Anybody seeing grouse out there

[ParkRangerRube]

Walked the trails NE of Detroit Lakes yesterday and got 3 (including my first grouse ever!) so I was pretty pumped. I can officially call myself a grouse hunter now, and I think I'm hooked. Flushed 7 birds in all and put about 11 miles behind me, so I had to work for the ones I got---but it was worth it. Looking forward to getting back out there.

[Ferny]

Three of us hit Grand Marais area for MEA. I have NEVER seen so many people outdoors in my life. I did see two other groups hunting with kids. The rest, all adults must have been teachers. More hybrid cars and Suburu's than you could shake a stick at. I expected after driving 4.5 hours from the cities it would be like my normal grouse spots with strictly deer and grouse hunters. Now I can mark that area off my list.

We saw ~20 ruffies (half red half grey) and got 11. One spruce grouse made it in the bag. First time I have ever seen one...interesting. Anyone have a spruce recipe? Thursday/Friday all animals running wild everywhere, Saturday VERY quite! Didn't hunt Sunday. Managed to see 3 red fox within 20 yards. I wanted to pop one and pelt it out. They looked prime and fluffy. My son and buddy wouldn't let me, there just too cute! Saw a moose and plenty of turds, a ton of eagles and hawks, deer, coyote, zero hares or timber doodles.

All ruffies had hazel brush catkins in there crops and a couple had some clover too. That's it! Spruce had all needles in his crop. We did get two of the worlds smallest grouse this year. They were tiny and had short middle tail feathers all others were adults.

As for scenery and number of different animals it was an awesome trip.

Having left over grouse wild rice and squash for lunch today mmmm good.

Ferny.

[Chef]

Spruce are bitter due to diet, of course. You can marinate the breasts in strips about the size of your pointer finger in:

4Tbsps Dijon Mustard

2-Tbsps Honey

3Tbsps Balsamic Vinegar

Fresh Crushed Garlic

Black Pepper

1Tbsps Olive Oil

Fresh chopped Rosemary (Optional)

Put the breast meat on skewers and grill for appx. 3-4 minutes or until just done, don't over cook.

[knoppers]

its been a good year in the aitkin area. I am shutting my self down for the year, with 7 in the freezer. have seen plenty, missed many, but a good year overall, this is without a dog.

[RustySasquatch]

Spruce are bitter due to diet, of course. You can marinate the breasts in strips about the size of your pointer finger in:

4Tbsps Dijon Mustard

2-Tbsps Honey

3Tbsps Balsamic Vinegar

Fresh Crushed Garlic

Black Pepper

1Tbsps Olive Oil

Fresh chopped Rosemary (Optional)

Put the breast meat on skewers and grill for appx. 3-4 minutes or until just done, don't over cook.

Pretty good stuff chef? I usually just make mine into Jerky.

[setterguy]

Been hunting about 90 minutes north of the cities and seeing consistent birds every time out. Sunday produced 9 grouse and 8-9 woodcock in about 3 hours. They are in the thick stuff. Also saw two rooster pheasants in the middle of the woods while grouse hunting. Wierd.

[Chef]

Yes, I use this on Sharpies too...