...by a GROUSE?
Yesterday I packed a lunch, grabbed my bow and some blunts, and headed off to the forest for a hike and stump shoot. As I was strolling down an abandoned logging road, I heard a large bird fly into the road behind me about 15 yards away.
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/lwscott/grouse-1.jpg)
I saw it was a male Blue Grouse and I paused to observe the bird, thinking I wish it were open season.
The bird immediately made purring sounds and began moving cautiously toward me. Having my camera packed away, I laid down my bow and reached for my camera. By the time I had my camera ready, the grouse was circling me within arms reach continuing to purr (or "growl").
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/lwscott/grouse-2.jpg)
As I knelt to snap a close-up of the bird, he flew right into my face and I knocked it away with my arm. I stood up quickly and it continued to circle me and attack my legs and chest several times in the next 3-4 minutes.
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/lwscott/grouse-3.jpg)
Once I even kicked it like a football sending it tumbling head over tail 10 feet away. But it kept coming and coming and coming. It probably made 8-10 attacks. Eventually, it got enough of me and took flight into a nearby tree.
I concluded it was acting this way since breeding season is coming on and he must have thought I was his competition.
If that silly fool keeps playing around like this, he will likely end up as dinner for some critter.
or...you sat on its nest. :saywhat:
I had one bluff charge me while walking a logging road out of a trout stream. It was about this time of year maybe a little later. It scared me at first cause it ran at me with its neck blowed up just out of the blue. I thought it was one of those funky lizards you see on the animal shows with the puffed up necks. After a minute it took off down the hollow. I saw other movement and assumed it was babies. One can't be to carefull. :scared:
sounds like homicide would have been justified, lol. My darn roosters do the same thing in the spring. You are right about ending up as dinner, my dogs that will ignore the chickens the rest of the year end up killing a rooster or two in self defense when they start their spring fever.
No, but I was charged by an armadilo once....seriously. I laughed so hard I bought passed out.
One year on the last week of Turkey season I was walking a logging road out after the Turkeys had won the morning duel and a Turkey hen ran at me popping and purring. She would get to within a few feet and the fly up at me. I backed away and when I got about twenty yards away I could see the quail size poults she was protecting. Needless to say I almost gaffed her in self defence. She was only doing what she was supposed to do,protecting her young.RC
RC,
Getting attacked by a 20 lb. turkey would be a great deal more frightening than an attack from a 2 lb. grouse. :(
NO THANKS! :pray:
There was an article in last month's Wildlife in N.C. magazine that described a man who has been regularly approached by grouse on his land. Seems that one particular bird hears him on his 4-wheeler and quite often comes for a visit. The magazine has several pictures of the grouse sitting on his head, hand, etc..
They just never come around when you're toting a 20-gauge....
Had the same thing happen while wading in a small stream I was in close to shore and one lunged at me with its neck all blown up and wings flapping like crazy-almost had to go looking for a change of waders! Maybe one of the mods should move this post?
Attacked by a Grouse - ONCE! :biglaugh:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Blutck/moose002.jpg)
Oh yeah Lon,I got jumped by a female partage while bear hunting in Que'bec 3 years ago.You get around their nests in spring time.They are ready to brawl.She actuly pecked my boot about 5 times aggressivly..I bet they don't do that to brother yote to offen and get away with it huh?.Pretty cool pics you got there too.bowdoc
I got swooped down upon by an Owl a few times while calling Coyotes. I was using rabbit distress calls while sitting on the ground sitting very still. With a little movement I can see how the Owl thought I was a easy meal! He flew down out of nowhere, scared the living crap out of me!
Is it mating season????????? Maybe he liked your plumage.
