Starting out grouse hunting

[gprice]

In the spring during my first turkey hunting season on the property I hunt on in Grand Valley (WMU80) I heard grouse drumming everyday. At first I had no clue what it was until a friend of mine was out hunting with me one morning and told me. I would like to give grouse hunting a try and I know they are on the property I hunt on but I don't know where to start, what to use or how to find them. Any pointers for starting out would be appreciated.

[Danny20gauge]

Well it really depends on the terrain and forest type, but if there are any gravel roads start there as the birds have to eat gravel to digest food. If not then your gonna need to go bush wacking, grouse are weird they could be up in the trees deep in the bush or right in the middle of the road.

[greatwhite]

Walk slowly along the paths. I like to kinda of stalk and spot. I walk 30 feet or so very quietly and then stop and listen I can here then rustling in the leaves and then I look for them. Paths where there are grapevines, sumac ect.

[gprice]

It's mostly farmland (corn and soybean and other crops) with the grand river running through it and large forested areas (mixed hardwood and evergreens). The side road along the property is a gravel road that's about 200 yards from the trees.

I plan to use my .410

[greatwhite]

Unless your experienced shot, I would actually go with something bigger. I like my single 20 or 16. A 410 on grouse is almost like using a 22.

It's mostly farmland (corn and soybean and other crops) with the grand river running through it and large forested areas (mixed hardwood and evergreens). The side road along the property is a gravel road that's about 200 yards from the trees.

I plan to use my .410

[Danny20gauge]

If the grouse are anything like typical southern Ontario grouse good luck with the .410, southern grouse generally spook real easy and making shots on flying grouse with a .410 can prove challenging, but then again I don't know your shooting ability but I still suggest a 20 gauge. Should make for some good fun though so good luck.

[greatwhite]

Pretty much any grouse south of Algonqunin park sppok easily

If the grouse are anything like typical southern Ontario grouse good luck with the .410, southern grouse generally spook real easy and making shots on flying grouse with a .410 can prove challenging, but then again I don't know your shooting ability but I still suggest a 20 gauge. Should make for some good fun though so good luck.

[gprice]

I have been practicing with the .410 on the trap range but I might take 16 gauge instead then as I'm not as consistent as I'd like yet

[kickingfrog]

Start with the areas that you heard them drumming. They eat a bunch of different things but I look for Poplar, birch and oak trees and shrubs with berries. As mentioned, southern Ontario grouse are likely to flush quickly.

[mox72]

Tough going in Southern Ontario without a dog. They are hard to get close to down here. If you are willing to get dirty you'll flush more birds out of the thick stuff but it makes the shooting even more difficult. Still a great excuse to poke around in the woods with a shot gun though, good luck.