Being a Texas flat lander I have no knowledge at all about Grouse. However I want to hunt them something awful. So where would a "touched" Fella go to get the best opportunities at some spruce or blues. I have never been to most western states and have no information. I figure that there are no outfitters that would let an individual come out for cheap and take up space a deer or elk hunter could occupy so I figure it would be a DIY hunt.
Any Info would be great. I plan on trying for fall of 2014.
Thanks.
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Newfoundland has a bunch of spruce grouse.
I don't go specifically hunting blue grouse, but I have killed a few (and missed a few more) while hunting elk. If you get in the high country and start to wear out boot leather, you will eventually run into grouse. Quite often, they are the dumbest birds around, but there are exceptions that will be flushing way out of bow range.
Some of the very best camp meat there is, by the way. I say camp meat because the ones I have killed have never made it home.
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I have watched several arrows fly off with these birds, never to be found again. Head shots take care of that problem, and save good breast meat.
Northern Ontario, Canada brother. Most lodges will do a DIY grouse hunt for room and board.
Probably manage to limit out most days too. Say the word and I'm in.
those forest chickens are delicious
Man that looks like a ton of fun! Nice birds guys. Ruffed grouse have been closed in MO for the past several years due to low population numbers. Wish it wasn't so.
I've always wanted to do this hunt. We have a few back home in Tennessee but they are hard to come by.
Yup, Ontario, Canada! Me and a buddy went up a few years ago out of Sault Ste. Marie and took our recurves. In short it was AWESOME!! I have shot a lot of Grouse here in Michigan but the hunting in Canada was above and beyond what we have here. We stayed in tent for a week and hunted from Wawa to White River. The bush is thick and we stayed to the two tracks and just walked. When we saw one 9 out of ten time there were many more with it. It was GREAT!
I do love to hunt grouse. I know most of the western states should have them. I find them in a verity of terrain from high elevation ridges of pines and aspens down through mid elevation oaks around here. They always are a benefit to most of my deer and elk hunts for a tasty meal. I always get a few a year during the hunts. Here is a few poor pics I took last Wednesday scouting deer and elk.
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Man how cool I may have to take trip to Ontario! I am way more into small game always have been. I am just too ADD to enjoy deer hunting as much as suddenly being surrounded by 10 squirrels all cutting and running at day break.
Southwest Colorado has a bunch. I shoot a few every year, at about 10,000' in the San Juan's in September. I miss many more than I hit, but it is great fun. Out of state small game license is $56 or by the day for $5($11 for first day). I've bumped covies of 20+ birds.
Colorado has a few up high. This one was a bonus to a mulie scouting trip west of Denver.
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Thanks for the info so far guys. And yes I do have a little bit of ADD. I always want to see whats over the next ridge.