Ruffed Grouse Hunting
- Thread starter omsrud
- Start date
T
tOlzon
Guest
I wouldn't expect to see too many people. First of all, the woods are generally full of foliage on the opener and a lot of people wait until the leaves have fallen off the trees. Secondly, the ratio of land to hunters is a lot better than for pheasant hunting. You'll likely see more deer hunters than grouse hunters.
As far as tips, what's worked for me on the opener (and throughout the rest of the year, actually) is to walk fire roads. You won't get a shot off in the thick woods, so your best bet is to catch them loafing on the side of the road early in the morning.
I hope you're a quick shot! Good luck.
As far as tips, what's worked for me on the opener (and throughout the rest of the year, actually) is to walk fire roads. You won't get a shot off in the thick woods, so your best bet is to catch them loafing on the side of the road early in the morning.
I hope you're a quick shot! Good luck.
Uncle Buck
New member
I have not hunted ruffs a lot, 8-9 times, but one early season problem is vegetation, leaves on trees etc. Close hunting dog with bell or beeper will help. It is nice to have cool weather.
We were in Dryden Canada two years ago mid Sept. and the leaves were still on the trees after a pretty hard frost the morning we arrived. Most of the "hunters"were cruising the trails on 4 wheelers at sunset when the grouse came out. We shot 5 hunting near clearcuts earlier in the mornings in about 10 hrs of hunting, two each day. It got rather warm after 10:00-time to fish!
________
Buy portable vaporizer
We were in Dryden Canada two years ago mid Sept. and the leaves were still on the trees after a pretty hard frost the morning we arrived. Most of the "hunters"were cruising the trails on 4 wheelers at sunset when the grouse came out. We shot 5 hunting near clearcuts earlier in the mornings in about 10 hrs of hunting, two each day. It got rather warm after 10:00-time to fish!
________
Buy portable vaporizer
Last edited:
BRITTMAN
Well-known member
Opening day in the PR region will be busy on public land ... the count is up ...
Most are road hunters. Correct that some trail heads will have vehicles there for deer - bow hunters also.
The grouse will also be on the trails if clover is present. Clover and dogwood berries are the predominant food sources for ruffed grouse the 1st three weeks of the season.
Walk the trails and stop occasionally - like they say to do for pheasants. Grouse that are feeding on the trails will often just move a few yards off into nearest cover. Stopping gets the birds nervous. The old birds will flush away from the trail, BUT more often than not a few will flush and fly straight down the trail providing a nice shot ...
Most are road hunters. Correct that some trail heads will have vehicles there for deer - bow hunters also.
The grouse will also be on the trails if clover is present. Clover and dogwood berries are the predominant food sources for ruffed grouse the 1st three weeks of the season.
Walk the trails and stop occasionally - like they say to do for pheasants. Grouse that are feeding on the trails will often just move a few yards off into nearest cover. Stopping gets the birds nervous. The old birds will flush away from the trail, BUT more often than not a few will flush and fly straight down the trail providing a nice shot ...
Uncle Buck
New member
Hey. The weather should be reasonably cool and fall is here.
________
Toyota Tr Engine Specifications
________
Toyota Tr Engine Specifications
Last edited:
Well, hunted for three hours, sticking to the trails and only one "flush." Didn't think to go cross country through some recent clear cut areas - mostly stuck to the trails. It was fun regardless and I will definitely try it again. I am through and through a prairie guy. But I like the woods, too, this is another way to appreciate the north country.
My dog did retrieve one bird. He found it dead along side the house after we got back from hunting. I don't know if it hit the picture window and then something munched on it, or if something got it in the night and chose to dine along side the cabin. It's eyes were pecked out and there was a whole in the guts with the some entrails hanging out, but it was otherwise fresh. I sent the dog out later in the day and discovered much to my chagrin that he went and found it in the woods and ate about half of it, feathers and all. Thankfully no puke yet.
My dog did retrieve one bird. He found it dead along side the house after we got back from hunting. I don't know if it hit the picture window and then something munched on it, or if something got it in the night and chose to dine along side the cabin. It's eyes were pecked out and there was a whole in the guts with the some entrails hanging out, but it was otherwise fresh. I sent the dog out later in the day and discovered much to my chagrin that he went and found it in the woods and ate about half of it, feathers and all. Thankfully no puke yet.