Ruffed Grouse Population

[Sequoia]

Hey Fellow Hunters!

Anyone been out around the Edmonton and North area for Ruffies yet. Are you seeing any? Thanks!

[summit151]

i have only seen 2 and shot 2 in 337 . the numbers seem low this year maybe due to such a wet spring

[Sequoia]

Thanks..not the news I wanted to hear, but I am going to give it a go soon!

[Wulfespirit]

i have only seen 2 and shot 2 in 337 . the numbers seem low this year maybe due to such a wet spring

X2

Ruffies seem to have been on a slow decline for the last 5 years and now, this year, I have yet to see even one. Sprucies seem to be a lot more rare this year too .. might have something to do with that ghastly winter last year.

[bowhunter9841]

I was in 339 last weekend and saw 6 in 1 and a half days! Only shot 3 of them!

[Alberta Bigbore]

Ive been seeing them.. and taking a few now. Ex father in law says around North Buck Lake people have been taking a few.. and has 5 on his property that are calling it home.

this weekend i hope to take a few to supplement a good moose hunt

[SonnyJ]

Very very few in the eastslopes region.......just sayin'..:)

[Stinky Buffalo]

Was out in 349 on the weekend, and didn't see a single one.

Usually I will find the odd feather pile and spent hulls in that area, but there was nothing this time around. Seems like the other hunters in that area aren't getting any action there either.

Saw a nice moose though. :)

[TippyCanoe]

Saw three ruffies in 304 over the weekend. Never do see very many in that area though.

[baptiste_moose]

During a wet spring like we had the chicks drowned. The gnarly coyote and hawk population prob isn't helping. I'm still seeing quite a few. Look for the small clusters of spruce when walking through the bush.

[tprince]

I took 3 ruffies in 308 on the weekend. They were all within 50 feet of each other. My son and I took them. We also saw 3-4 more while looking for our black bear.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Didn't see a single ruffy this past weekend... But did harvest 3 out of 5 Sprucies....

[glen1971]

I was sure I saw a couple of covies up north of them (3-6 per) but didn't shoot them, as we had lots to eat already...

[Willowtrail]

Seen a few in 349, 2 and 3 weeks ago. 3 ruffies and 3 spruce.

Hey Stinky Buffalo, Where did you see that moose? Care to share, going up this weekend for trip 2 of Bull Moose hunt. My BIL has his draw.

[jednastka]

Hunted over the last three weekends, hunting both Saturday and Sunday. WMUs 337, 338, 339, 346, 510 & 507 Saw a total of 3 riffues and harvested two, and 5 spruce with 4 harvested. Three of the spruce were in one covey. The numbers are way, way down.

Vic

[savage_logan]

My dad and I got 13 ruffies this past weekend while quading North of edmonton, but we sure had to put on the miles to find them!

[nick0danger]

blasted plenty of them in the last few days, they tasted great, all in 402.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Couldn't pay me to shoot and eat a spruce grouse.... :)

Haven't been out much but got a ruffie with the 12 gauge the other day.

LC

[Willowtrail]

Couldn't pay me to shoot and eat a spruce grouse.... :)

Haven't been out much but got a ruffie with the 12 gauge the other day.

LC

How come you don't like the Spruce? I had 2 last week that I cooked at home.

Cut into small pieces and rolled in "Shore Lunch" original fish batter http://www.thefishinhole.com/index.cfm?imageSku=3866832&enlargeSkuz=26179&D=09&C=096&GETPRODUCTSBYCLASSG=096

and fried in vegetable oil. When they were done they had the taste and texture of dry garlic ribs. They were delicious :sHa_shakeshout:
But what isn't good deep fried?

I also like dark meat on turkey and chicken as well. Everyone has they're likes and dislikes though.

[greylynx]

To get back to the original question, Ruffies are low in 250.

coyote and skunk are doing very well.

[BigJon]

Various areas through out the Peace/Smoky seem to be pretty low....I think many of the broods were too young to handle the wet weather we had this spring and into the summer....there is still the decent honey hole to be found though....just make sure you don't wipe them out of said honey holes.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Seen a few in 349, 2 and 3 weeks ago. 3 ruffies and 3 spruce.

Hey Stinky Buffalo, Where did you see that moose? Care to share, going up this weekend for trip 2 of Bull Moose hunt. My BIL has his draw.

Sent you a PM.

[buckmasterjr]

To get back to the original question, Ruffies are low in 250.

coyote and skunk are doing very well.

Agreed. Me and my dad hunted it quite a bit last year and not even one to be seen all season. As for coyotes there is lots and some big ones too.