In praise of o'l ruff

With the weather slowly beginning to feel like fall, my mind can't help but start wandering off, thinking of those magical days in the woods.
I get asked many times, "What's your favourite game to hunt"? Without question it has to be the King of game birds, the ruffed grouse.

Years ago, I use to think they got their nickname "King" because of the way they flush wildly at a moments notice and then seem to glide effortlessly away, putting every tree they can between them and harms way. Now I think it's just because they are the most versatile game bird there is with something to offer for everyone.
Mentored hunters, experienced hunters, young hunters and old, it makes no difference, they can be hunted in so many different ways by anyone willing to take on the chase.

As a kid I started hunting them with my Grandfather's bolt action .22 rifle. I'd still hunt quietly through the woods trying to find them before they saw me, so I could make a clean head shot. I'll never forget my first and the feeling of pride I felt contributing to the family table. My son Will started the exact same way, with the same gun and it was an incredible tradition and moment to share.
I have many fond memories spending countless days hunting them walking old trails with a single shot .410 or 28 gauge. I've covered many miles traversing thick alders and wild raspberry canes on the heels of my black labs, golden retrievers and springer spaniels. I'd try to keep up as they worked the heavy cover, flushing birds for this young, fast shooting wingshot, while I worked my Grandfather's old Ithaca 37, 12 gauge pump. I've taken leisurely strolls, with my fine little sxs 20 broken over the crook of my arm. I'd follow my dedicated English and Irish setters, enjoying the dogs, as they worked the cover carefully and then locked up solid on a point.
I've even taken many birds on the wing with my recurve bow.

There's almost no way I haven't hunted o'l ruff before. They're challenging and enjoyable to hunt regardless of how you pursue them and are accessible to everyone. They bring families together and have helped me forge friendships which have lasted for decades. Many a campfire has been shared with people and dogs I love at the end of the day, all because of o'l ruff. Yes they truly are the King of game birds in my book!

They are my favourite excuse to be outside. I started at my dad's heals and now my son is 10 and is keen for his chance in a few years (he can already out shoot me with a pellet gun, I had to get a scope for mine). The smell of the woods in the fall, the cold air but a warm ray of sun are the best sensations. I'm thawing the last 3 birds from last season for dinner today.

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Originally Posted by kickingfrog

They are my favourite excuse to be outside. I started at my dad's heals and now my son is 10 and is keen for his chance in a few years (he can already out shoot me with a pellet gun, I had to get a scope for mine). The smell of the woods in the fall, the cold air but a warm ray of sun are the best sensations. I'm thawing the last 3 birds from last season for dinner today.

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Yeah, my kids outshoot me all the time now. They're 21 and 22 now. I guess that's when you know you've succeeded as a parent. Haha
Good luck to you this year on your season

I had no one to teach me when I started hunting in my 20s. So when I got my first grouse I was in paradise just looking over the feathers and replaying the hunt in my head. The funny thing is I still feel that way about everyone I harvest. The problem is where I hunt them on public grounds nothing is being done to keep them around. I sent emails numerous times to the conservation authority about getting a couple of guys together to re -habilitate an area of woods voluntary on there land to benefit all game but mostly small game. Like planting trees and wild berries for example. I never was emailed back. So my question is other then changing bag limits what is really being done to support future small game hunting.

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

I had no one to teach me when I started hunting in my 20s. So when I got my first grouse I was in paradise just looking over the feathers and replaying the hunt in my head. The funny thing is I still feel that way about everyone I harvest. The problem is where I hunt them on public grounds nothing is being done to keep them around. I sent emails numerous times to the conservation authority about getting a couple of guys together to re -habilitate an area of woods voluntary on there land to benefit all game but mostly small game. Like planting trees and wild berries for example. I never was emailed back. So my question is other then changing bag limits what is really being done to support future small game hunting.

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They need to follow the efforts of organizations such as the ruffed grouse society. It's all about habitat protection and creation. By that I mean cutting trees and stimulating new, young forest growth which is where the majority of wildlife flourishes.
Also, I still feel the same way you do in that I'll still sit down and just look at the feathers of a bird I have just taken and enjoy the beauty of the moment. Yes it never gets old.

