Attack of the grouse

[Lunker]

Although this happened this spring, I thought I'd share and see if this has happened to any one else.

I was up in the Tomahawk/Rhinelander area of northern WI this spring(May/June) for a summer school camp for natural resource students(UWSP). We worked in groups of four throughout, and they also happened to be the guys I lived with. We were walking down a trail(tracking radio collars) when we heard a hissing/charging animal coming through the brush at us. I immediatley thought coon/skunk/badger/who knows what and we all started backing away when a grouse comes charging out fo the brush(on foot) all puffed up, wings out. It startled me and I was running backwards into the brush, it turned up trail and started to charge my buddy, then took to flight and chased him down the trail about thirty yards before veering back into the woods. We were all shocked, and when we heard chirping we knew it was protecting it's brood, but I hadn't heard of someone being attacked by a grouse before!

[DRH1175]

Thanks for the story. I havn't been attacked but have thought I would be knocked out of the tree a few times while bowhunting when they flew between trees

[almostthere!]

Hadn't been attacked but had seen the all puffed out grouse before. I was walking the trail in early November when I heard this chirping/hissing sound in the thickets. I turned to look and notice something slowly moving to the movements of me as I was slowly moving side to side tring to get a good look. Long story short, it made good stew that night.

[Sartell Angler]

I hope 5 of 'em charge me on saturday, along with another 5 on sunday. That will give me more time for crappie fishing! I'll be in the Hill City / Grand Rapids area.

[Blaze]

That's it - something must be done! Grab your guns and load up your dogs - it's time to do away with those vicious suckers!