GUIDED GROUSE HUNTS

[hans35]

HAS AM ONE USED A GUIDE FOR GROUSE HUNTING? NEW TO THE SPORT AND NEED HELP.

[brittman]

I am aware of at least one grouse guide in Minnesota. He operates in the Little Falls / Wadena area. Never met him, nor have I known anyone that has hunted with him. He owns and operates a hunting preserve in that area too.

[hans35]

Do you have a name or phone number for this guy?

[eyesonly]

Not in the least am I Ripping on the question or making Fun of anyone but I am interested in knowing why someone would hire a grouse Guide ? Access better Land ? There is a ton of good info out there on what type of habitat to key on. Is there more too it then that?

[hans35]

never hunted them before need help.

[eyesonly]

Good luck in your search. With out a doubt one of the Most rewarding and at the same time most frustrating pastimes there are. Ruff grouse is one of the Best Tasting Birds around.

[Wanderer]

why someone would hire a grouse Guide ?

To shorten the learning curve, hunt behind a good dog possibly, establish a base line for a "quality" hunt vs. just a walk in the woods, and as you mentioned possibly getting to hunt better land than a newbie might be able to find on his own in his first couple years out.

A good guide is a teacher more so than just taking a person to a grown over clear cut. Not jabbing at the question, just offering an answer.

I can't speak for him but I believe Matt Breuer of North Country Guide Service may be able to help you out or point you in the right direction. Google Matt Breuer.

[lichen fox]

Don't know how far you want to travel, but I know quite a few of the resorts up at Lake of the Woods will offer guide service for clients in the fall...but if you're thinking about right now, it may be tough as they are busy gearing up for ice fishing...

[rustysetter]

Hans, check out Little Moran Hunt Club in Staples, I heard they do guided grouse hunts. I haven't used them but they are a reputable game farm and dog breeder as well.

[monstermoose78]

basswood trsils in ely used to do guided grouse hunts

[gspman]

Jerry Kolter does some grouse guiding for a lodge which I think is in the Grand Rapids area. He has forgotten more about grouse than most will ever learn.

[brittman]

I grew up on the prairies and hunted grouse a few times in woodlots as a young kid. 20 years ago I moved to the Cities and started grouse hunting with my dog. The more I think of it - you really do not need a guide.

Maps and a compass (GPS) are all you really need. Each time you go back to an area, you get off the trail a little further - especially if you are chasing a flush. You become familiar with areas that hold birds and those that don't.

Smaller, lightweight open choke gun will ease frustration of missing (well somewhat anyways).

Aspen is a key, but so are edges. Trails are obvious edges, but anywhere two types of habitat meet, a few grouse will like.

Grousing will get a little more difficult for the next 3 - 5 years (natural down part of the cycle), but there are still plenty of birds and spots you find will pay off after that.

When you kill a bird, open up its crop !!! This is key to understanding what grouse are eating in your areas ... it changes September to December.

Hunting morning and late evening will usually be the best times. Midday can be used to keep hunting or drive around and look for new spots.

I have had plenty of 40 - 50 flush days (mostly in years ending 7,8,9,0,1). I have many days where I have killed 3 or more grouse in areas well under a hundred miles from where 3 million people live. None of that I had the first few years that I hunted grouse.

[Ely Lake Expert]

I will guide you, $100 a day. Money back guarantee if you don't see birds cause with my dogs and where I hunt you always see birds. Available weekends only.