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Originally Posted by Jeff Kavanagh

They need to follow the efforts of organizations such as the ruffed grouse society. It's all about habitat protection and creation. By that I mean cutting trees and stimulating new, young forest growth which is where the majority of wildlife flourishes.
Also, .

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What it should look like......
https://youtu.be/umzLKhE1hjs
unfortunately what we got is either monoculture pine lots or old growth barren hard woods.

So when are we planning an OOD forum upland hunt in Michigan LOL

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

What it should look like......
https://youtu.be/umzLKhE1hjs
unfortunately what we got is either monoculture pine lots or old growth barren hard woods.

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That's why I love beavers as well. They create so much habitat.
I'm lucky because that's what we have at my cabin. Mid October during the woodcock migration pretty much as many points on woodcock and grouse as you have time for. We flush birds all the time just walking to the sauna, well or the outhouse.

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

So when are we planning an OOD forum upland hunt in Michigan LOL

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Was hoping to bring Michigan here as hate driving distances.

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Originally Posted by Jeff Kavanagh

I'm lucky because that's what we have at my cabin. Mid October during the woodcock migration pretty much as many points on woodcock and grouse as you have time for. .

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….waiting on the invite :thumbup:

[QUOTE=finsfurfeathers;1090478]Was hoping to bring Michigan here as hate driving distance
Nither do I, thats why I wanted to do something about habitat here in the south

Thanks to this thread, I pulled something out of my basement:
Attachment 38775
From the first grouse I ever shot; I was 12 years old and got him with a pellet gun through the head. Felt like I'd stalked an elk. I guess my Dad could see how proud I was because he stuck the wings on a board for me.

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Originally Posted by ninepointer

Thanks to this thread, I pulled something out of my basement:
Attachment 38775
From the first grouse I ever shot; I was 12 years old and got him with a pellet gun through the head. Felt like I'd stalked an elk. I guess my Dad could see how proud I was because he stuck the wings on a board for me.

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I love this story. So many of us started the same way!

Noticed a show on the tv called, "Grouse Hunting in Quebec". ... at an outfitters camp. I thought I'd watch that . Oh my gosh ,what a disappointment. No dogs and the grouse just sat on a back road. The guys walked along and shot them on the road like fish in a barrel, then congratulated each other. Surely that isn't grouse hunting ? Definitely not in my eyes.

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Originally Posted by Sharon

Noticed a show on the tv called, "Grouse Hunting in Quebec". ... at an outfitters camp. I thought I'd watch that . Oh my gosh ,what a disappointment. No dogs and the grouse just sat on a back road. The guys walked along and shot them on the road like fish in a barrel, then congratulated each other. Surely that isn't grouse hunting ? Definitely not in my eyes.

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If you thought that was underwhelming don't watch The Real Deal grouse hunting episode. Drive along on the ATV, get off load the 12g shoot the grouse on the edge of the trail. Don't fault them for doing it as I too find them tasty but done the way nothing too celebrate over.

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Originally Posted by Sharon

Noticed a show on the tv called, "Grouse Hunting in Quebec". ... at an outfitters camp. I thought I'd watch that . Oh my gosh ,what a disappointment. No dogs and the grouse just sat on a back road. The guys walked along and shot them on the road like fish in a barrel, then congratulated each other. Surely that isn't grouse hunting ? Definitely not in my eyes.

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thats how i was introduced to grouse hunting on the old logging roads. sure makes hunting back here in southern ontario alot harder!

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Originally Posted by Sharon

Noticed a show on the tv called, "Grouse Hunting in Quebec". ... at an outfitters camp. I thought I'd watch that . Oh my gosh ,what a disappointment. No dogs and the grouse just sat on a back road. The guys walked along and shot them on the road like fish in a barrel, then congratulated each other. Surely that isn't grouse hunting ? Definitely not in my eyes.

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What’s wrong with that? It’s legal? Only hunters with dogs should be allowed to hunt grouse?

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Originally Posted by Sharon

Noticed a show on the tv called, "Grouse Hunting in Quebec". ... at an outfitters camp. I thought I'd watch that . Oh my gosh ,what a disappointment. No dogs and the grouse just sat on a back road. The guys walked along and shot them on the road like fish in a barrel, then congratulated each other. Surely that isn't grouse hunting ? Definitely not in my eyes.

