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  #61  
Old 10-14-2019, 08:56 PM
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I've had my dog out a couple times and it seems like numbers are down from past years
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  #62  
Old 10-14-2019, 10:10 PM
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We have been seeing good numbers in my areas this year.

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  #63  
Old 10-15-2019, 05:33 AM
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Got a few more over the weekend checking game cams.....better than turkey!...or a tin of spam
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  #64  
Old 10-15-2019, 08:59 AM
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wandering in 406 left me feeling that Spruce populations are up, and ruffs are down --- at least in my normal hunting areas. YMMV
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  #65  
Old 10-15-2019, 09:48 PM
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Spent the weekend camping in 318

First day out ended with 3 ruffies
Second day out Managed 2 sprucies

V
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  #66  
Old 10-16-2019, 08:44 AM
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Limits every weekend so far
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  #67  
Old 10-17-2019, 01:06 PM
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The grouse population in central Alberta is the lowest I have ever seen. According to my GPS I have put on 107 KM walking in what used to be prime habitat and have only seen 3 birds from a distance. Its very possible that it was the same bird spotted 3 times on different trips.
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  #68  
Old 10-17-2019, 03:11 PM
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Default Grouse numbers

Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostguy6 View Post
The grouse population in central Alberta is the lowest I have ever seen. According to my GPS I have put on 107 KM walking in what used to be prime habitat and have only seen 3 birds from a distance. Its very possible that it was the same bird spotted 3 times on different trips.
Agreed, in my area of east central Alberta, ruffle populations are practically nonexistent, and it I haven’t seen a covey of huns yet this fall. Why they have an extended season around here is completely beyond me?

Last edited by trigger7mm; 10-17-2019 at 03:13 PM. Reason: More info
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  #69  
Old 10-17-2019, 03:49 PM
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With the limited hunting I've done this year in 521 have been seeing many many grouse will be pulling the 410 out next week

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  #70  
Old 10-17-2019, 07:50 PM
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Default Grouse numbers

What I don’t get is that here central Alberta we have more Specklebelly geese than you can imagine, and the limit is only 5 per day, but we have virtually no upland game, and yet there is an extended season. Don’t ask me why?
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  #71  
Old 10-17-2019, 09:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trigger7mm View Post
What I don’t get is that here central Alberta we have more Specklebelly geese than you can imagine, and the limit is only 5 per day, but we have virtually no upland game, and yet there is an extended season. Don’t ask me why?
Migratory waterfowl limits are established under an international treaty. Upland gamebirds are very cyclical and hunting doesn't seem to have as much of an impact on them as predators, weather, habitat etc. That said I was happy to see the limits dropped from 10 to 5 on ruffies.
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  #72  
Old 10-18-2019, 11:07 PM
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Yeah for sure. If there are none around and you cant shoot 5 why would you shoot 10?
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  #73  
Old 10-18-2019, 11:18 PM
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348 seemed fairly good. After a morning sit for Elk on Wednesday, I took 3 with the bow in less than a 1 km walk back to my truck. They sure were tasty in a stir fry tonight.
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  #74  
Old 10-18-2019, 11:25 PM
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Seen a lot of spruce today, a couple of ruffies and even a pair of sharptails.
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  #75  
Old 10-19-2019, 04:56 PM
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My better half and I spent the morning out around the open creek area west of Rimbey, Charley the dog put in lots of time and we only put up one mature bird that will live to drum another day. I would guess the wet spring has had a diverse affect on the hatch for the 2019 season. All the same it was nice to get out on such a beautiful fall day. David.
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  #76  
Old 10-19-2019, 05:29 PM
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didn't seen any on a recent trip in 316
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  #77  
Old 10-19-2019, 06:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trigger7mm View Post
Agreed, in my area of east central Alberta, ruffle populations are practically nonexistent, and it I haven’t seen a covey of huns yet this fall. Why they have an extended season around here is completely beyond me?
If you don't agree with the extended season do your part and don't utilize it. Stay at home...sell your shotguns. I enjoy the extra 6 weeks out there immensely. Does it mean all the serious upland hunters are bagging an extra 200 birds per season? Absolutely not. Some of us are conservatively minded and 1 single wingshot is all that is needed to call the outing a complete success. Get a dog, there's plenty of birds to be hunted in east central Alberta.
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  #78  
Old 10-20-2019, 12:56 AM
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last year out here count was 141 seen

