[Johnpl]

Numbers are down in Massachusetts, it seems. I hunt several places where Burton Spiller's spirit dwells, and still haven't seen any! Good cover, wild grapes, winterberry, stone walls, drumming logs, and nothing! Everyone I talk to around here says the same thing. I'm concerned that it's more than the 10 year cycle, as I've read several articles about a steady downward trend in numbers. How are numbers elsewhere in the country?

[mete]

That's why they say that grouse hunting involves lots of walking and little shooting. And that's why they make very light O/U s such as Beretta's which is under 6 lbs.

[huntsman]

the grouse pop has dropped so low in my part of ohio I quit hunting them.

I noticed a few seasons back that in most coverts I'd only move a couple birds, and if I took those birds early, the cover would stay bare the rest of the season , maybe two seasons.

This leads me to believe you can shoot out a covert even if there is plenty of food & cover.

[SteelyDan]

I haven't hunted them for years, but I was talking to a guy last weekend who said the numbers are down in the area he hunts, south of Duluth a ways. Which is a drag because you need more than one per person, unless you just want an appetizer.

[BrianN]

Sorry fellas- They're all in Oregon!;)

[TNT]

They are down this year. It's always a cycle it seems. Some years I can barely move thru the woods without having a grouse fly in front of me. Maybe next year.

[kentucky bucky]

If you're like me you'll find them all on one hill, but only when you're deer hunting.:cuss:

[Bigjake]

they say the decline in ohio is due to you cute little house kitty not being kept in the HOUSE where it belongs... we need a cat season here with baited hunts to bring the pop back down to healthly levels :evil:

[ACP230]

There's a few grouse in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Unfortunately, I've been sick so I've only been out twice since the season opened September 15.