South Central ontario Grouse

[krawler]

Each weekend i spend one day hunting for upland birds (grouse and woodcock). I am able to find birds on each outing but only ever get shots at woodcock. The grouse jump from such a distance, I sometimes never see them or get a shot. Why are these grouse so skittish? I hear the grouse in the north are very easy to see and shoot but the birds in the south are smart, skittish and shy. I hunted an area on saturday that likely gets no hunting pressure and is not easily accessible by foot or atv and i saw quite a few birds but none presented a shot.
I hunt mainly north of barrie south of honey harbour.

A hunter once told me its near impossible to shoot a grouse south of Parry Sound, i want to know why?

thanks

[ninepointer]

Same species across the Province, but definitely different adaptations in terms of survival skills.

I do OK (in relative grouse hunting terms) at connecting on flying grouse up north (North Bay area). But locally (same general area you hunt) I have not connected on one this season or during the previous season. In fact, I rarely even get a shot off.

The support group meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at the church hall

[seabast]

Each weekend i spend one day hunting for upland birds (grouse and woodcock). I am able to find birds on each outing but only ever get shots at woodcock. The grouse jump from such a distance, I sometimes never see them or get a shot. Why are these grouse so skittish? I hear the grouse in the north are very easy to see and shoot but the birds in the south are smart, skittish and shy. I hunted an area on saturday that likely gets no hunting pressure and is not easily accessible by foot or atv and i saw quite a few birds but none presented a shot.
I hunt mainly north of barrie south of honey harbour.

A hunter once told me its near impossible to shoot a grouse south of Parry Sound, i want to know why?

thanks

Sounds like a 410/22 trail hunter.... Kind of like a hunter that only shot deer over baits from a tree stand and never shot a deer run by dogs.
Beside this past week, I killed most of my grouse flying and I'm South of Parry Sound. I believe it's all about practice. Been ready for the shot is the most important thing. A while back I got told in this forum that I should always have my safety on while hunting for upland, well I don't so as any hunter I hunted with, birds don't give you much time and making sure to shot in a safe direction takes most of it. Also, it's a good idea to have a #5 shots for the second shot to go thru leaves and branches.
Would be a lot easier with a pointer too....

[ninepointer]

Sounds like a 410/22 trail hunter.... Kind of like a hunter that only shot deer over baits from a tree stand and never shot a deer run by dogs.

How many hunters can a poster alienate with one sentence?

Everything stated in the OP would indicate a he's wing-shooting. There's virtually no such thing as ground-swatting woodcock. I've hunted grouse from Haldimand in the south and to Kapuskasing in the north and can vouch for the fact that the OP would have an easier time with your Parry Sound grouse.

Krawler, welcome to the forum and keep at those birds. The good news is that you're finding them.

[seabast]

How many hunters can a poster alienate with one sentence?

Everything stated in the OP would indicate a he's wing-shooting. There's virtually no such thing as ground-swatting woodcock. I've hunted grouse from Haldimand in the south and to Kapuskasing in the north and can vouch for the fact that the OP would have an easier time with your Parry Sound grouse.

Krawler, welcome to the forum and keep at those birds. The good news is that you're finding them.

?!?!?
This is what I was referring to:
"A hunter once told me its near impossible to shoot a grouse south of Parry Sound, i want to know why?"
And this is what came to my mind:
"Sounds like a 410/22 trail hunter.... Kind of like a hunter that only shot deer over baits from a tree stand and never shot a deer run by dogs"

It has nothing to do with the OP.

[Species8472]

Also, it's a good idea to have a #5 shots for the second shot to go thru leaves and branches.

I use 3 inch 1 5/8 oz #4s for this reason.

Worked on these guys 2 weeks ago:



Saugeen Valley between Flesherton and Durham. 4 of them cleaned up real nice and one had some damage on the right breast.

[Mount Sweetness]

Wow, 3" #4's !!

never would have thought of that for grouse but I guess it does make sense since they flush way out.

12ga?

[Species8472]

12ga?

Yep. Trusty 1958 Belgian A5.

[Waftrudnir]

Are you taking about lead or steel shot here?
I'm someone who likes large lead shot, but I would never go with #4s for grouse if I had a choice.
Regarding the load: Well, I shoot 3.5" steel for geese, but never understood why people buy 3" lead other then for turkeys.

[Waftrudnir]

Yep. Trusty 1958 Belgian A5.

the two Auto 5 I used to have were both chambered for 70mm (i.e. 2 3/4").
not a good idea to shoot 3" unless it has been properly modified