Grouse Report

[BarnesX.308]

Bow hunted southeastern Sullivan County and I've never seen so many grouse. I must have flushed 20 and I wasn't even small game hunting. While I was sitting on the ground, I had one walk right up to me. My dad also said he's never seen so many grouse. I also saw two flocks of turkeys today. Didn't get a count on the one. The other was only 5 or 6 birds. No woodcock yet.

[massbaster]

ohhhhh. I got a bit giddy reading this...I had a good feeling about this season. The spring and summer were prime for polt.... WHOO HOO!!!!!

[The Wadd]

:shoot::shoot::shoot::shoot::thup:

[RUSS0079]

Good sign, but just remember they are still brooded up.. So you'll have alot of flushes close together, but still a good sign....

[massbaster]

ohhhhh....... like flushing a covey of quail.... :shoot::yahooo:

[BarnesX.308]

but just remember they are still brooded up.. So you'll have alot of flushes close together, but still a good sign....

That just means you have to put more miles on the old boots later on in the season. :thup: I like getting out and hiking.

[RUSS0079]

That reminds me, I need to get a new pair of upland boots. I walked the soles off my Rockys last year...

[ACEarcher]

Man is grouse hunting this much fun? I only say so cause I've never been. I've always heard they flush soooooo fast. Like pheasants on speed. I've kicked them up on bear drives in swamps and sometimes randomly walking around in my Northern spots. I onestly have to say though the ones that I've flushed up in the swamps while out for bear scared the S**T out of me!!!!! Swamps so mean you can only see about 4 ft infront of you and a grouse all a sudden flys up in your face. Crazy stuff.

[massbaster]

I love grouse hunting because.....

I love grouse hunting because.....They fly like turbo chickens...

I love grouse hunting because.....They are breed and raised natural in the environment and with that learn to live by reacting to predators, not stocked like the mindless pheasant that you can almost pick up with your hand.

I love grouse hunting because.....When I shoot a grouse I feel like Im actually hunting unlike arriving at xyz because the day before someone left 500 birds fly out in the exact location.

I love grouse hunting because.....where the grouse are isnt were the 350 zillion azzhat hunters who will take your head off are...grouse dont sit in fields waving at you then running around like rabbits....they are deep in the thick stuff that will test your drive to hunt and when you find one they will fly..oh they will fly fast too....

I love grouse hunting because.....when I shoot a grouse I know I am the one who shot it...I dont have to contest it with 3 other hunters pointing loaded firearms at you....

I love grouse hunting because.....im upstate in the middle of nowhere where only the grouse live these days....not in the first sgl next to a city with the pumpkin armys.....

I love grouse hunting because.....when my dog scents a wild grouse im almost as excited to seem him lockup as I am to flush the speedster and take a shot....

I love grouse hunting because.....when I shoot a grouse, i know I worked hard and have a sence of accomplishment.

I love grouse hunting because.....

[ACEarcher]

I guess you really like grouse hunting lol. Maybe I'll try it this year.

[RUSS0079]

Adam,
I suggest you go with someone who is really into grouse hunting. Reason being you'll have a better chance at seeing them, then you can try to hit them. You'll find that most folks that hunt grouse, really, are alittle obsessed with the bird.. When you bag your first bird, you'll never forget it. I remember everspot my bird dogs had gotten their first grouse, and the one after that and the one after that and the one after that and soo on. Be prepared to walk, find the food, cover and water close by and you'll have at least one bird.. Oh yea don't hit the woods until about 0900 HRS, Grouse take their time getting down from the roost.. You get out early and they'll sit on a branch and watch you walk underneath them.
Russ

[massbaster]

Adam,
You'll find that most folks that hunt grouse, really, are alittle obsessed with the bird..

im not obsessed lol :wave:

[ACEarcher]

Well the hiking and searching challenge is something I would look forward too. Well if anybody has an open spot please besure to notify me. I would like to give this a try.

[BarnesX.308]

I always flushed many but never get a shot. First I hear them, my heart starts beating again, I look over to where I hear the wings beating, and by the time I see the bird, it's 30 yards away with 100 trees in the way. I think I've only pulled the trigger a handful of times. My dad got one. He actually shot it on the ground. It's the only one we've ever got.