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There are many ways to hunt and many hunting traditions which go back many, many years. Not everyone is going to do things the same way as we like but we really do need to stick together as a group overall. Us hunters are the minority by a long shot and as hunters, we need to be careful to stay on the same page as each other to continue to support each other and protect our rights to hunt.
If people are following the laws then there is really nothing we should be complaining about. Hunting can mean so many different things to so many different people and people hunt for different reasons. I know of grouse camps like the one mentioned above where it's not really about the birds but it is the birds which bring the people there together. Many deer camps are this way too. Myself, given the choice between leaving my gun at home or my dogs, I'd leave my gun every time. I don't bait deer but that doesn't mean that I'm going to bash another hunter who does. I shoot a recurve and my friends all hunt with a crossbow. I'll tell you they are some of the best friends I've ever had and there's no one I'd rather share a campfire with. Neither method is right and neither method is wrong, they are just different.
The important thing is that people are taking part.

I, like I’m sure most hunters here started hunting by walking bush roads and logging trails and ground pounding grouse with a single shot .410. If I had to bet I would think there are a million grouse shot that way for every one scratched down on the wing over a bird dog. I enjoy working my dogs but don’t think less of the hunters who ground pound them. They are just as tasty either way, and a day grouse hunting is hard to beat.

Jeff Kavanagh, thanks for starting this thread so beautifully.
I agree with every word on the first post here.
As an immigrant hunter, I knew nothing about grouse in Ontario and nobody to take me hunting or teach me anything.
OOD magazines were my "Go To" source for all fishing and hunting information and motivation.

I had purchased my compound bow in December of 1980 but never got my hunting licence until 1984. By then I was 24 years of age, and due to my love for that bow, had un-intentionally become a big game hunter! Hmmm.... Not ideal for me to be limited to that so I got my FAC and bought my 12 ga. O/U immediately upon realizing that I needed to chase birds as I had always done as a youngster growing up on the opposite side of the planet. To this day, I still own both that bow and that gun by the way. Harvested a few pheasants, one squirrel, one hare, and one ruffed grouse with the bow. Several with the O/U.

Every time I see or hear a grouse - The King of All Birds - my heart pumps faster right away.
If I raise a gun at one, I get super excited, and if I manage to pull the trigger... WOW!!!!

When I get one in my hands, I am both sad and happy at the same time. I too, admire the feathers, the beautiful and powerful feet, wings, and head. They are so gorgeous, so awesome in every way, and so darn delicious also. I prefer their meat to ALL other meat in the world.

My daughters used to fish with me but never showed any interest in hunting. They are now 22 and 19 and the younger one has become a vegetarian. In fact a lot of people in my extended family are vegetarians but I put wild game on the table when they come to visit anyway. They don't mind and always ask me about my hunting adventures. I can't remember sharing grouse meat though! I get so few of them and they are so precious to me that even the bones are mine!!! :)

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Originally Posted by Hawkman

Jeff Kavanagh, thanks for starting this thread so beautifully.
I agree with every word on the first post here.
As an immigrant hunter, I knew nothing about grouse in Ontario and nobody to take me hunting or teach me anything.
OOD magazines were my "Go To" source for all fishing and hunting information and motivation.

I had purchased my compound bow in December of 1980 but never got my hunting licence until 1984. By then I was 24 years of age, and due to my love for that bow, had un-intentionally become a big game hunter! Hmmm.... Not ideal for me to be limited to that so I got my FAC and bought my 12 ga. O/U immediately upon realizing that I needed to chase birds as I had always done as a youngster growing up on the opposite side of the planet. To this day, I still own both that bow and that gun by the way. Harvested a few pheasants, one squirrel, one hare, and one ruffed grouse with the bow. Several with the O/U.

Every time I see or hear a grouse - The King of All Birds - my heart pumps faster right away.
If I raise a gun at one, I get super excited, and if I manage to pull the trigger... WOW!!!!

When I get one in my hands, I am both sad and happy at the same time. I too, admire the feathers, the beautiful and powerful feet, wings, and head. They are so gorgeous, so awesome in every way, and so darn delicious also. I prefer their meat to ALL other meat in the world.

My daughters used to fish with me but never showed any interest in hunting. They are now 22 and 19 and the younger one has become a vegetarian. In fact a lot of people in my extended family are vegetarians but I put wild game on the table when they come to visit anyway. They don't mind and always ask me about my hunting adventures. I can't remember sharing grouse meat though! I get so few of them and they are so precious to me that even the bones are mine!!! :)

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Nice story. Thanks for sharing!

