Anybody see any Grouse anywhere in Alberta

[botwood]

Well i've tried a few times to get a sence for Grouse numbers in Central Alberta with very few being reported. So now I wonder what the numbers look like across the whole of Alberta.

[deanmc]

Have been traveling 349 working since april and I have seen less than i can count on one hand the entire summer.:sign0176:

[Dark Wing]

Numbers are at an all time low in the NW as well. Only saw a hand full of ruffies while shedding this spring and only a few this fall. Even the clutches of hens and chics were small, 3 or 4 at most.

[botwood]

Please leave a response even if you havn't seen any, would also be valuable info.
There's been a number of visits to this thread but only 2 responses, does that mean only 2 of the 22 visits actually saw any grouse at all.

I've spent plenty of time in WMU 406, 330, and 332 and saw not even 1 grouse.

[livinthedream]

A question for you guys that have been out bowhunting for antelope. Are you running into any sharpies or huns?

[Cooeylover]

Ive been travelling north to Ft Mcmurray lots last week. Hauling from Edmonton to the Syncrude mine. been seeing alot of dead ones on the road.
Havent been out here in the Stettler area yet so cant give you any numbers.

One thing i HAVE been noticing is the amount of dead roadkill moose!!!
Most of them have been young ones. So hopefully the moose numbers are up.:)

Also have been seeing a wack of roadkill coyotes, even managed getting a couple myself. :sHa_shakeshout:

Good luck!!

[chopperman]

Saw a decent amount while elk hunting in WMU 526.....not tripping over them but wouldn't starve if thats all I had to eat either.

[tappen]

I also see quite a few in wmu 526, i see at least 5 every time i go out hunting. Just about smoked one on the quad 2 nights ago.

[Dark Wing]

I wonder if the West Nile virus has anything to with low numbers? Probably just a combination of poor weather conditions and a low cycle though.

You guys seeing lots of birds are they ruffies, spruce grouse or both.

[Whiskey Wish]

Zip, zero, nada for about 2 years now in 346.

Keep Your Powder Dry,
Dave.

[Elkaholic6]

See one every now and then in the 544, 523, and 360.. Early August see them all the time on hayfield roads in 523.

[albertadeer]

can almost limit out everytime i go out:sHa_shakeshout: lots of ruffies in the west!! some big blues to!

[botwood]

Western Alberta?

[redneck posse]

got a limit of ruffies last week north of hinton seen lots

[WaterSkeeter]

Real good in my area, Got these all within 1 hour.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af77/WaterSkeeter87/Picture006-3.jpg

[botwood]

Nice to hear that some places still have a good population

[kmart]

WMU 502. Have seen a couple so far this year & heard them drumming on my quarter. But definitely not the usual numbers.

[Muliemaster]

my buddy and I with his German Short Hair snagged 2 ruffies each in a couple hours in 316.

Was a ton of fun. Younger dog just learning but still enjoyed a beautiful morning.

[jaylow?]

tons and tons of spruce hens in 515 and 517. less than half ruffies.

[hal53]

so far around home since spring , I have seen 1 (one) covey of 6 Huns, FIL who has been out everyday has seen 2 birds, wet, cool spring took it's toll I guess.

[ROAD HAMMER]

Just got back from wmu 330 for 12 days and seen 2 in 12 days not good numbers.

[mustard73]

I was out in 316 last week scouting and bagged a ruffie in the ditch. It barely caught my eye and hid in the bush immediately.

I checked the guts and its gizzard was full of berry seeds and stomach had 3 rosehips and about a handful of clover. Maybe they are just starting to eat gravel now???

[Alberta Bigbore]

wardens at wmu936 say numbers are at the bottom of thier cycle, Only seen 3 in wmu936 in 2 hours walking trails.......... also havent seen many in wmu337/338 either.

[sjemac]

How many of the previous posters have a dog?



























Asks the guy in 314 picking grouse meat out from between his teeth.

[outdoors forever]

Not huge amounts, for sure, but I've seen a few in 523, only managed to get two. A good buddy of mine shot about 14 on a week long moose hunt in 544 last week. All ruffies - I've only seen 1 sharptail so far, and around here the season for sharpies is not open til Oct 1.

[airbornedeerhunter]

Yep, no chickens. during Bow season I usually sit in my treestand from before first light until about 10 AM, climb down grab a quick lunch then leave the bow in the truck and set out with the shotgun for some ruffies, then back in the deer stand at about 5 PM until dark. Three weeks of hunting now and only saw one grouse in thick cover and could'nt get a shot through the alders. This is really strange for the area I hunt in, for years I'd always blast away for an hour or two in between sittings, this year, nothing. must be a low end in the cycle.

