Grouse

2treks · August 17, 2013, 05:10:00 PM

I have an upcoming bear hunt to begin on Sept 10th.
I really like to be in the northwoods this time of year.
I have always managed to bag a few grouse while spending the mid-day doing whatever.
Today I finished putting all of my arrows together for this hunt and it got me to thinking, what is the "go-to" head for grouse?
So there you have it what do you like to use?
I know many of our western hunters will pick up a grouse or two while enjoying the Elk woods, What do you use on the pointy end of your stick?

Thanks all

wingnut · August 17, 2013, 05:32:00 PM

Chuck,

I use some MA3 bobbed back about 1/2". They work great on Flu Flus.

Mike

-snypershot317- · August 17, 2013, 05:46:00 PM

well i have never hunted grouse with a bow (yet

) but for small game like rabbits, squirrels, chipmunk, and nuisance birds on the farm (starlings and house sparrows

.) i use my field point with a washer behind it; adds penetration and shocking force yet prevents snaking should one miss :rolleyes: also works great for bull frogs too

nothing fancy but hey it works for me...

August 17, 2013, 05:57:00 PM

A 160 grain blunt worked for me on a cheap cedar arrow. When hunting rough grouse it seems that they a have a predictable habit of flying straight at the nearest tree and then flying around it.

Cyclic-Rivers · August 17, 2013, 06:11:00 PM

I cant seem to hit them so I guess it doesnt really matter

Terry Green · August 17, 2013, 06:42:00 PM

I killed all mine with a WW.

Best of luck sir!!!

Rob W. · August 17, 2013, 06:48:00 PM

Wasen't it the Wild Traditions dvd where that kid killed one throwing a rock?

I figure rocks are cheaper than arrows and I would miss the same. :D

chinook907 · August 17, 2013, 07:19:00 PM

Chuck - I usually use a rubber blunt for grouse and ptarmigan, as it penetrates less with a pass through or miss. Better at bouncing off rocks also. Have used hex heads also but they'll stick in a tree or bury in the duff.

old_goat2 · August 17, 2013, 07:49:00 PM

Rubber blunt for the one I got, hit it in the back and penetrated the cavity, he took off flying and augered in about twenty yards down the hill dead as a door nail!

Archie · August 17, 2013, 07:57:00 PM

I like a blunt with a washer behind it, but I've had the tip of the arrow kink when it takes a solid hit off the edge of the washer on a shot. Years ago I busted grouse with this combo. I still consider it a viable small game whacker, but with a smaller washer. Now I'm experimenting with nylon washers, because maybe they'll break before kinking the arrow.

I just ordered a couple of RFA Talons to take with me on my upcoming Alaska trip, and hope to bag a few grouse with them.

xtrema312 · August 17, 2013, 08:48:00 PM

When we had them around in decent numbers in SW MI I used to just use field point and those adder things. Also sometime judo points. Same stuff we used on rabbits. Now I kind of like the SGT's a lot because they don't get under the cover too bad and come in a lot of point sizes.

Charlie Lamb · August 17, 2013, 09:08:00 PM

For Ruffed Grouse you can use just about any head you want. I've killed them with regular steel blunts, Judos, and HTM Rubber blunts. They are not a big bird by any stretch and are relatively easy to anchor.

For Blue and Sage grouse you really need something with a blade. Like Wingnut said, an MA3 is great for the purpose and puts them down quick.
They are really big birds and pretty dang tough.

I shot a "bomber" Sage grouse a couple of years ago with a Hex blunt. He flew at least 2 hundred yards and if I hadn't been hunting with a dog I'm not sure I'd have found him.

Orion · August 17, 2013, 09:18:00 PM

I like Swickey judos for grouse and aim for the head so as not to damage the meat. Not hunting bear this year, but grouse season here opens a week later than bear, so we need to pass on grouse the first week of bear season.

Over&Under · August 17, 2013, 09:29:00 PM

Judos for me too!
They are grouse gettin machines!

Shawn Leonard · August 17, 2013, 09:47:00 PM

Plain old blunt, I use them for most of my small game. Shawn

chanumpa · August 18, 2013, 01:24:00 AM

Zwickey Condor.My fave ,hex blunt second.

2treks · August 19, 2013, 10:49:00 AM

Thanks for all the replies.
I have come up with a match set of broadheads for bear, field points for practice and Judos for practice and grouse.
I may try to work up some blunts but I plan to travel lite so I don't want to many options to confuse me. Probably will leave the field points at home as well. I mostly stump for practice and warm ups.
Thanks all
CTT

Elkchaser · August 19, 2013, 06:07:00 PM

I carry an arrow with a judo point while I elk hunt. If I see a grouse, that's what I use or if things get slow and I want to shoot leaves and pine cones I have an arrow for that.

Brently · August 19, 2013, 11:26:00 PM

I just use a .357 case on the end of the arrow, whack them with that and they just flop over dead.

V I Archer · August 20, 2013, 04:04:00 PM

I've used .38 casings in the past, they work well. I've used "adders" behind a steel blunt when I was shooting aluminums. My new favourite is the Ace hex head. Shot a few ptarmigan while sheep hunting two years ago. Just a great, solid head that I will be using again when I go for caribou in two weeks.