where should I go for grouse hunting close to Calgary area?

NEWMAYOR · #1 09-05-2016, 07:50 PM

Hi,

I want to try the grouse hunting this year, where should I go for grouse hunting close to Calgary area?

Thanks.

Slicktricker · #2 09-05-2016, 07:54 PM

Find any back road and walk the thickets they seem to be everywhere

NEWMAYOR · #3 09-05-2016, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slicktricker

Find any back road and walk the thickets they seem to be everywhere

thanks

Slicktricker · #4 09-05-2016, 09:03 PM

they sure are in great numbers north and west of Rocky right now seeing them just about everywhere

NEWMAYOR · #5 09-05-2016, 09:14 PM

would you mind to recommend me some locations?

Thanks.

Slicktricker · #6 09-05-2016, 09:21 PM

West on Crimson lake road lots of willow thickets and enough lease roads that will take you a month to tour all of them. West on highway 11 to chambers creek east road. Bring a deer tag happens to be a ton of them In this area as well

JWCalgary · #7 09-05-2016, 09:22 PM

You need to get out on some tree lined gravel roads. There r grouse out there but you have to put boots to the ground and look.

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jacenbeers · #8 09-05-2016, 11:17 PM

I got my limit on 312 of ruffles on Friday. Numbers are good out there

HunterDave · #9 09-06-2016, 12:01 AM

At the grousery store.

Pasc43 · #10 09-06-2016, 09:17 AM

Not in 316, was skunked out there yesterday. First time grouse hunting as well so I was probably in bad habitat.

JR1992 · #11 09-06-2016, 10:32 AM

Also interested in this. Tried 304 last year, found nothing. I'm gonna try west of Turner Valley also this year.

Abe89 · #12 09-06-2016, 02:58 PM

Flushed 5 the other day, few short hours. Never caught more than a blurr in deep cover...its hard to be both dog and shooter.

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CF8889 · #13 09-06-2016, 04:00 PM

Gonna keep and eye out in 316, might try up by RMH though.

JR1992 · #14 09-06-2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abe89

Flushed 5 the other day, few short hours. Never caught more than a blurr in deep cover...its hard to be both dog and shooter.

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Which WMU?

turbolab · #15 09-06-2016, 06:14 PM

got 2 in 412 but covered a huge amount of area to find them. one spruce and a ruffie

Ranch11 · #16 09-06-2016, 06:33 PM

Head out towards Acme, in and around the coullees we used to see and shoot quite a few out there.

^v^Tinda wolf^v^ · #17 09-06-2016, 09:22 PM

Try 318 follow the cut lines and quad trails you will have your limit before lunch time.

JR1992 · #18 09-07-2016, 01:06 PM

In 304 right now. I've got nothing but another guy I bumped into in here got 4 ruffies.

Abe89 · #19 09-07-2016, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranch11

Head out towards Acme, in and around the coullees we used to see and shoot quite a few out there.

What species? Im assuming sharp tailed? Which isnt open until october? (Running by memory)

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Abe89 · #20 09-07-2016, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR1992

Which WMU?

216.

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osterous · #21 09-07-2016, 02:56 PM

Was out to the Porcupine Hills (WMU 305) twice. A lot of walking and driving. Saw one and got one. Ran into a couple of elk hunters (bow season opened same day as grouse) and they didn't see any either. Great last year.
Just a note on Chambers Creek (WMU 328), bambi season opens Spt 17th.
Am heading up to West Chambers Friday.

JR1992 · #22 09-07-2016, 07:49 PM

Went out to 304 today. I was out there for 2 hours and didn't see anything but now upon research I'm pretty sure I didn't go far enough in? I took 22 south, left on 520, left on the gravel road then the furthest I got was 4km in before turning around. I fell short of the campground that is ahead. I'm told that there is lots of wildlife on the quad trails around the campground?

CF8889 · #23 09-08-2016, 09:13 AM

I might go out to 318 this Sunday. If you wanna come along and split gas, shoot me a PM. First time grouse hunting for me too.

JR1992 · #24 09-08-2016, 01:28 PM

1st day of 406 today. Went west of Turner valley and walked a few km at the K country entrance. Nothing again

Edit: pretty sure around Calgary is kinda crappy for population this year. Gonna hit up some of the other places mentioned next time

ak-71 · #25 09-08-2016, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR1992

In 304 right now. I've got nothing but another guy I bumped into in here got 4 ruffies.

I am sure this guy just got lucky.
BTW he also bumped 2 more in this general area, but didn't have enough time/skills to get a shot in dense spruce. Was nice meeting you, btw

JR1992 · #26 09-08-2016, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ak-71

I am sure this guy just got lucky.
BTW he also bumped 2 more in this general area, but didn't have enough time/skills to get a shot in dense spruce. Was nice meeting you, btw

Haha you're very astute. Likewise, and gratz on your ruffies.

ak-71 · #27 09-08-2016, 10:14 PM

BTW, JR1992, I know it sounds weird, but I am pretty sure that later in the evening, when I went back, I heard a bear cub in the area where we met before (not an expert, but sounded a lot like a "lost cub" videos on youtube, only a bit more panicky. May be it was something else (even though I can't imagine something else making a sound like that), but it reminded me to have a bear spray handy for "just in case". Good luck.
PS. Interesting license plate you have

NEWMAYOR · #28 09-09-2016, 06:22 PM

thanks all.

JWCalgary · #29 09-12-2016, 08:55 AM

For the newbie grouse hunters, here's a tip. Walk slowly and keep your ears open. Each successful grouse hunt for me has been typically spotting them bobbing their heads under dense trees or hearing them moving through dry leaves. This weekend in 402 it was the latter. A grouse will often move away from you just a few feet as you approach.

This is when you can hear them rustling leaves etc. Go slow and you'll hear em. Ps: the darn squirrels are often mistaken by me for a potential target!

Ps: bacon wrapped grouse with thyme over a campfire is so good!!

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Bubba2u · #30 09-12-2016, 09:28 PM

[QUOTE=JWCalgary;3327260]For the newbie grouse hunters, here's a tip. Walk slowly and keep your ears open. Each successful grouse hunt for me has been typically spotting them bobbing their heads under dense trees or hearing them moving through dry leaves. This weekend in 402 it was the latter. A grouse will often move away from you just a few feet as you approach.

This is when you can hear them rustling leaves etc. Go slow and you'll hear em. Ps: the darn squirrels are often mistaken by me for a potential target!

Left Calgary at 4:30pm back by 7, flushed about 10 at once. Could have used a couple more shooters with me, I just went by myself. Saw a nice 5x4 whitetail too at 60yrds and deer tracks all over the trail.

If anyone wants to show me how to hunt Huns or pheasant I'll show you where the buck was!