[ishootbambi]

i think i saw 8 or 9 flocks of partridge this afternoon, and about 30 sharptails....all small groups of less than 6. my wife and i shot a partridge each for supper tonight. both were young of the year and very tender and tasty. this was in an area where the harvest is at zero. once the crops come off im sure we will see double that.....if the farmers can get it off. looks like a rough year for them.

[DanJ]

I've only seen one in 406 and I'm convinced is was a big full-grown hen that survived from last season. I'm going to try one more piece of high ground and if it still looks like their numbers are down drastically I'm going to stop hunting them for this year - they don't need the pressure. Looks to me like they will need a season or two to reproduce.

[conner]

Been working in 164 seeing a few hun every day.
Was hunting in 521 and 360 last week not alot but saw a few ruffies every day.

[marlin1]

flushed a nice sized covey of partridge today while out fishing , no shortage on the prairies east of cowtown . went back for them later , missed :confused: probably 20 birds at least

[botwood]

I left no stone unturned in 406 and saw absolutely no grouse or anything even remotely similar to a grouse all day.

Well I saw a gray jay, I guess they are similar in that they also have 2 wings.

I got home and had to make my soup with chicken instead.

[ryanhall]

Got one in the grill of my truck about a month ago but other than that ZERO. I have been out 3 times with my dogs and still nothing. I have seen high coyote numbers this year and I wonder if that is pushing the birds into cover more. A dusting of snow should bring them out.

[Beta-pg]

Seen about 13 or so within an hour and a half on saturday and about a dozen on sunday... only shot 2 though (actually my son shot one)... both with a bow though. :)

[vantheman]

Saw a spruce hen with 5 chicks close to Upper Kananaskis this summer. I got out of the truck and poked her with my fishing rod just for fun.

[Arn?Narn.]

I Have taken about 50 so far this month....

Seeing lots,...could have taken many more...

[Arn?Narn.]

Saw a spruce hen with 5 chicks close to Upper Kananaskis this summer. I got out of the truck and poked her with my fishing rod just for fun.

??? :rolleye2:

smarten up...

[Okotokian]

Yep, no chickens. during Bow season I usually sit in my treestand from before first light until about 10 AM, climb down grab a quick lunch then leave the bow in the truck and set out with the shotgun for some ruffies, then back in the deer stand at about 5 PM until dark. .

Don't you worry about scaring off the big game by walking around and shooting birds in the same general area in the same time-frame? Or do you drive someplace else?

[vantheman]

??? :rolleye2:

smarten up...

I respectfully decline.

[Ryan R]

I saw one spruce all day in 346, a couple ruffies in 340 last month and one in 336 a couple weeks ago.

[Ardent]

Seeing them in 534, population seems healthy. Going out after them next week.

[Ardent]

??? :rolleye2:

smarten up...

I respectfully decline.

Sadly Arn?Narn it's not possible for these types to grow brain cells. They're still working on a cure, frontal lobotomy appears promising, arse-hat behaviour decreases and intelligence doesn't change one bit. Drooling is an unfortunate side effect, but likely occurs before hand anyway in people who harass wildlife with young chicks.

[Lone_Wolf]

I have not seen any that I can remember all year, but now I have seen 3 in 2 days. The first one was just standing in the ditch along the road. Didn't have my .22 though. Then I saw two today while out scouting around but couldn't get either in the sights. When they're scared they're fast! Was really hoping to eat some "real" chicken tonight, not Presidents Choice chicken. :(

[Kelly & Beth]

We got this ruffie on sunday plus a spruce that I dont have a pic of. The boys each got their pic with the ruffie. Stopped for a pee and decided great time for a photo opp.

Beth


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/KellyandBeth/stuff018.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/KellyandBeth/stuff0142.jpg

[catnthehat]

Decent numbers in the 500 WMU's.
Cat

[IR_mike]

Ruffed grouse #s seem to be down in wmu 502 again this year as I finally got my first one yesterday evening after 3 other unsuccessful outings.

While standing out on the patio tonight with the breast on a plate in one hand and cleaning the hot BBQ grill with the other, I hear the sounds of beating wings close and a thump on the edge of the roof above me.

I take 2 steps back and low and behold about 8 feet away from me and 4 feet above the BBQ is a ruffed grouse staring at me. :confused: It takes off and lands in a spruce tree in the front yard.

So I put everything down on the picnic table and grab the .22 out of the truck and try to stalk up to it but it flys off to a clump of poplars down the driveway.

Dont know if that was a good or bad omen....sure was weird.

I dont know if it was me that scared him off the roof or his sibling on the plate I was holding!! :thinking-006: :)

[Ardent]

526 looks good, just got this guy in 15 mins. If there's a decline, it seems it's only down south.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/angusmo/GrouseandGL-1.jpg

[Remington Country]

Been out a few times (walking and driving around) to lodgepole and Brazeau area’s and have only seen a couple. Not a very good year at all.:(

But....that's the way it goes!