Then again, we've never hunted with a dog and don't grouse hunt all that much. The times I have flushed grouse that presented a shot are when I had my bow, rifle or muzzle loader. :D

[RUSS0079]

Scott,
I can't believe you just admitted that your dad shot a grouse on the ground. :D You are setting a bad example for young Adam. ;)I do suggest you hunt grouse with us, when were up.. We'll get you shots. I think you've been contaminated by those Montco Pheasant hunters, with them stocked birds:razz: Adam, I would be happy to have you up to our place, as long as you don't shoot the brids on the ground. The birds are much to noble to be slain on the ground or on a tree branch.. Ahhh the beauty of a German Shorthair on point.. That's the way to do it!!!

[The Wadd]

The Funny thing when I got Grouse is when my Dog Is working back to me and bumps the Bird towards me! That was with my old Dog Venus! I havent Shot a Grouse with my new Girl,Liberty I think its because she Hunts Closer, And the Birds bump further out! I no she has the nose for them, maybe Ill hunt slower! Every time in the woods is a learning experiance! Now for Pheasants She`s The Pheasanater!:shoot:

[RUSS0079]

Wadd,
How old is Liberty????

[The Wadd]

She just turned 2!

[RUSS0079]

Stick with her. they don't realize that they can't crowd grouse until about 3 years old.. You'll see. My first german shorthair did the same thing. I was just lucky to shoot several birds over him in those first 3 years.

[The Wadd]

Stick with her. they don't realize that they can't crowd grouse until about 3 years old.. You'll see. My first german shorthair did the same thing. I was just lucky to shoot several birds over him in those first 3 years. I no what your talking about! Hunters should no that a Good dog no`s more about Hunting than We do! You Have to let them come into thier own! Then Just Tweek Them A Little! Well My Girl Is telling me Its Din Din Time! Yes Dear!:thup:

[ACEarcher]

Thanks Russ, I'll probably be taking you up on your offer. Now that some of the SGL lands are stocked for the JR season I hope to take Ruger (my GSHP) out and get him some experience on real birds. If I'm not mistaken after the JR season is over you can take your dog out trainning. I guess I should start practicing my skeet shooting now for those ditch chickens.

[BarnesX.308]

I think you've been contaminated by those Montco Pheasant hunters, with them stocked birds

I've only shot one of those birds and it was becaus i thought it was a rabbit coming through. You see, we're 1st generation Germans and we need out Hassenpfeffer!!! :D

I've shot at more than a few grouse......and they have my respect. :thup:

[RUSS0079]

I under stand, DUTCHY... As you know my sir name is HITTLE. Thus I know how important your Hassenpfeffer is, but I have never seen a furry grouse:razz: Either way the season is coming soon.

[RUSS0079]

Thanks Russ, I'll probably be taking you up on your offer. Now that some of the SGL lands are stocked for the JR season I hope to take Ruger (my GSHP) out and get him some experience on real birds. If I'm not mistaken after the JR season is over you can take your dog out trainning. I guess I should start practicing my skeet shooting now for those ditch chickens.

I'd have to call the warden to find out if you can train during the JR season. how old is your dog? When I train, I put pups up to 1 1/2 years on pigeons that I catch from local farms. You can work on points, steady, WHOA! and retrieves... I think its great to get them on bird scent and pheasants, but under stand also that Pheasant are pretty much the smellest brids in the woods.. Grouse on the other hand are not... Ditch Chickens???:nuts: Never heard that one before. Is that a Bucks County think:)

[ACEarcher]

LOL nah I did a pheasant research study for an area in SW Pa. We traded some turkeys to a bunch of SD guys for some wild SD pheasants. I did a crowing count survey, dominate male survey and a habitat assessment survey. I think it was the SD guys that called them ditch chickens. I just got used to calling upland fowl ditch chickens.

Ruger is about 2 (I think). He's got a bad history. He needs a lot of work. I'm still trying to work him. If it turns out that he isen't going to be the field dog I really want than so be it. He'll be an excellent house/family dog. He's been givin up on before and he dosen't deserve it again. He's to much of a good boy for that. I'll try and get you some pics of him and the "list" of his history so you can see what I'm working with.

The period of Oct 19-24 you can take you dog out for trainning. The Jr. season is over and the regular season hasen't started yet. So its the time inbetween the 2 seasons.

Oh and BTW young Adam ! I'm flattered!!

[jessiedog]

nothing compares with partridge (grouse)!! i will be heading up to Maine next sunday for a week with my GSP for the third year. last year got my first double and flushed many birds. problem is that you eventually have to come back to NJ.... if you are looking to really get a taste of partridge hunting, i would head up to Maine. and while a dog is helpful (especially for woodcock, which tend to hold), we actually had more shots when we walked without the dog.