An introduction to grouse

Just back from my first time grouse hunting.

A big thanks to fellow board members and previous trip
reports for helping in successful hunt.

The initial idea was to paddle canoe, make short portage and
travel 3 lakes in. After hearing forecast tho i played it safe; car camping it
was. Weather overall was def winter-like up there (WMU31). With one
night dipping down to –14.! So glad id brought hot-tent.:D
New Remington 870 in 20 gauge with 26’’ barrel and modified
choke worked well. Was looking at the Savage Stevens Model 555 O/U
but that would have been an additional 500+ $.....maybe nxt yr.

Id left Southern Ontario just after 6 am and got to the site
around 3:45 pm. Had enough time to set-up tent/tarp and get my wood cut. That
night a low pressure system came through dumping about 5 cm of snow. (welcome to
winter:thumbup:!) I spent the nxt two days covering many kilometers of
trails/forest with not even a hint of a bird.:whacked:
Was pretty tough goin with snow on the ground walkin with
winter boots/ multiple layers. Iam sure birds were there but to my inexperienced eyes/skill
set, they were non existent. Started to think these mythical birds as being as elusive as
those non co-operative winter specs.
Not until the third day did they start to appear.
I walked approx 5 k everyday and usually saw some birds. Was
awesome taking everything in.Was so fortunate to also have met local trapper and wife too.
What an incredible pair they were.Gentleman is 71 and worked at a dizzying pace. Felt bad asking
him so many questions as he was very busy and with daylight at a premium (especially
after time change) he was so nice to accommodate all my inquiries.
Once again i was so blessed to have spent time in the forest,
making friends, getting a few of these beautiful birds,
and taking in one last paddle. Cant wait till nxt season!
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Great job! That fry pan looks pretty tasty.

Love the tent set up, looks warm.

That's a tougher intro to grouse then many of us had I'm sure. A little snow is nice, a lot is a pain.

Well done and congrats .

TD

Great pictures. looks ,like you have a great setup.

Thanks kindly guys.


Hi Species,
These were done up in Cajun style fish
crisp. Def tasty. My favourite way to do so
far is light olive oil,salt /pepper,garlic
and rosemary.

Nice report. Here we have an outdoorsman who hunts like an actual outdoorsman. You earned those birds. :thumbup:

Birds were likely holed up tight to the trunks of evergreens protecting themselves from wind and snow and as northern birds dont usually flush, you wouldn't have spotted them.

Glad you finally found some and it looks like a great trip

Thanks guys.

Incredible how these birds can disappear like that.
Have to say, while those first two days
were certainly challenging. It was very cool
to have been covering ground in the snow blanketed
forest. Saw two very close/ fast rabbits bolt in front of me.
(no shots taken) i was wayyyyy too slow. lol

And when weather did turn, it was so exciting to
see birds. I count myself very lucky.
Had friends up in area on quads (lg group) earlier in month
and they saw 8 all wknd.

That's a great story. Only one thing missing - a bird dog. :)

Very nice pictures reminds me when I use to take clients out on overnight camping trips dog sledding . Everything always taste better cooking over a woodstove or fire pit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yellow dog

Very nice pictures reminds me when I use to take clients out on overnight camping trips dog sledding . Everything always taste better cooking over a woodstove or fire pit.

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There is a quote that goes something like: Hunger is the best sauce.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adipose

Thanks guys.

Incredible how these birds can disappear like that.
Have to say, while those first two days
were certainly challenging. It was very cool
to have been covering ground in the snow blanketed
forest. Saw two very close/ fast rabbits bolt in front of me.
(no shots taken) i was wayyyyy too slow. lol

And when weather did turn, it was so exciting to
see birds. I count myself very lucky.
Had friends up in area on quads (lg group) earlier in month
and they saw 8 all wknd.

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I was out on Friday after a 6-8 inch snowfall. I flushed a heard of birds on an "island" surrounded by beaver meadows and ponds. They turned into ghost because they didn't leave the forest but I never saw a single feather or heard a flush after the initial ones. That missed shot will haunt me until October if that's the last time I get out this season.

Hi Yellowdog,

thanks!
have to agree, food does taste better cooked
over woodstove or campfire.
my favourites are walleye, specs and now grouse.
heck, even toasted bagels and cheese are inspiring.:D

Hi Sharon,
thanks! having bird dog would be awesome.

Hi KF,
i recall that quote as “hunger is the best chef”
but i may have it wrong.

hope your able to get out again.
your reports are always very informative and great reads.

Adipose

Glad you enjoyed your first grouse hunt and impressed with your outdoor accommodation skills.
I have shot a number of grouse over the years and missed a good number too.
The most memorable grouse hunt etched in my mind is not one that I did but came across while moose hunting. An elderly couple were walking the logging road I was on returning to camp as they were looking to tag a few grouse for their Sunday dinner. They were enjoying a moment in time traveling the logging road together as they had throughout their lives. The gentleman was carrying a single shot 410.
Hope when age doesn’t allow me to work the woods anymore but my health still allows mobility I too hope to still enjoy such a hunt.


Ed

x2 - 'Birds were likely holed up tight to the trunks of evergreens protecting themselves from wind and snow and as northern birds dont usually flush, you wouldn't have spotted them.'


Every bird I've flushed in the last two weeks, with significant snow on the ground, were from single large pines, about 10ft. up.
Not much of a chance for my mutt either.

D.

Well done. Love late season grouse hunting, everyone else has moved on to other things. The weekend warriors got their fill, the moose hunters got their itchy trigger fingers scratched before heading off to camp, and the fairweather boys are in front of the fireplace at home.

Perfect time to get out on snowshoes and make tracks.

My favorite days are cold nights, cool mornings with sun, they hang out in the bare tree tops sunning themselves. Got a few more hunts to go with my lil guy and dog before the season is out.

Great job on the hunt. Looks like you had quote the time up there, not to mention you bagged a nice spruce grouse. Congrats and welcome to upland game hunting!

Thanks guys!

Thats a great story ET1. Thanks for sharing.
I also hope iam able to enjoy our outdoors
well into golden yrs.
And thanks for tips guys. Ive gotta a lot to learn.
Wish i had not waited until my 40s to start
this old tradition. Everything in its time i suppose.

I guess as the season winds down it becomes even more
challenging. Id sure love to get up for last hunt on shoes
and perhaps be there for opening day of specs!:D

Sweet little setup you have there. Definitely earned any birds you took, and I'm sure they tasted even better after the effort put into them. Tried my first grouse hunt this fall and I'm hooked! Hoping to get out for a few more before the seasons out.

Cheers

Well done! Great write-up.

Looks like a great trip and I really enjoyed the story and pics.

Sounds like you had a great trip! I just got my hunting license this weekend and once I get my PAL from the RCMP (3 months :S) I hope I can get out and do a little shooting myself. Thanks for taking the time to post this!

great setup looks like the hunting thing is new to you, but certainly not the outdoors thing. I wish I had a tent setup like that.
you earned those birds, and many more. good luck for the rest of the season!!

Thanks guys!

yep, this was my first hunting trip.
completed courses few months ago.
ya, hot- tent is luxurious. a huge improvement to
tarp and open fire. even that tho has its appeal.
well, until about –30/-40. :D LOL
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Fantastic report and awesome pictures adipose. I have a feeling you will be posting more good stuff in the near future and we will love seeing those ones as well. :)

Mmmmmmm....... Grouse ♥ ♥ ♥