My First Grouse Hunt - But Definitely Not My Last!

[308win]

Went on my first Ruffed Grouse hunt today. What a hoot and a lot of work. Three of us hunted two different wildlife areas that are part of the reclaimed coal lands between Zanesville and Coshocton. We had five flushes (three different Grouse we think) and got one. They are pretty darn quick and not very predictable. All in all, a good first outing.

Seems like on every flush except the first I was in a not very good position. I only got shots on two flushes and I am pretty sure I shot behind both times. The second was at the extreme edge of being in range. On the other hand, I missed on the first flush at less than 20 yards but so did both of my hunting partners and they have been hunting them for several years.

I am definitely going to try to get out again before the season is over this year.

 

[davec921]

sounds like a lot of fun.
It does not sound like that area was two far from me.
I live around St marys ohio.
Hopefully my puppy Tabby will be a good gun dog. She is a cockier spaniel
well hope fully next time ya get some your self

 

[308win]

Isn't St Marys around Indian Lake? That is a pretty good drive for you to the Coshocton area isn't it? On the other hand, you do what you have to do. A guy I work with says the Grouse hunting is really good in Michigan (don't know what parts).

 

[bad_aim_billy]

It's tough without dogs, but still a lot of fun.

Don't be fooled by the "aspen only" crowd, as I've flushed them from under pine trees in the past. Of course, I still missed them all....

 

[308win]

We got our first flushes from atop the ridges and just down from the top. The second flush on one bird was at the bottom of the same ridge; the other bird we got up twice flew about 75 yards, sat down and held. They were in old growth that had been partially logged but not clear cut; I understand that grouse like second growth habitat. Lots of briars and honesuckle.

 

[hlq]

Welcome to the sport of upland hunting! I've trying to get tired of it for 40 years.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

My son got two Grouse during Deer season last... From the field to the pan to the belly within 90 minutes. Cubed and saute'd in a splash of wine then mixed in with a Fetucini mix (out of a box no less), with egg noodles. Some of the best dinner a father and son can have back at hunt camp!

Unfortunately Grouse closed at the end of the year so we'll have to wait until summer when it opens again.

I envy you right now!

-Steve

 

[ACP230]

Grouse hunting in MI varies from year to year.
In 2007 we saw many grouse but collected none.

The population was down in our area last year but my teenage son got his first grouse and I shot two.

I have hunted grouse since I was in my teens and love it as much now as I did then.
I hunted for years with a male Springer Spaniel and did my best shooting on birds he jumped out to me. He was excellent on woodcock too.
My son is quite allergic to dogs so we have been hunting without one for the last few years. Still fun and we are learning how to work together to move grouse to each other.