[ranstey]

357. Not many this year. Usually see around 50+ during a good season (spring or fall) but only about 20 this entire year.

[Neil Waugh]

Had a cosmic 9 flush afternoon with my new Lab pup Penny at a public hunting area not too far from town this week. There might have been more because she was overrunning a few of them. Still not bad for a 6-month-old rookie.
The leaves are almost all down now and that's when hunting the "edge" birds coming out for the clover usually heats up.
The last time out it was 16 klicks for one flush over the same ground.
That's the good news. The bad news is I only laid two on the leaves.
Hopefully this wasn't just one of those days and the June rains weren't as hard on the hatch as originally feared. Both harvested birds were young of the year.
I've found that best ruffie hunting for trail/oil patch birds usually happens from leaves down to the first permanent snow fall. After that it's slim pickin's.

[timsesink]

I just got back from 344 and we had grouse every night for dinner (:

[KegRiver]

Not a big problem finding Drummers around here. Numbers do seem on the low side though.

Here is one of many I have seen over the summer.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4922218261_171e9f6e7f.jpg

And a hen protecting her chicks I photgraphed this summer, a couple of miles from home.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4735811531_067e41e072.jpg


There are a few flocks of sharpies around as well. Like this one, from a flock less then a mile from home.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4736875357_f4f4d41421.jpg

[pitw]

Nice pics^^^^.

Out desiccating crops this fall I saw about the same number of coveys of Huns as in previous years but the sizes were smaller. Sharpies are fewer by a lot.

[Unregistered user]

Real good in my area, Got these all within 1 hour.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af77/WaterSkeeter87/Picture006-3.jpg

Jeez that's a lot of snow already! Saw a few on the Homestead road in 406, zip in 326.

[westwest]

I want to head out towards Whitecourt for ruffies on saturday "tommorow". How are the numbers in 348 and 349? Has anyone been there yet?

cheers

[ranstey]

I Have taken about 50 so far this month....

Seeing lots,...could have taken many more...

Hey there buddy, where are you going to see that many?? Looking to take a drive around tomorrow to get a couple (Sept 3, 2010).

Hook me up with a PM if you don't mind helping out with a little local knowledge..... wink wink

[Ardent]

Where are you at? It shows him as being in the North, up here I could point you in the right direction. Things are good in the Hines Creek area, and even better between Rainbow Lake and High Level. If you struck out up here, that'd be a really strange day, bird hunting's good up here.

[Lone_Wolf]

Had this guy for supper. He was tasty with hot sauce!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs076.ash2/37146_438264056851_550086851_5715079_2751615_n.jpg

[Mxyzptik]

Saw 3 last weekend west of Whitecourt in 349 and today in 350 south of Slave saw one sharp tail and one ruffie I'd say they're down in those areas.

[Arn?Narn.]

Took 17 grouse today...

That's it for me now...aside from the odd ones now and then for the pot...

Here's one of each, of two species...

Who knows what's what? LOL

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p125/ithicaxl/017-11.jpg

[Lone_Wolf]

Good job Arn, but just you know the daily bag limit for ruffed grouse is 10 and sharp tailed grouse is 5............

[westwest]

Took 17 grouse today...

That's it for me now...aside from the odd ones now and then for the pot...

Here's one of each, of two species...

Who knows what's what? LOL

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p125/ithicaxl/017-11.jpg


Which WMU ?:)

[Arn?Narn.]

355 and 356

Can't wait to have them for the bereakfast with bacon and sausage....:)

[mudbug]

Ruffed and Spruce?

[Arn?Narn.]

Bingo !

[mudbug]

Bingo !

Right on!:sHa_shakeshout: So what do I win? :thinking-006:

It's been a long time since I've been out for upland birds, about 14 years too long...........

[Donny Bear]

Good job Arn, but just you know the daily bag limit for ruffed grouse is 10 and sharp tailed grouse is 5............

so? Ruffie and Franklin on the cutting Board no sharpies in the mix:sign0161:

[Lone_Wolf]

so? Ruffie and Franklin on the cutting Board no sharpies in the mix:sign0161:

Yes, I see he posted what species they were on this page but did not on the last so I didn't know. I just saw where he said he bagged 17 grouse. Not trying to be a *******, just being cautious. Don't want to see a good guy in trouble.

[botwood]

Things were ok this weekend in 338, I saw 3 Ruffies and 2 spruce while looking for a white tail, manage to get the shotgun out in time to shoot one of the Ruffed Grouse.
I think maybe the theory on things getting better as the leaves fall may be a good one. That's what I've noticed too.

