Dogs Range for Hunting Grouse?

[jparrucci]

On opener the dogs probably cost me 3 or so birds because they were too far ahead. The woods are still so thick right now, even 30 yards out a grouse that flushes is gone without even being seen. The area I hunted had some REALLY jumpy grouse this last weekend, and even with 2 good pointing dogs, they birds flushed before we even had a chance. Heard a bunch of birds, saw a couple. 2 shots fired, zero birds in the bag. Still felt great to be out at least. My brittany has somewhat limited grouse experience, so he likes to range more along the lines of my pheasant hunting standards-which is too far IMO for grouse hunting in thick cover. Brought the whistle with and slowed him down later in the day seemed to improve our odds.

[jjz]

A good gun dog, pointer/flusher is a huge assest to any grouse hunter. A great flusher or pointer will usually beat a normal dog of the other breed. In my expierance a great flusher will give plenty of warning of when and where to shoot and be 100% reliable in bringing home the meat. Coneversly a great pointer makes shooting easier and bring home nearly 100% of the birds. Only difference is the training. Depending on how closely you follow how a dog "should hunt" pointers take a little more input to meet those standards, while flushers usually need obiedence and natural talents do the rest. That being said once my springers hunt their last hunt I want a English or Irish Setter to hunt grouse, however I know almost no dog could hunt behind them and put up anything they missed.

[jjz]

To answer the the orignal question anyway is CLOSE! Grouse are lot smarter and quickier to flush than most people give them credit for being. So if your dog is within gun range you will get more chances to kill birds. Grouse seem to be less sensitive to noise than say pheasants (have taken many more rests grouse hunting and kill many more birds within 100 yards of rest area versus pheasants). I have always killed more birds when the dogs (pointers or flushers) are in shotgun range. Many grouse just will not hold for point (pheasants too) so it often pays to be close if you like eating what you hunt. (nothing better than butter fried grouse just done)