grouse

[woodview]

I'm wondering if anyone knows if grouse will have second clutches if their first don't make it? I've heard that with other game birds and just read an earlier post about pheasants doing that but I've never heard about grouse. I assume they will.

Still crossing my fingers that we'll see the upswing start soon but I think it's been quite a few years now that they've been at their low period according to the dnr though both the regions I hunt showed some improvement according to their counts last year.

can't complain about how I've done the last couple of years but I think that's due to sticking to the 'broom handles' and skimming over lower quality areas where they'll spill into on high years. Having a couple honey holes where birds seem to be no matter the population and actually busting through some woods rather than just walking trails where who knows how many guys have already been that day probably make a big difference but I'd really love to see the 'good ol days' again.

waiting patiently...

also - wondering if anyone in hare country has noticed that it seems when the grouse population is low the snowshoe's are up. Just a personal observation and pretty iffy at that - don't get out hare hunting but it's pretty fun late season.

[WAG416]

Grouse will sometimes lay a new clutch of eggs, only if their first batch is destroyed early into incubation.

If I can remember correctly last spring wasn't the dryest and there still seemed to be enought birds around in the fall to keep me going out time after time. Lets pray this wetness dont hurt the new hatch as bad as everyone says.

And about the snowshoes, less grouse means your looking harder for them and in turn, your finding more rabbits. Maybe not. Snoeshoes don't taste like grouse. They taste like chicken

WAG

[knoppers]

seen a hen grouse with 5 very little ones the other day. not sure what time of year they normally hatch.

[WAG416]

Does anybody have a clue off hand as to how come they extended the grouse season an extra day. And why just one day?

Not complaining at all just curious? I just hope after the New years Eve i'll be able to get up in time to go out for the last day.

WAG

[bigbucks]

I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing they figured one more day wouldn't matter much & most people have that day off to get in one last day of hunting. I like it personally, I kind of wish they'd do it with bowhunting.