I was attacked by a great horned owl,full size adult,I was pheasant hunting in South Dakota.I was walking through this small woods,where they had a junkyard,I saw a rabbit going from one thing to another,and it was open season with a small game license,I waited for the rabbit to come out in the open again,and shot it,it was only about 10yds. away from me,I started walking towards it to pick it up,and a course I had pheasant tails sticking out of my vast because I had gotten three pheasant,I got about within 3yds. of the rabbit nnd the great horned owl came out of this tree and flew at me,I thought he was going for my chest he stuck out his talens (SP),and then he lifted them up to my face,I fell backwards and shot at the same time,I wasn't going to take any chances,I told the conservation officer,and he said it looks like it was a fight over the food,and you had no choice ,he could've taken out your eyes and that's what he was going for.I got to keep one feather from him.
I been nose to nose with a black bear ,but he didn't attack me,he just thought I smelled like pepperoni and sausage pizza !oops my fault.
now I wish I would have keep all the fathers from him,I don't think it's legal ,and the conservation officer probably would not have allowed it,that bird is probably on display someplace.
Carl
Lon if that pictured grouse is 2 lbs, I guess the 200 lbs deers were only fawns.. :scared:
We dont call them Stupid Chickens round here for nothing. Some times they walk right up to you in hunting camp it aint even fair.
Hey Skinner is that a handle or your last name. My family comes from Nova Scotia.
We don't have grouse that I'm aware; but, the same thing happened to me with a javelina once. It came after me and would not go away. Strange behaviour for sure & just too close to shoot.
i think i recognize that bird. he's a trouble maker.
Let me know when your about to lay yer eggs.We'll film it and make millions! LOL Just be thankful the elk rut is long passed.Seriously thogh thats a really cool experience.Lucky you had your camera for that one.Thanks for the pics.
Handle. I have my trapping licence as well.
My mom's family (Stewart) are from NS. Still have relatives down in Prospect, Lwr Sackville and friends in Wolfville and Antigonish. Nice Country down that way and friendly people.
Skinner.
Badgers mostly Had one put me in the truck, no weapon, last year I shot one with the bow, bad shot and he didn,t like it, last shot was luck 3 yards coming at me, they have no since of humor. Pulled a bald eagle out of a foot hold trap some rancher put to close to a dead critter just one claw in the trap finally got a heavy coat over and got it pinned down to the ground I thought that bird was going to whip me for awhile.
Charlie Lamb was attacked by a bread bag once, and its better than any attack story you'll read about here!!!
:scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:
Cool story for sure. Around here ruffed grouse come running to an idling four wheeler this time of year. I guess it sounds like a rival male drumming his wings...
i was sitting in my tree stand a couple octobers ago and observed a fall "lady bug hatch". a little later a saw a bat fly by me. then 2 bats. then a landed on my foot very briefly. i set a new record for decending 20'.
Lon, I remember the first time that I discovered what a grouse was. Growing up my whole life in Louisiana I had never seen or heard one. When I was first assigned up in Eastern Washington I was awe struck by the mountains. Did some hiking up there and the first one I ever flushed, well lets just say I thought a lion was trying to crawl up my pants, so my quick thinking I decided to fill them with something smelly and run away. If those things were as big as they sound, I would pack a gun for protection from them.
Dan
I'd have been eating blue grouse.
DR
Thank goodness you did'nt get hurt.
Braaaahaaahhaaaa!
I've never been actually attacked by any critters yet, but I did notice an EVIL looking Chipmunk eyeballin' me yesterday while flinging a few arrows down at the far end of the marina. After reading this post I reckon I'll pay him more attention next time. He could have been about to charge me! LOL!!
My guess is he recognized your fletching... could have been an old buddy! lol
Like RC, I had an experience with a turkey once. She must have saw me coming and covered up her 8-10 poults. Once I got within 10 feet of her, it was ON! When I was in a stare down with a turkey at 10 feet, repeatedly bluff charging me, all I could think was "What the heck is going on!" Wierd experience for sure. Didn't know if I should be worried or laugh.
I called my wife a grouse once...ONCE!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by blueslfb:
Is it mating season????????? Maybe he liked your plumage.
