Late season grouse

[AaronM]

Thinking about doing a little late season grouse hunting next weekend, any tips? Heading up north to big woods and hope to flush a few. Thanks for any help!

[Tom7227]

Deer season's last weekend is this weekend I think. Act and dress accordingly is the best advice I can offer.

[AaronM]

It'll be on private property, but I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

[TylerS]

From what I've been hearing, the birds are getting dumb again. My relatives were finding them like crazy, and they'd either just sit on the trail or fly into overhanging branches and perch.

[Matt Breuer]

I don't think they revert back to being young and dumb, Tyler. I would assume they were finding new birds, which is normal for later in the season, when the food sources begin to dwindle in the deeper woods, or the birds want to get the last of the trail-side clover and berries before the snow sets in. Also, once snow hits, the birds begin moving into different areas in their "range", many have never seen a person or dog in their life.

I think you'd be safe following the same patterns, unless you're hunting a snow-bogged area. In that case, follow fresh tracks, look in the trees, and find a good mix with pines mixed or nearby.

Good luck! Nothing better than snow-ruffs!

[AaronM]

Supposed to be -20 below next weekend! Does that shut the hunting down?

[Pinusbanksiana]

20 below freezes all the water that has been keeping me out of secret spot off the beaten path and not accessible during regular season. I don't care for too much snow though, especially snow on the tree limbs that soak me as I follow the dogs.

[TylerS]

I don't think they revert back to being young and dumb, Tyler. I would assume they were finding new birds, which is normal for later in the season, when the food sources begin to dwindle in the deeper woods, or the birds want to get the last of the trail-side clover and berries before the snow sets in. Also, once snow hits, the birds begin moving into different areas in their "range", many have never seen a person or dog in their life.

I think you'd be safe following the same patterns, unless you're hunting a snow-bogged area. In that case, follow fresh tracks, look in the trees, and find a good mix with pines mixed or nearby.

Good luck! Nothing better than snow-ruffs!

Whether the birds are getting dumb because they haven't been hunted hard since deer opener, or there are fresh birds showing up, the concept is the same: huntable birds are around.

[AaronM]

How do the grouse normally hold in cold weather?

[jjz]

They are generally move into thicker stuff. Usually swampy stuff, sometimes evergreens. Generally they concentrate in these areas. Can make for real slow days if you dont find what they want and some great days if you do.