Grouse Hunting 101

[Craigums]

Were is the best source of information for a newbie that wants to get into grouse hunting? Recommended books, dvds, ect....

I don't have a hunting dog, and just recieved my first shotgun (20GA.). I've taken firearm safety but was not brought up in a household that hunts. I've got one friend that does hunt but he's generally tied up with his newborn and its difficult to make time to get out often with him.

Also, are their public lands near the east metro that have open trails that one can walk in hopes of flushing a grouse or two?

Any information or tips welcome,

Thank You.

[Chef]

Honestly, if you hit any woods that look like they hold Grouse within 2 hours of the cities you'll have a totally different experience than the one you'd have if you just head up to the Gunflint Trail area and walk the fire roads. If you can hunt a weekday, all the better. It really depends on your expectations. Close to the cities, you'll maybe hear a Grouse flush way off the trail...Sounds cynical, but it's a fact of life these days.

[cribbageboy]

Ya, don't waste your time around here. Clear your schedule some weekend and head up to Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Ely, etc and actually bag a couple.

[life=outdoors92]

head up to nemadji state forest when the leaves drop. plenty of trails and plenty of grouse to go around there. only hour north of the cities too

[brittman]

Nemadji is more like 100 miles from the NE metro.

You can kill birds closer, much closer to the metro. Much of the info from the above posts are simply incorrect. Sorry but I cannot say more on an open forum.

[brittman]

Ya, don't waste your time around here. Clear your schedule some weekend and head up to Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Ely, etc and actually bag a couple.

ATVs ?

[cribbageboy]

Ya, don't waste your time around here. Clear your schedule some weekend and head up to Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Ely, etc and actually bag a couple.

[life=outdoors92]

Nemadji is more like 100 miles from the NE metro.

You can kill birds closer, much closer to the metro. Much of the info from the above posts are simply incorrect. Sorry but I cannot say more on an open forum.

nemadji is not 100 miles. it is barely NE of hinkley which is 1 hour from the metro

[wdgold]

I'm in the Savage/Burnsville area and go to Nemadji every year it's 130 mi.

[cribbageboy]

If "barely NE of Hinkley" = 30 miles NE of Hinkley, then yes...you are correct. However, its just over 100 from downtown St. Paul.

[Chef]

Good Grief, another Pi**ing contenst on here. Let the guy get his varying answers and be done with it already. He can make his own choice w/o reading through all the arguments.

Peace!

[brittman]

Good Grief, another Pi**ing contenst on here. Let the guy get his varying answers and be done with it already. He can make his own choice w/o reading through all the arguments.

Peace!

Yep your advise on where to find grouse is dead on.

[Chef]

If they're referring to the Nemadji St. Forest I wasted a day at 15 yrs. ago, it was totally pounded back then. I can imagine how shell-shocked the remaining Grouse are today.

LMAO

[sparetime]

Well, if you have a shotgun and some orange to be legal, you have a good start on grouse hunting. A decent pair of boots would make the day go better, maybe a good coat, raincoat, or bid bag too. Expect to walk trails and get a map of the area that you’re thinking of hunting, be that a State Forest like Cloquet Valley, Nemadji, etc. or a national forest like Superior National Forest or Chippewa National forest.

Drive to a trail that looks good on the map, if there is a car there, move on to the next decent looking trail.

Don’t worry about a dog, I didn’t have one when I started grouse hunting, and honestly mine doesn’t do me any good now anyway’s. Don’t get frustrated by those on 4-wheelers. They are hunting a different style, not better or worse, just different. I’ve shot grouse 3 minutes after being passed by a 4-wheeler. Sure they get grouse, but they also drive by some.

My favorite part of grouse hunting is being in the woods during late September and October. Nothing could be better, just get out and go. I honestly don’t know much about putting birds in the bag (as my hunting buddies will attest), and could really care less. It’s great fun, a bird is just icing on the cake.

[sparetime]

And the State forest maps are available for free in PDF format from the DNR. You can call Superior National Forest or Chippewa and get a map for around $9 each. Forgot to add that.

Make sure your on public land, you'll know when the first grouse flushes, believe me, there is no question about it.

If a bird flushes, try to see where it goes, often it will fly only a short way to roost again. Follow it, second flush they go much further so take your time.

[wdgold]

If they're referring to the Nemadji St. Forest I wasted a day at 15 yrs. ago, it was totally pounded back then. I can imagine how shell-shocked the remaining Grouse are today.

LMAO

I know what your saying, that's why a few years ago I started avoiding the weekend hunt when I could and hit the weekdays and it was a lot better. Have had some pretty good hunting at times.

[surewood]

I'm a little south of Grand Rapids. Plenty of logging roads and trails around here if your willing to drive to this area. Grouse hunting is as simple as grabbing your gun, some blaze orange and walking/driving/atv'ing/hunting under a dog. All methods will work. Look for young popple growth, tag alder and your set. You find yourself in mature trees it's not gonna be very grousy around here. You need info around here if you're interested any questions PM me. Place to stay, trail info, maybe if it's a day I have time I'll show you around some. Ask whatever you need, I'll answer the best I can.

[wannafish2]

Hey Craigums...lots of info for you about where to look for birds so I don't think you need any more from me, but, no one has given you any of their hunting tactics so I'll throw out some of mine.

I don't have a dog either and my father taught me how to grouse hunt about 35 years ago. Our method works best once the leaves are down. Once you find a nice fire road/trail or property with aspen that has birds, this is what we do. walking slowly and as quietly as possible, keep your eyes moving and watch everywhere. Then, stop every 5 steps or so and stand STILL making no sound. Make yourself stand still for at least a minute or 5. If there are any birds nearby, they will start to get nervous because they don't hear you anymore (they would normally let you walk right on by)...they will make a "beep beep beep" and move out from their cover trying to see you.

Now, as soon as I see the grouse, I shoot it. I love to get them sitting on the ground, and learned to hunt them with a .22 (I use a 20ga now) Now, this isn't perfect, many birds will still flush and make you jump out of your skin, but, you can take a limit this way too. Grouse hunting is really fun! Have a good time, and I wish you luck and good dinners!

[Craigums]

Great info on finding trail maps. Also appreciate the hunting method advice. Sounds like the main thing I need to do is walk trails with "newer growth".

[KidMoe]

I'm new to grousing too (started last season) and i've been doing pretty much all the stuff these folks are telling you. The one thing i found most helpful was just walking trails and making mental notes of the types of cover around when i do flush a bird. Also I've flushed more birds walking just off the trail kinda in the brush or inside the first break in the thick brush than walking on the trail. I think this is probably because I always hunt within 100 miles or so of the north metro and the birds may be a little wiser. PM me if you ever want to go walk the woods.

[chocolab]

ok, question for all, im new to grouse hunting as well the only grouse i've ever gotten (which arent very many) were pretty much by accident while i was squirrel hunting. i went up north this weekend up by duluth on one of the hunter walker trail. spent all morning and saw no birds. do you guys stay on the trail or venture into the woods?

[reinhard1]

knowing the woods your in and knowing your way out plays a big part in going "in" after them which is the better option. if you dont know the area, those old trails and logging roads which are plentyfull up north can flush a few for you as well but i think your odds get better inside the wooded area. good luck.

[cribbageboy]

It all depends.

Sunny, calm, cool: Roads/Trails

Overcast, calm: Young Aspen

Windy: Spruce