this year 82

hunting different zone too

it was a wet year here though and saw a second clutch of Sharp-tail

the clutch size is down too on the Ruffed (some didn't make it)

but then you have a 20 bird day (seen)

they are just coming to the edges

just beautiful too get out enjoy everyone

upland hunting has a special place in our hearts

get out and have fun fun fun


David
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  #79  
Old 10-20-2019, 06:44 PM
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Seem to be seeing more smaller or juvenile birds this season ,Wonder if it was a late hatch or just luck of the draw.
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  #80  
Old 10-21-2019, 09:27 AM
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Tons in the Wabasca area. Limited on ruffies every day. Big and healthy birds too.
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  #81  
Old 10-21-2019, 10:10 AM
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Was out yesterday, saw 12, got 2. Those other 10 were ninjas in disguise.
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  #82  
Old 10-21-2019, 12:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teledogs View Post
I have been out twice in the Hinton area this fall and I have not seen one yet.
Ive probably seen 2-3 a day just out past Hinton but far less then last year
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  #83  
Old 11-18-2019, 12:43 PM
TippyCanoe TippyCanoe is offline
 
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Now that we're getting later on in the season is anyone seeing more birds? I'm hoping to head out to the Drayton Valley/Cynthia area in a week or so with my kids. Any reports from that area?
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  #84  
Old 11-18-2019, 12:49 PM
aragor764 aragor764 is offline
 
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Still seeing good numbers in 512
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  #85  
Old 11-18-2019, 01:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TippyCanoe View Post
Now that we're getting later on in the season is anyone seeing more birds? I'm hoping to head out to the Drayton Valley/Cynthia area in a week or so with my kids. Any reports from that area?
Seeing the odd grouse around well deer hunting but not enough for an actual grouse hunt

To give you an idea I stopped putting my shotgun in the truck back in September
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  #86  
Old 11-18-2019, 01:43 PM
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We saw maybe 4 grouse along roads or trails in 3 weeks south of GP. The rest we saw were deep in the bush. Didn't even bother with a bird license the last few years.
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  #87  
Old 11-23-2019, 08:41 AM
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Almost spat out my coffee this morning. Wife was looking saying look at those birds running down the walking path. Look out and a dozen spruce females ran past my yard pretty slow. Few chicks in there that were a bit smaller. Watched them go hide in a small group of trees a bit further down.
This might be a pretty good indicator that food sources are an issue if they are coming into residential neighborhoods from the fields.
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  #88  
Old 11-23-2019, 11:02 AM
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Went out again on Wednesday, the weather was great, it was a nice sunny day. We saw 6 and got 3. The ones that got away were very well educated, the moment they saw the vehicle coming they took off into the bush! They were mostly under the trees, on the free of the snow grounds. Haven’t seen any roosting on the trees at all!
Almost by the end of the legal lights time, around 4 pm , came across a mama and baby moose. They were right by the side of the road, maybe 2-3 meters away from us. We stoped and took a better look at them. They moved deeper inside the bush, maybe 20 yards.
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  #89  
Old 11-23-2019, 02:25 PM
trigger7mm trigger7mm is offline
 
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Default Grouse numbers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Prewar View Post
If you don't agree with the extended season do your part and don't utilize it. Stay at home...sell your shotguns. I enjoy the extra 6 weeks out there immensely. Does it mean all the serious upland hunters are bagging an extra 200 birds per season? Absolutely not. Some of us are conservatively minded and 1 single wingshot is all that is needed to call the outing a complete success. Get a dog, there's plenty of birds to be hunted in east central Alberta.
I have 2 labs that are my hunting companions, both are excellent. What I’m saying is that the populations are way down in my area. I wouldn’t have the heart to shoot an upland bird around here. That being said, I did see two ruffles this morning while deer hunting. They were the first ones I’ve seen in a long time. Between hunting, snaring coyotes, and work, I spend a ton of time in the field. It’s great to see that you aren’t one of the guys who have to shoot every bird they get a chance at. You’re right though, nothing beats a nice wing shot on a nice plump upland bird.
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  #90  
Old 11-23-2019, 07:49 PM
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Got rifle...see birds...gonna pack the 410....but I want to get my whitey
Tuff decisions....but good ones to have
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