[Donny Bear]

We Got into Huns like never before yesterday I was convinced it was a bad year but we hit 7 coveys in a half section no repeats average better then 10 birds per! can hardly wait for next Saturday:sHa_shakeshout:

Oh Jimmer took his limit. Oh about Dad well ah put it this way If I taught the boy then I forgot what I taught him

[nsc86]

im in zone 250 mostly, and between shedding, scouting, and hunting ive only seen 1. that also goes for rabbits, and other small rodents.. However the coyote population is an overload and judging by their size i would say their "full" on all the small game, therefore the yotes are gonna be getting hammered by my 7mm mag this january. if we can manage the numbers of pest predators, (not drive to extinction) than we can hope for some better bird numbers in the next few years.

[Arn?Narn.]

I usually shoot 2 or 3 posession limits a year accross species,...not so much of each.....

out of the last limit I like to make a big pot of soup... and freeze 8 or 10 bowls of it.

I usually am shooting Ruffed and Spruce,...more Spruce this year as compared to Ruffed...

The odd Blue and Sharp get into the mix now and then when I am lucky,..

Good hunting all !!!!!!

[tippycanoe12]

well i've tried a few times to get a sence for grouse numbers in central alberta with very few being reported. So now i wonder what the numbers look like across the whole of alberta.

i have been throught wmu 500 & 285 i seen 3 ruffes in the last few months, coyotes and a cold wet spring very poor nesting year, i think the coyotes are the biggest problem .we have a bounty on coyotes in 500 & 501.

[ranstey]

To answer a question posted on page 2, both ArnNarn and myself are living in Grande Prairie.

I was out yesterday in 356, saw 6, shot at 5, only got 3 (thick bush got the best of some of the shots).

A lot of km's to get them however, price per pound is through the roof... lol lol.

Well you know what they say, a bad day in the woods is still better then your best day in the office.

Good to get out.

[rockymountaintrapper]

how do they look like?:sHa_shakeshout:never saw so few birds in 14 years of trapping and hunting in WMU 438 437 342 340. I even feel bad for shooting one!I also see a lot less rabbits then what I saw in the spring:angry3:

[sophie1]

Please leave a response even if you havn't seen any, would also be valuable info.
There's been a number of visits to this thread but only 2 responses, does that mean only 2 of the 22 visits actually saw any grouse at all.

I've spent plenty of time in WMU 406, 330, and 332 and saw not even 1 grouse.



i live in athabasca and work and hunt from here north to peerless lake and south to thorhild, Starting to see a few more butnumbers still low. not like 4-5 years ago when it seemed liked you could go out any day and almost limit anytime. most of my co-workers are reporting the same

[sophie1]

im in zone 250 mostly, and between shedding, scouting, and hunting ive only seen 1. that also goes for rabbits, and other small rodents.. However the coyote population is an overload and judging by their size i would say their "full" on all the small game, therefore the yotes are gonna be getting hammered by my 7mm mag this january. if we can manage the numbers of pest predators, (not drive to extinction) than we can hope for some better bird numbers in the next few years.

i've seen the same thing everywhere way to many coyote. start shooting boys there really starting to blow up. I also do alot of flying for my work and have never seen as many wolves as i've seen in the last few years.:fighting0021:

[westwest]

I want to head out to wmu 349 and hit the oil lease roads. Is it legal to shoot on these roads north of carson pegasus and south of swan hills ?

[Arn?Narn.]

We saw a mess of grouse again today...

I didn;t take any, but I buddy shot a few...

All Ruffed.

[ROAD HAMMER]

Started seeing a few since the leaves have droped . Only in the moarnings.

[eurekacreek22]

I live in 526, so far Ive bagged 4 rough grouse, 4 spruce grouse and 1 sharptail. As per elk, i have seen 47 cow elk in the last 2 weeks, 6 bulls all bigger than 5x5 and moose that I havent seen before. Both big and small. But today the grouse have been hiding. But good luck anyways, try laying out some feed, we feed chickadees, and recieve the ocassional grouse. Goodluck man!

[xring_assassin]

seeing lots around my house in 330, not many at the cabin in 328 though....

[kaleh01]

Crusing some old logging roads on sunday during the mid day lulls and managed 3 spruce grouse and 1 ruffie with the 10/22. Saw probably a dozen more spruce grouse and a half dozen ruffed grouse in 3 hrs or so. All it seemed to take was to walk a freshly reclaimed road with some gravel showing and they were not far away.

Can't wait for dinner tonight, I love fall grouse.

[dezmo]

there's way too many coyoties out there, and ya they like to eat them tasty critters. so shoot the hell out if them yodies there fun too shoot with a big gun. :budo:

[botwood]

I drove at least 200km of gravel roads west of Calgary (forestry trunk road etc.) and never saw a single grouse.
There was lots of traffic so maybe earlier in the AM would have made a difference.

