First grouse hunt of the season. (pics)

Thanks. Never knew it'd be that easy.

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The sound's a bit freaky the first couple times you hear it. Make sure you're stepping on the wings right close to the body.

Thanks for the tip. Going to take my .22 to elk camp this year. If I fill the elk tag, I'll keep hunting by focussing on grouse.

Last time one of the guys got one, I skinned it with a knife not realizing such a simple task it could have been.

Looks great!

sbarkowski said:

Northern Ontario Canada in the small town of North Bay.

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Near Sudbury? Great Pics of gray phase birds.

nice!! im gonna try my hand at grouse this year since i just moved up to the mountains

I hunt ruffed grouse a couple weekends a year, one of the most challenging birds to hunt with a shotgun IF you don't ground swat or tree swat them.
The population in Ohio has declined dramatically over the past 30 years that I have chased them. I usually take trips to the northern states.
Our Wisconsin trip last weekend, I think we ran across 12 birds per day at most, plus several woodcock. Leaves were still thick on the trees, so shots were tough on flushes.
Fortunately we had an older Lab with us, the birds sat tight and with the closer ranging and slower pacing dog, had better shot opportunities. We mostly see gray phase birds. Southern Ohio birds seem to be the rufous phase mostly, which I think is a prettier bird. They both taste mighty good breasted out and pan fried in butter, salt and tarragon!
I usually use my Beretta 390 20 gauge semi-auto with warm 7/8 oz. loads of 6 shot, I/C choke. Seems to be a pretty good combo.

sbarkowski said:

Yes, 2 hours east of Sudbury. North shore of Lake Nippissing.

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I had the pleasure to fish Lake Onaping years ago, beautiful country up there.

I love using that technique you demonstrated...step on the wings, grab the feet and pull. Easiest thing to clean on the planet.

My first ruffed grouse/partridge hunt was just this past Saturday as well. Got beginners luck and took 3 partridge down with one shot!

I also made nuggets/tenders out of them. Just about like chicken as far as I could tell.

sbarkowski said:

3 with one shot? now thats one way of conserving ammo. congrats!

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Yeah, it was some sort of lucky shot thats for sure! Ironically, it was my first time hunting (anything for that matter), and first time using that particular shotgun. I had touched off 2 shots earlier in the day, that were clean misses, and this 3rd shot was my final of the day. So at least, all in all my record averaged 1 for 1.

I might have to try that potato chip idea. Sounds great!

Nice work! I went on my first grouse hunt of the season Monday and Tuesday, there are an unusual amount of birds around this year up my way. I only shot one on Monday (got a late start to the day) but got my limit (4) on Tuesday. We saw 19 birds on Tuesday alone, but they seem more easily spooked this year, I was only able to shoot one on the fly. It's a great season for them. I cooked some up tonight, they were great.