Grouse in Minnesota

[Suzuki]

Well I asked for it so now that a hunting forum is here I better post.
Grouse opened here in Minnesota on Sat. My experience and reports I have heard concur that grouse are mighty thin. I have never seen it worse. Hunted what I would consider the very best area in the state and did not see many. Worked very hard to get up a bird or two per hour in some spots. We did get 3 between two of us first thing Sat morning but it quickly went down hill from there with no other birds shot. Never saw a bird on road or trail. All in the brush. All birds shot were mature. No yearlings which is not good news.

[Box]

I didn't get out yet, but my wife got a grouse with the truck mirror about a month ago :) We haven't seen many by our cabin, where we usually see several during the summer. Not sure what that means... but I was hoping the upswing would be started by now. Appears it might not be till next year or so.

-Box

http://www.walleyecentral.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=103808

[Larry L]

The ruffed and blue grouse season opened in Wyoming on Sept 1st. We were in the mountains on an archery hunt for moose. I managed to get four rufffed grouse. Three were young birds and very small. They were not much larger than a quail. I will be headed back there when the rifle season opens on Oct 1st. (for moose not grouse):-) (actually in Wyoming you can shoot grouse with a rifle or anything else you want)

Larry

[Suzuki]

Those young ones are tender as heck. Great pan fried. Seeing young ones like that is a good sign for this year and next.

[Koldfront Kraig]

Mike, what area do you hunt?

[Suzuki]

Where ever the birds are. North central has been best for me the last few years. I love going to north shore but they are practically extinct there right now. When birds are up I have many more areas to go closer.