[Lone_Wolf]

I was driving home from putting up my stand this afternoon and had 5 run across the road and fly into a field. And I saw 2 a couple evenings ago in the same area. So they're around here in 502.

[vantheman]

Sadly Arn?Narn it's not possible for these types to grow brain cells. They're still working on a cure, frontal lobotomy appears promising, arse-hat behaviour decreases and intelligence doesn't change one bit. Drooling is an unfortunate side effect, but likely occurs before hand anyway in people who harass wildlife with young chicks.

Haha, wow you guys are nuts! I can guarantee that those grouse are no worse for wear after our brief encounter. The true purpose of my “harassment” was to demonstrate to a fellow hunter who has never encountered a grouse, how “fool’s hens” rely on their camouflage and can be easily exploited as a direct result.

I can’t believe I’m actually justifying my actions to you trolls, but there you have it. I have no regrets, and I’d do it again!

[Arn?Narn.]

Haha, wow you guys are nuts! I can guarantee that those grouse are no worse for wear after our brief encounter. The true purpose of my “harassment” was to demonstrate to a fellow hunter who has never encountered a grouse, how “fool’s hens” rely on their camouflage and can be easily exploited as a direct result.

I can’t believe I’m actually justifying my actions to you trolls, but there you have it. I have no regrets, and I’d do it again!

Poking a hen with your fishing rod while she is with her chicks to show a fellow hunter how the birds rely on camoflauge...

Perhaps you should be the one taking lessons rather than giving them

[vantheman]

Explain your logic and if it makes any sense, maybe I'll take a lesson from you.

[backstraps]

was in 340 and 342 on the weekend and saw half a dozen spruce, no ruffies tho

[eurekacreek22]

gota large ruff in my while doing chores in my yard yesterday.

[eurekacreek22]

The fish and wildlife state this is the grouses peak for 2010. there numbers will decline after this year. last year i shot 28 birds throughout the season. this year so far i have shot 10. good luck and happy hunting!

[albertadeer]

Saw well over 50 birds " spruce and ruffs" two days ago....to bad i was working.

[botwood]

I saw a Ruffed and shot him in 406 this morning.
Had him in a soup this evening.

[gilbertslake]

Finally hearing of some ruff grouse. A farmer friend called me yesterday to say he went out on his north quarter and saw a few when he got into the field, but they hightailed back into the woods when he approached. He didn't have a dog, so he asked me to come with him next time and bring my dog. I accepted the offer, willingly.
Also, heard of some sharpies in a grassy area in a newly cut field near one of my hunting areas. Hopefully these guys are mobile enough to cross to my area.
Apart from that, they are still scarce.

[open sights]

tons and tons and tons and tons and tons and more tons of grouse in 524, down chinchagu forestry road bout kilometer 130ish. there were so many when my hunting party went up there we litterally could not shoot them all. that was the first week of october.

[Karate-Kid]

they're around...
brought home an easy 5 ruffed in an afternoon around slave lake.

[abrigger]

I see two walk by every time I'm in the tree stand. Usually a couple on the drive to as well. NE of slave.

[moosehunter3-0]

Lots north of Edmonton, not much to see near Red Deer unfortunately.

[Kash Ryan]

I have one in the oven right now. Got it couple hours north of Edmonton

[botwood]

I have one in the oven right now. Got it couple hours north of Edmonton

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=71570

[KegRiver]

Went out to sight in my thuty thuty, and to test out some handloads.

Saw six grouse on the four mile drive. Shot at one, it's sitting on the counter ready for the pot.

Yup, plenty of grouse north of Peace River.

[Mikediz]

we were in 516 this weekend and were close to limiting out on ruffies each day, so i thought that was good, not great but good. only saw one spruce and believe it or not one sharptail.

[botwood]

Things seem to be improving slightly in the rocky Mountain House area from what I see.
Saw four Ruffies yesterday evening shot one, and saw three this morning and shot two of them - all on the same small stretch of gravel road and all within about 45minutes of actual hunting time.

So I figure if this one tiny road has so many then it stands to reason the surrounding area must have a few as well.

I'm very new to grouse hunting and have been walking gravel roads looking down for them and that seems to be where they usually are. But this morning I was surprised to spot 3 up on top of a tall poplar tree. As they were feeding some debris was falling down to the floor and I heard this and searched for a while before finally looking up. I wonder how many i've missed by just looking down.

[Eze]

was cultivating a field seen 2 flocks of about 6 each and 2 singles feeding on the clover aT edges

[smurph]

Went out to 226 yesterday and in 6 hours we heard only 1 grouse, saw zero, saw 2 rabbits and 3 deer. We were in some of the buck-for-wildlife/ab-conserv areas. Talked with some other folk that were driving by us at lunch and they didn't see anything all day either and they had come up from about 60 miles South. Next trip will be North.