No thats funny right there!!! :biglaugh:
(insert off color remark)
Never been attacked by a grouse before, you managed to get some very good pics though...thanks for sharing
Jake
Maybe he thought you smelled...fowl? Sorry. Joke week on Prairie Home Companion last weekend...
Hmmm, it could have been my fletching. All arrows were orange and yellow... :saywhat: :knothead:
I also had an experience with an owl. I was in my deer stand hunting a creek crossing.I could see down the dry run of the creek when I saw an owl coming down the creek. His wings were wide open and he was gliding.Beautiful I thought until he kept coming.When he almost knocked my bow out of my lap I waved and yelled at him. I`m sure he was after the beaver string silencers on my bow in my lap. I almost wet my drawers.RC
a year ago Valentine's Day I had a run in with a cow moose I was photographing. This is the last shot I got of her before she was on top on me... I fell in the snow and started kicking... ah the memories...
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/danceswithmoose013.jpg)
Owls will fly routes and memorize them; and then they can fly in the dark; and in low light. If you sit on their flight route; you can get run into.. after storms owls often hit downed trees in their path. A persons head is much softer..
I was stalked and attacked by a mountain lion while I was elk hunting. I saw it at 12 yards; and hit it in the mouth at 8 : with a zwickey delta.
I have no idea why that arrow hit it in the mouth; but it kept it busy for the next arrows.
long story- sometime I will figure out how to post the pictures.
I have had bears run up my stand tree and lift up my treestand. That is a pucker factor! Small boars will often use a treestand to lay in while the big boars come in to feed at a bait. I have had to shoot smallish boars that tried to kick me out of my treestand.
I just plain run from moose. They are in my mind the most likely to play 'pink between the toes' with you.
A month and half or so ago; I had elk coming into my barn and eating the alfalfa. They started bedding in there; and when I tried to scare them off.. one tried standing up on its back legs and hitting me.
5 months to pay back....... :)
Now spiders... they are the most dangerous; and they are no good pan fried and dipped in ranch dressing like the grouse are!! :archer:
Been attacked by Owls and Redtailed hawks sitting in my tree stand.........luckily they always veered off at the last secong,and some were at the VERY last second.Sometimes I think they notice the whites of my eyes,or some other small part as a critter they eat(treerat)and at the last second realize they're mistake.............easpecially when that little white dot turns into a 200lb lump with tentacles waiving all over the place to try to dodge a faceful of talons.
First ruffed grouse I ever killed was as a kid walking through the woods with a homemade spear. The grouse came at me from the brush, wings out, clucking something fierce! I didn't know she was defending a nest. I took her home impailed on the spear. Dad made me pluck it, gut it and cook it. Then he told me to next time wait for grouse season!
Dan
I know a man from SW Wisconsin that has video footage of a ruffed grouse attacking him. This bird aggressively approached him twice where he parks his truck during Spring turkey season. The 3rd time, he brought his vid camera. Before he even got out of the truck the bird landed on the hood and started going crazy on the wind shield. As he opened the truck door to get out, the bird attacked him. He went back into the truck and filmed the bird coming into the truck chasing him across the bench seat and out the passenger side door. The funny part is him laughing so damn hard he can hardly keep the camera on the bird. He hasn't seen the bird since that, it probably tried attacking a coyote. :D
QuoteOriginally posted by Brian Krebs:
I was stalked and attacked by a mountain lion while I was elk hunting. I saw it at 12 yards; and hit it in the mouth at 8 : with a zwickey delta.
I have no idea why that arrow hit it in the mouth; but it kept it busy for the next arrows.
long story- sometime I will figure out how to post the pictures. :archer:
You will definatly have to post some pics of that encounter!!!
wheeeewwwwwww....That would be a little unerving to say the least!!
While I was shooting my 3-D target with my son last year we saw a Red Fox come out of nowhere and pounce on something next to our target (only 10yds away from us). We thought he caught a mouse...my son and I watched him for a minute when I realized he was eating my arrow! This happened to be an arrow I harvested a rabbit with a few days prior...maybe he caught wind of the rabbit scent or was attracted to the turkey fletching. Either way it was worth the arrow to see this!
