Starting out grouse hunting

[terrym]

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.

Expect the grouse to flush as soon as you slam your car door. You will likely hear far more grouse than you actually see. If the birds are just plain wary down South. Walk very slowly and quietly and be prepared to shoot fast at a rapidly disappearing bird. The .410 has killed millions of birds but mostly Northern ones who just sit there. I would go with a 20 or 16 gauge with 7.5 shot and open chokes.

[mox72]

Even with a decent dog, southern grouse are a real challenge. Even when they flush (and sometimes the little so-and-so's just run, not fly...... ) you never know if they're gonna sky or go straight out, or even back over your head...... And when they break close to you their wings are like flippin' thunder, so you have all those near-cardiac-events goin' on as well...... .And, as often as not, they'll break in cover so thick that you can't possibly swing a gun barrel anyway..... But, that said, you never had so much fun as just 'havin a go' with 'em!


And, imho, just forget the .410 - you might as well just bring a croquet mallet.... My own fave is a little 20 SxS with 20" barrels, but lots of folks use a 28 as well. Obviously, you can use something bigger if you want, but at my time of life they just get too heavy after a little bit.....


Have Fun!!

I am also of the opinion that the .410 is relatively useless.

[gprice]

Thank you all I will bring the 16 gauge with me. I'm no sniper but I'm a decent shot. Seems like .410 would have been a wasted trip

[mox72]

Thank you all I will bring the 16 gauge with me. I'm no sniper but I'm a decent shot. Seems like .410 would have been a wasted trip

Stroll in the woods with shotgun in hand is never a wasted trip. Have fun.

[trkyhntr21]

Thank you all I will bring the 16 gauge with me. I'm no sniper but I'm a decent shot. Seems like .410 would have been a wasted trip

What choke is your 16ga? The more open the choke the better your odds. Everyone thinks they are a decent shot till they take up southern Ontario grouse hunting, then after the first few flushes leave you babbling and stumbling around all cut up and the box of shells you had are gone scattered in the tree trunks, you will then come to the conclusion that A- they are not grouse but some sort of cyborg alien creature and B if you do kill one it's because it wanted it to happen.

[zoli 16ga.]

Grouse definitely taste better when harvested with a sixteen gauge!

D.

[finsfurfeathers]

Southern grouse can be a humbling bird quite honestly wouldn't hunt them with out my dog. Have given up on crossing shots but going away shots are golden. They tend to fly straight so a disappearing bird is a preferred shot of course its because I can send the dog looking for the downed bird. Always a bonus bird when targeting woodcock.

[kickingfrog]

I must have been hungry last night, I forgot to mention about cover. Conifers near the food are also good places to look.

[sharps4570]

While clay shooting, particularly SC and/or Skeet can hone reflexes for Wingshooting, however, the practice of shooting from "gun down" may prepare one bettter for the field. As far as Trap is concerned, I'm afraid one is simply shooting at a going away target and that may simulate less than 1% of Upland scenario. Birds in the wild aren't predictable in terms of a flush particularly when there is no advantage of a bird dog.

One may observe that the Ruffed Grouse, upon a flush, apparently more often than not, manages to place every type of cover i.e. tree trunk/bush etc between itself and the gun during flight. As already suggested, a 20 or 16 etc equipped with IC choke and loaded with #7.5 or #8 will serve to somewhat lessen the odds. If/when opportunity presents, do not hesitate to shoot (safely of course) through/at trees and branches keeping the momentum of the swing (follow through). Couple pellet hits in the vitals will drop the bird....Ruffed Grouse is not hard to kill. Locating a downed bird with out a dog, specially during the early season will be a challenge.

[tom gobble]

No hunting is easy and personally I like the challenge of the southern grouse and I also hunt them near you as well. That been said I don't use a dog and still managed to get my fair share to take home. The best thing If you don't have a dog is to hunt with a friend, look for the right habitat like young forest and transition zones were thick un walkable forest meets open areas or scattered bush like young cedars. Look for there poop they tend not to be far. I learn something new every year hunting these grouse and so will you. Yes its frustrating but what isn't LOL good luck