[pickrel pat]

Things seem to be improving slightly in the rocky Mountain House area from what I see.
Saw four Ruffies yesterday evening shot one, and saw three this morning and shot two of them - all on the same small stretch of gravel road and all within about 45minutes of actual hunting time.

So I figure if this one tiny road has so many then it stands to reason the surrounding area must have a few as well.

I'm very new to grouse hunting and have been walking gravel roads looking down for them and that seems to be where they usually are. But this morning I was surprised to spot 3 up on top of a tall poplar tree. As they were feeding some debris was falling down to the floor and I heard this and searched for a while before finally looking up. I wonder how many i've missed by just looking down.
if it was very early in the morn, they were probly still roosting.

[slough shark]

I went out earlier this year and saw just the one in 318 and 417 in a few days, saw a couple out bowhunting in 501 a week ago unfortunatly they never gave me any shots as they were in a bunch of bush and when I went out later in the day looking with the shotgun didn't see any grr... hun #'s seem to be down around the bassano area, they are still there but not like a couple years ago. Good thing there are a lot of deer around as I haven't had a pile of luck so far this year for whatever reason.

[geezer55]

Yesterday came home with 12 grouse and saw another dozen or so but they disappeared quickly. Grouse stir fry for supper tonight.

[jpohlic]

We saw 8 or 9 yesterday just north of Swan Hills. The dogs did their job well but my shooting left us hungry.

Also saw a couple near Robb while elk hunting a couple weeks ago.

[ecsuplander]

Went out today and hunted an area that several years ago produced 7 flushes in 40 minutes. Today in 3 hours, the dog and I put up one bird in the same area. Very little activity and no shooting. WMU 349.

[Ryan R]

Got 2 spruce and 3 ruffies on Saturday, south of Edson.

Saw one more of each that I didn't shoot.

[Walleyes]

I was really surprised at the lack of Grouse when we were up moose hunting this fall. The area where we hunt is usually loaded with Ruffies. I actually don't remember a time that it hasn't been until this fall. It was quite apparent that the area had a heavy late spring snow fall as a lot of the smaller trees were bent and or broke off. It actually made quad travel very difficult. I would think this would have been devastating to the chicks and eggs. Hopefully ycome around by next fall I did miss my grouse feed this year..

[fitzelferg]

Ive been hunting 406 have caught 2 or 3 all 4 times Ive been out, mostly sprucies though. Does anyone know a good place to go SE or South of Calgary like Hinton or Strathmore?

Thanks.

[maddwapper]

Real good in my area, Got these all within 1 hour.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af77/WaterSkeeter87/Picture006-3.jpg

love to know where to bag some otheese,, caught one ina snare few yeas ago they are pretty scarce in camrose area:shark:

[Ormachek]

Lots in 353

http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww220/ormachek/PA040022.jpg

[Supermag]

Saw a fair number near Whitecourt. Actually saw at least a dozen Sharpies in an old burn area. They sure aren't as accomodating as Ruffies. They were 50 yards away, and started flushing as soon as I got out of the truck.:mad0100:

They don't land 10 yards away either. LOL. Got a couple Ruffies and not one Sharptail. Missed on a few other chances and let a guy in a Jeep who was in front of us on our way in for a try at elk take his chances with a couple more before we went through.

[AxeMan]

We saw more than I thought we would in 350 on Saturday. We had a feed of ruffies on Sunday for dinner. Probably saw close to 20 ruffies on Saturday afternoon and evening.

[Arn?Narn.]

Counted 62 today...Shot 5 for some soup... my buddy shot 18 or 19...
This is by Far the best year I have seen for grouse since 2006

[botwood]

Out for the day looking for a deer, saw 9 spruce grouse shot 3 of them, 1 ruffed grouse missed him (in the first few hrs of the day). All in all I think the numbers are not too bad just west of Calgary. At least I'm starting to notice that there are lots of spruce Grouse but very few Ruffed.

[BrownBear416]

Lots around Slave this year..

Shot 7 the other day and seen close to 20 ...

[Howard Hutchinson]

Was out with the lady last Sat. in 346 on a side-road, off of the Windfall/Groat Creek road..None on that narrow lil. road but driving slow you had to have your window open and listen for them to run on the dry leaves...Probably 15 or more and those were the ones I stopped for ! Weren't shooting them but still neat to see.. Most I have seen all year. Stopped to speak with an older couple out grousin and they didn't see any..Told them that you had to hear-em....

[DanJ]

I was deer hunting in 406 yesterday and I heard a ruffed grouse drumming. I love that sound; it means there is a partridge in the woods, he's feeling good and doesn't care who knows it. I flushed another about half a mile away.