Great post and the reason why that word "magical" is in the title

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Originally Posted by Sharon

Noticed a show on the tv called, "Grouse Hunting in Quebec". ... at an outfitters camp. I thought I'd watch that . Oh my gosh ,what a disappointment. No dogs and the grouse just sat on a back road. The guys walked along and shot them on the road like fish in a barrel, then congratulated each other. Surely that isn't grouse hunting ? Definitely not in my eyes.

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Don’t start this conversation on shooting Grouse on the ground. I commented last season about such practice and got bombarded with insults and then my comments defending my opinion got taken down. So much for freedom of speech and opinions.


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Originally Posted by BSP1

Don’t start this conversation on shooting Grouse on the ground. I commented last season about such practice and got bombarded with insults and then my comments defending my opinion got taken down. So much for freedom of speech and opinions.


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There's lots of ways to hunt grouse and traditions which vary greatly with whatever region you are from. I'm not going to tell someone they're doing it wrong. At least they are out there and that's the main thing.

We hunters are a stupid lot. We will criticize others because for example, they are using the wrong gun. "You can't use an 870 pump for grouse! It has to be a SxS with an English stock!" "What you shoot a crossbow? Real men shoot a recurve"!
And so it goes on. So stupid when we should all be supporting each other. To me it's more important "the character" of the person, than if they do everything the same as myself.
Well other than the recurve comment. That one's true! Hahaha

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Originally Posted by Jeff Kavanagh

There's lots of ways to hunt grouse and traditions which vary greatly with whatever region you are from. I'm not going to tell someone they're doing it wrong. At least they are out there and that's the main thing.

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And you are entitled to that opinion. What’s not ok is “censorship” on peoples opinions


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Originally Posted by BSP1

And you are entitled to that opinion. What’s not ok is “censorship” on peoples opinions


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I agree. My preferred method is wing shooting over my pointers with my sidelock SxS, but that's just me. I've seen it all and done it all over the last 50 years. My buddies will take a grouse on the ground or in a tree with their 12 gauges, and that's fine, I don't mind it. They want the meat and quite frankly they are some of the nicest guys and best company to have at camp and around a campfire than anyone I've ever met. They just do it differently than me is all. Neither one of us is right or wrong on paper. We have different goals and interests. I also wing shoot with my recurve with good success, but I'm not going to criticize a shotgunner. That's just how it works.
Censorship hurts everyone. People should be allowed to have different opinions and share them. It's how we all learn.

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Originally Posted by Jeff Kavanagh

I agree. My preferred method is wing shooting over my pointers with my sidelock SxS, but that's just me. I've seen it all and done it all over the last 50 years. My buddies will take a grouse on the ground or in a tree with their 12 gauges, and that's fine, I don't mind it. They want the meat and quite frankly they are some of the nicest guys and best company to have at camp and around a campfire than anyone I've ever met. They just do it differently than me is all. Neither one of us is right or wrong on paper. We have different goals and interests. I also wing shoot with my recurve with good success, but I'm not going to criticize a shotgunner. That's just how it works.

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Me and a friend hunt that way. We only shoot a bird on the wing. But last year i expressed this opinion in a conversation on here and all my comments got deleted while the others remained. Like I said. So much for freedom of opinions and speech.


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Originally Posted by BSP1

Me and a friend hunt that way. We only shoot a bird on the wing. But last year i expressed this opinion in a conversation on here and all my comments got deleted while the others remained. Like I said. So much for freedom of opinions and speech.


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That's too bad something like that happened. My buddies and I rib each other all the time about this stuff and it's a lot of fun.
I have no interest in ground swatting. It's just no challenge to me. I'm even like that with my bow, they have to be flying. I also love the dog work more than anything else too. That's just me though. I think we should be able to express our opinions on topics such as this as long as we aren't trying to put down someone else. It's not a competition and I could care less if someone does it differently than me. They have their reasons and I have mine.
I know guys who spend,... gee I don't even know how much money on baiting deer each season. Whatever, I don't care. I don't and it suits me fine. Like I mentioned, it's not a competition on who does things better than the other guy. This is a heritage we have and we need to be careful to hang on to.