen for their very soft alarm chirps, they will do this right before flushing. If I hear it I stop and try to pin point. Usually the bird will stay still until after a minute and start to slowly walk. That's when their head movement gives them away.
-Later morning to mid afternoon seems to be the best, Early morning they are up in a tree which is risky with the bow.
- If they flush I find they go 30-40 yards and sit tight. Probably up in a tree 20 feet off of the ground.
- If one bird takes off don't forget to check if there is more close by before rushing off after it.

Hope that helps!



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I’ve been finding them in the same spots on my farm in 312, for sure an up year for birds.

[DisplacedCaper]

A good tip is they never fly far when flushed I find. Walk in the general direction they flew and usually find it again quickly...(usually).

I loved hunting them with my old lab before he passed. He flushed a lot that I would have walked right past had he not been with me I got a new lab last year in hopes to do that again, but this time around with kids and schedules I just couldn’t get him out enough and unfortunately decided to rehome him to another member in which he seems to be thriving!
My plan is to take my 4 year old out for his first grouse walk this year. Pretty excited, even if we don’t see anything just the nice walk with him in the woods will be a great memory. Glad to see this thread!
Good luck to everyone!



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[Fisherdan]

Some great tips... Thanks everyone!
Every time I head out, I learn a little bit more. But it’s fantastic to hear other people’s input.
Next time, I will go slower... I felt that I was going fairly slow already, but I think I need to slow down more and try pausing once in a while as suggested earlier. And try letting the bird expose itself rather than always bump it out.
Onetreeman, I’m really impressed that you are hunting them with a bow. Well done!