No one loves to eat partridge more than I do but I'm sticking to my resolution to not hunt them any more this year. It's a tough year for them and they don't need any more pressure. My favorite covert is barren. I might even try to do them a favor and terminate a coyote.

[Supermag]

Counted 62 today...Shot 5 for some soup... my buddy shot 18 or 19...
This is by Far the best year I have seen for grouse since 2006

I'm going to assume that was over a couple trips.:confused:

[Alberta Bigbore]

Seen a handful in 936 yesterday, only came home with 4. Had fun with the red dot sight on my 10/22

[bezzola]

traveled the back roads between wildwood and the peers hiway shot my limit and seen a bunch more all ruffs on saturday

[Arn?Narn.]

I'm going to assume that was over a couple trips.:confused:

nope... saw em all in the one day...they are everywhere, some in flocks just walking around the bush...
one of the best years I have seen...

[trooper]

I live near Tofield. We had loads of Grouse last year and bush rabbits as well. This year we haven't seen any around the house (our house is surrounded by heavy woods). We have had more than our share of Coyotes though.

[valve god]

Saturday was morning was great hunting for grouse. Very slow drives down treed covered lease roads. Never limited out but there was alot of mature birds.

[MK2750]

We got a few yesterday where none were to be found early in the year. There is a ton of berries in the woods this year and I don't think they have to move much to find food.

[Supermag]

nope... saw em all in the one day...they are everywhere, some in flocks just walking around the bush...
one of the best years I have seen...

What I was getting at was your buddy shooting almost double his daily limit of 10. Hopefully that was not the case.

[Ryan R]

What I was getting at was your buddy shooting almost double his daily limit of 10. Hopefully that was not the case.

If he was going for both ruffies and sprucies and he got nine of each then he'd be fine.

[Arn?Narn.]

If he was going for both ruffies and sprucies and he got nine of each then he'd be fine.

throw in a couple of blues and not even close to a limit in either species...

[HunterDave]

Was in 506 today and was cruising on the quad during the day. I saw lots of ruffies. I even had one feeding 20 feet in front of me at last light. The population this year seems healthy enough in 506 but I've only spent one day there so far.

[Arn?Narn.]

Got out for a poke around this morning...

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p125/ithicaxl/005-16.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p125/ithicaxl/010-12.jpg

[Supermag]

throw in a couple of blues and not even close to a limit in either species...

Nice! I'd love to get a blue. That would be a sweet one to have mounted. I've never even seen one.

Peace River area? Do you know if there are any near Spirit River?

I managed 3 Ruffies and a Spruce near Whitecourt on the weekend, but that's after hunting the morning, and before the evening hunt for elk, (no luck) so I probably could have gotten more with a longer effort.

Do you guys hunt with dogs? I usually just drive or walk the lease roads and/or quad trails.

I prefer the shotgun as well.

[DuckBrat]

Blue Grouse are in the extreme western edge of Foothills and mostly in the Mountains. You have to hunt them early in September before they disperse in to the high tree-line. When they do, you will walk miles in between birds. In Early fall you will find them with the ruffed and Spruce grouse again on the western edge of the foothills.

[Arn?Narn.]

Nice! I'd love to get a blue. That would be a sweet one to have mounted. I've never even seen one.

Peace River area? Do you know if there are any near Spirit River?

I managed 3 Ruffies and a Spruce near Whitecourt on the weekend, but that's after hunting the morning, and before the evening hunt for elk, (no luck) so I probably could have gotten more with a longer effort.

Do you guys hunt with dogs? I usually just drive or walk the lease roads and/or quad trails.

I prefer the shotgun as well.



If ya get down to GP, let me know. We'll go for a day and you can do all the shooting...:)

[recce43]

lots of ruffies in 210 at my buddies place

[Supermag]

If ya get down to GP, let me know. We'll go for a day and you can do all the shooting...:)

Thanks!

You never know, if we tag out early on our elk, maybe we'll swing through GP for a visit and a beer!

Cheers,

Dave

[Arn?Narn.]

Lots of Grouse around again today...

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p125/ithicaxl/176-1.jpg

[Bassett]

Ive put on alot of miles this hunting season, looking for a moose with our bow. Every weekend id see close to 20-30... But all ruffies. I havent seen a single sharpie, but I did manage to see 1 spruce.. Thats in 2 months of hunting!

Grouse are out there, just gotta know where to look for em', i see Arn?Narn has got that down to a fine art!

Hopefully we get some frost or snow soon and theyll be out of the thicker bush.

On a side note, seen tones of rabbits!

[conner]

Me and the wife got our limit in 2 1/2 hrs in 353/354 last weekend !!

