Grouse, Winter?

[kingkidfisher4431]

What do the grouse do in winter in everyones opinion??? Does anyone find them in the winter and if so what are they like? Is it even worth going after them after deer season? Iknow they get spooky from past experiences having them fly away a half mile down the trail... but how do people do this time of year, and what is your total count this year?

[setterguy]

Grouse still need to eat and still need cover, so if you find these two you will probably find birds. I actually have some of my best success after deer season, less traffic, my dogs stay cooler and with a few inches of snow the birds seem less likely to run. Try river bottoms and conifer/hardwood mixes this time of year. They will be using the conifers as cover and roosting and foraging in the hardwood/aspen forests. Another thing to look for is any chokecherries that are left, they love them this time of year. Good luck.

[Fisher Dave]

Even with nearly 12" of snow in my area I'm still seeing plenty of birds all over the place. It seems I have seen the most around Balsam's.

The birds are less spooky now than they are earlier in the season.