Dino
Hit me in the mouth with your fist, and you better get ready to rumble. Hit me in the mouth with a Zwickey, and I`ll back off. :scared:
i was charged by 3 trumpeter swans, they wernt joking, they had young and came roaring across a pond. i put a 10ga round right infront of me and them, big splash. they stopped but didnt give up till i was gone. i belive if i had stayed i would have had to kill one or all. they have some serious hooks on those paddles.
same thing has happend with sandhill cranes, but they were in season so the situaton was quickly defused and the oven preheated
I was once attacked twice by the same squirrel and had to kill it
I have been chased by a badger, a possum, and a spruce grouse. I bumped into a mama moose while portaging a canoe through a northern bog, she was standing her ground to protect her calf. No damage, just a stroke. I had an arrow ripped off my hanging bow by a screech owl. But last spring was the worst. I was molested in a bad way by a roving band of hoodlum gay ticks. It's too terrible to even talk about. Tuck your pants in your boots, practice safe turkey hunting.
Laddy, those ticks are the worse.Ive been there as well but Ive been too ashamed to discuss it till now.I was ashamed and thought it was my fault for dressing like I did.My wife laughed but the tick was tortured in a merciless manner.
I've been stalked by a fox and buzzed by an owl but my favorite was my first exposure to an actual pheasant. I was a kid and walking home at dusk across a big field. He blasted off right under me like a feathered land mine. Scared the hooey out of me.
there maybe should be a new group called PETT, people for the ethical treatment of ticks.
Years ago about dawn felt a "whoosh" by my neck in a tree stand. It was a great horned owl mistaking my ponytail (back then) for an animal. He just missed grabbing my neck, roosted in a tree nearby and looked at me for about 20 minutes trying to see if I was edible. I was really glad he veered off.
Found a porcupine in a ground blind one AM, he would not leave. Tried to sit him out, no change. So finally I started hurling sticks at him, he squeezed out a hole no bigger than my fist.
Last year an opossum repeatedly tried to enter a ground blind I was occupying, like the porky he probably had been nesting there.
It's funny, I hunt where there are lots of bears, timber wolves and grouse. Now it sounds like I'd better keep an eye on the grouse!
I have to find the old kodak pick and have someone scan it for me. But I had an 8 point buck I got a bad hit on charge me the next morning and gave me a 5 inch bruise up my left hip. I had turned sideways to protect the delicate parts as much as possible! :help:
I had thrown the bow aside and was trying to absorb the charge with my hands on his horns as he hit me. He put me to the ground and thank God he was in a weakened state. I screamed for my buddy who was helping with the search in thick brush. He ran over both surprised and laughing as I basically bulldogged him to the ground. My buddy finished him off while I held him. :eek: Don't know if could do that anymore though. Take closer shots now!
I've been attacked by owls 3 times here in Michigan and 1 time in Colorado. Thats where owlbait came from. Once in Michigan it was a pair of owls that took turns flying at my face.
Most interesting though was a vulture that was inside a box blind on public land. I heard a noise as I was walking to my stand an stopped to investigate and this big nasty bird started hissing and beating his wings on the inside of the blind. After I settled down I found a long stick to prop the door open in case he couldn't get back out the window.
A couple of years ago while bowfishing, I was pushed to the edge of Sandstone Falls in Summers co. WV by a Mama Canadian goose and all of her baby's. This set of falls is about a fifty foot drop to the rocks below, and anyone who knows this area will agree with me that you dont want to go over these falls.....The New river has killed more people than cancer and smallpox combined!!!
I didn't want to kill the ole girl in front of her kids, but when I got to the edge of the falls, I think she had enough smarts to know that when I pulled back the string on the bow and pointed it at her, the rules had changed a bit. She finally moved away from me and I escaped unscathed!!!!