Anybody seeing grouse out there

[Chef]

Late August/Sept. I was seeing dead young-of-the-year Grouse on Hwy 6 between Emily and Remer on the drive to the Cabin. This indicates by past experience that there was pretty good survival in the area.

[Coach]

Late August/Sept. I was seeing dead young-of-the-year Grouse on Hwy 6 between Emily and Remer on the drive to the Cabin. This indicates by past experience that there was pretty good survival in the area.

Chef, do you mean that being you are seeing dead birds that it would be bad, not good survival?

[Pinusbanksiana]

Late August/Sept. I was seeing dead young-of-the-year Grouse on Hwy 6 between Emily and Remer on the drive to the Cabin. This indicates by past experience that there was pretty good survival in the area.

That is always a good sign. Car hit grouse numbers are high when the population is peaking.

[Cheetah]

I hunted a few areas along the North Shore this morning and yesterday. Only managed to spot one grouse on a trail and by the time I ran up to get in range it had snuck off through the brush and I couldn't get it to flush. Heard one shot sounded like a road hunter, nothing else. Other guys I spoke with had only seen one or two as well, nothing shot.

Leaves are starting to turn up there, this coming weekend should be nice for color.

[surewood]

Was'nt sure how it would be with the wet weather this year, but went for a quick hunt and got three. Saw six on the trail as it's thick on the edges. Which I've found usually means there is good numbers if I see that many on the trails. Did'nt see many while bowhunting early this season, but now I see them almost everytime out. All three were this years birds.

[Acemac]

had about 10 flushes in pilsbury forest this weekend but I did not see any of them cover is very thick.

[Chef]

Sorry--was out all weekend. It means there was good new brood hatches, the young birds I see dead are the really dumb ones.

[Odonata]

Was not hunting, but saw 4 last week. We'll see how the season plays out.

[JMO555555]

Have been out everyday since season has started 97 seen 18 shot one out of the tree the rest over points. This week has been better birds that I have seen have only been in perfect grouse habitat mostly hunting around bemidji but have been up around i falls on weekends. not tons of birds but enough to keep the dogs and I intrested. one more week and the leaves should be off and I hope my numbers improve ha. enjoy the next month for us grouse hunters its the month we dream about all year.

[Mike Sertich]

Where were you,at the zoo?

[Matt Breuer]

We hunted the last 3 days with some success. 6 birds bagged with 21 spotted. Tough getting shots over points with all of the leaves up yet. Whoever said the leaves in Bemidji should be off in a week can come rake my empty yard next week! Colors haven't even peaked, so we've got some time yet before it gets good....

[Craigums]

What do you guys mean when you say "shooting over points" ect...

[Matt Breuer]

What do you guys mean when you say "shooting over points" ect...

I have two German Shorthairs, pointing dogs. When I say shooting over points, I mean the dog pointed a bird, I flushed it, and I shot it. Others may mean something else, but that's what it's supposed to mean...

Wild flushes, bumped birds, and roadies don't count...

[TylerS]

What do you guys mean when you say "shooting over points" ect...

Birds that are pointed by a dog, such as those found by the best hunting dog in the world, the GWP

[Acemac]

Birds that are pointed by a dog, such as those found by the best hunting dog in the world, the GWP

[cribbageboy]

Went up last weekend. No dog. Flushed somewhere around 10 birds from 9am saturday to 3pm sunday. Got a couple shots off, but missed gracefully. Still too thick out there. Plan on hitting it again in a couple weeks.

[JMO555555]

yea might be more like a couple weeks before the leaves are off. But alot of the underbrush has thined and where Im at I would say they are in full color I dont know. anyway it cant come fast enough for me

[Craigums]

When trying to flush a grouse w/o any dogs. Do you guys walk on trails or through thinker growth? any tips?

[Matt Breuer]

You can do either, just move slow and stop once in awhile. The stopping makes the birds nervous and you'll hear them shuffling or beeping, or they'll flush. Some days going dogless is more productive than with a dog...

[cribbageboy]

Yup. The key is stopping every once in awhile. Vast majority of the time they will flush while you're standing still.

[gtaggart]

I saw 7 grouse and heard another today. The first 4 were in a covey together and the other 4 were singles. I got a shot at two of them and should have come home with both, but my shooting left a little to be desired. The woods are still really thick with leaves, but sure is a great time to be in the woods.

[brittman]

Yup. The key is stopping every once in awhile. Vast majority of the time they will flush while you're standing still.

Yep. Stopping to take a water break, snack break or bathroom break on a trail has resulted in plenty of flushes over the years.

They must be waiting for you to set your gun down.

[Chef]

Yep--I always save a "pit stop" just for that reason! I think Deer and Grouse comiserate on that one.

[fisher_king2004]

My brother and I went out last Saturday. Saw almost two dozen birds and bagged 9. Great day. I can't go this weekend but will be back up with my son next weekend.

[TRZ II]

What area?