Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigwoodsman
I hunt them all day long. Look in the sunny spots!
BW
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Definitely as temps cool down
Quote:
Originally Posted by onetreeman
With grouse I've seen quite a few walking into my blinds early morning. Before sunrise they were off the ground on branches. Once the sun was up they seemed to be on the transitions from thick spruce to open areas.
A few things I do when actually hunting for grouse are:
-Look for food sources like bog cranberries, bunch berries, alder buds.
-Walk slow, scan for their heads moving back and forth as they walk. I usually walk 10 yards then stop to scan the base of every tree or thick bush.
- listen for the sound they make before flushing, it's sort of like the sound of water dripping but rapid.
- if you flush one follow in the direction they went then go super slow after you walk 20-30 yards. They don't seem to go much farther than 40 yards.
- if you see one and it takes off check for more before you chase after it. I've made the mistake of being too focused on the one that left while there were more hiding in close proximity.
Last year I came across groups of ruffies bunched up sometimes 6-8 at a time . This year so far only single birds. Maybe the dry conditions have had an effect on food sources and population numbers. Super fun with the bow!
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Excellent post...haven't been out for ruffies this year yet but the region we usually hunt has two areas about 25 K apart with relatively same terrain, bush, etc., so have to decide which we’re gonna hit first any particular day. Had good success morning, mid-day and dusk, just depends on the day and area. Made the wrong call and spent half a day and saw diddly at the 1st spot, went north a half hr and hit the jackpot and vice versa.
One day I recall in particular, hunting a new area, we had thoroughly combed it and did so/so (had a couple each) but on a whim decided to try an obscure, short trail on the way out. Picked up 3 more beautys within a ˝ mile stretch, and all on the same side for some reason??? You just never know.
Few more things with ruffed grouse...where there's one there is usually more closeby. If you think you are going slow, sometimes it pays to slow down even more. I have even stumbled upon a ruffy upon going in after a sprucie. Head in after them even if they flush, most times you will get another chance at them.