Ruffies scarce

[Whitetail503]

Anyone else finding the Ruffies scarce this year? I can’t believe how many miles I’ve put on the last 3 Saturdays in 503 and only saw 1. Maybe on the low end of the cycle I guess.

[bezzola]

We get them every time we go out

[Smoky buck]

Not seeing many on the road but I am seeing them in the bush. Not tons but if I go for a walk I see a few.

[Wendigo]

Lots in my area , have covies of 5 running around all over.
But I also don't allow them to be hunted.

[north american hunter]

its been a decent year, a couple years ago it was much better.

[Moose Dog]

Went bushwhacking east of Edmonton for a couple hours today and the numbers seem as good as or better than last year. I've only been out the once so it might have been a fluke, haven't seen any in the yard or along the roads this year.

[Pioneer2]

In areas i frequent likely due to a wet spring and a hunting season that runs into mid January along with yahoos on quads ripping up the west country.

[Z7Extreme]

Doing good in the north. I seen 7-8 yesterday. But i dont shoot them because I'm not a huge fan of eating them and enjoy seeing them. I also like how they get the blood pumping when you dont see them and they flush from 5 feet away. Makes me feel alive. Lol

[Twobucks]

An area I hiked a bunch this spring west of Calgary
we heard constant drumming but after more than 40kms hiking it this fall I've put up just two grouse.

[KegRiver]

I'm not seeing many, less then most recent years for sure.

Not surprising with the wet spring we had.

[Donkey Oatey]

I'd say they are on the downside of their 7 year cycle. It really peaked 2-3yrs ago. This year has been pretty scarce. Saw 5 yesterday NW of Rocky.

[j335]

I found they were okay in SW Calgary in early September. Was in NE AB a week ago and they are very scarce, been a good few years so they're heading down on their cycle right now.

[kurthunter]

Low numbers around Whitecourt and Edson. 2016 was the best year Ive ever seen. Could not believe the number of birds then.

[Fwee6]

I mentioned this a few weeks ago on other Grouse threads, but chime in here as well.

In 318/320 areas where I frequent for Grouse, the numbers are by far the worst I've seen in 10 years living in AB. I've seen 2 ruffies and 1 spruce in well over 100 kms of quad trail putzing and slow walking.

Interesting enough, I saw two big flocks this past weekend while on the way up the mountain for a sheep hunt. Less Spring rain issues perhaps?