[philthygeezer]

Middle of the 10 year cycle? How are the varying hares?

[KegRiver]

Went Moose scouting today. No Moose, plenty of grouse.


Saw mostly Ruffed, but did find a few Spruce.

All photos shot today in WMU524

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5153009980_ea9672fb96.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1086/5152337215_55051a9f09.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/5152328653_efd50e07a9.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/5152320055_eef938a5fb.jpg

[Arn?Narn.]

Middle of the 10 year cycle? How are the varying hares?

Seen quite a few hares,...gonna give it a nother month before I start shooting them. They are already sticking out like sore thumbs...

saw a couple of rabbits as well...which I rarely see.

[colour86]

Was out looking for deer near whitecourt today and saw
a bunch. Got 5 total. 2 spruce/ 3 ruffies. Not a
single deer though and was looking forward
to getting my first one. O well, now i just
have whitetail tags to fill.

[roger]

out north of rocky mt house.
very low, 12 trips...less than 10 spruce and riffs total dont even pack the 22 anymore.
could it be a 'wet chick' season from the monsoon rain??

[savagencounter]

limited out every time . best year ive seen in the last 3. Wait till theres frost an they will be eating the clover at the edge of the road as soon as it warms up a bit. awsome year for ruffies.:sHa_shakeshout::sHa_shakeshout::sHa_shake shout:

[mongo]

seen one in zone 138 in years of hunting this zone i live in .used to be lots.

[Jadham]

Every day out this year I seen several.... prairie, foothills, mountains... didn't matter. Have shot some and noted the others when I wasn't carrying the right firearm. Best year in the last few from my point of view.

[dfrobert]

Kegriver,

Nice shots of the birds. What kind of camera do you use?? We are headed up to the Chinchaga area for a bull moose on Thursday morning.

[Arn?Narn.]

saw quite afew around again today...but for some reason, where all the Sprucs were, there are now only Ruffs...

[cover]

Went Moose scouting today. No Moose, plenty of grouse.


Saw mostly Ruffed, but did find a few Spruce.

All photos shot today in WMU524

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5153009980_ea9672fb96.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1086/5152337215_55051a9f09.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/5152328653_efd50e07a9.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/5152320055_eef938a5fb.jpg




Great photos....

[Tikka300]

Absolutely tons of grouse in 524!!!! Couldn't believe how many ruffies we were shooting had an awesome feed at camp and a few for everyone to bring home. Managed to get 1 small bull moose but we were having a tough time finding the moose, they didn't seem to be moving much.

[crosby87]

Tons down in 234!!! Come across groups of 10-15 numerous times. Although I have a uplands licence this year, I am choosing not to shoot any, as I have heard the overall provincial population is down.

[albertarookie]

I was out for about an hour just on the home place south of whitecourt in 346 and bagged 2 ruffies. But the pickins are definately slim. I atribute it to my neighbours dog out here though

[Duramax01]

Just got back from hunt in 359, damn near tripping on the little buggers. Every corner we seemed to turn there two to four ruffies, flushing from their spots.

[albertarookie]

I forgot to mention I'm going out to do another "count" tomorrow afternoon

[Arn?Narn.]

shot 6 today down on Wolf Creek...

[Rocks]

Got seven in the last 3 days, all north of GC. The first three went into a chicken cacciatore a la Duane Radford's recipe in the last AO magazine, it was awesome!

[ULTRAlite]

Seen more sharptails in 162 than I have in a decade. Everywhere. Good to see again :)

[KegRiver]

Kegriver,

Nice shots of the birds. What kind of camera do you use?? We are headed up to the Chinchaga area for a bull moose on Thursday morning.

Thanks cover,

Thanks dfrobert,

I use a Canon XSI but the lens has more to do with the results then the camera. I use a Canon EF 100-400mm IS L Telephoto Zoom Lens.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc278/KegRiver/canon-100-400mm-is.jpg

I don't have a good photo of my gear but this is almost exactly the same setup. Only a different tripod. My tripod is a Manfrotto 055 model with a Manfrotto Basic Pan Tilt Head.

I hear that there are very few Moose on the east side of 524, I was out there a few days ago and saw nothing, no tracks, no gut piles, nothing.
Word is you have to do out close to the Chinchaga River to find Moose this fall.

[cacty]

Anybody ever seen a Sage Grouse? Im too young to remember them as the season was closed by the time I came of age?

[iNeverMiss]

Grouse seem to be looking mighty swell this year, population has definitely gone up since last year, been scouting over the past week, seen around 30+ so far :sHa_shakeshout:. Anyone else seeing the increase in #’s?

[Loki610]

finding lots of sharpies in the canola fields around warner!

[guage]

Where abouts would that be for the grouse? (general wmu that is :)