Ruff grouse reports 2014 season

[Guest]

TackleJunkie:

The dog (Zena) retrieved once down but not much of a hunter. She did accidentally tree a couple for us though and loves the woods.

[laker1]

Use to be said that when grouse numbers are high you would see more red phrase birds.

[birdguy]

Be advised, if anyone likes to hunt the Echo Trail or stay at the Echo campground, the Echo trail is closed a few miles beyond the campground (east) for 7 - 10 days while they install some pretty massive culverts on Camp Ninety Seven Creek. You can stand up in these culverts, they're that big. I think it'll take awhile to get it completed. The warning signs of the closing have been up for some time now up on Cty #24 and down by Ely.

[jgrimmz]

I was out in Motley area for duck opener last weekend (did pretty poorly for the record) and walked some woods jumping ducks. Leaves almost seemed to change agressively in the 3 days we were out and a lot were falling in the woods and river areas with the winds. It leaves me hopeful for my first weekend of grouse hunting coming up. Didn't see any where we were, but there aren't typically many grouse there any way.

Anybody been out in the Pine River to Hackensack area or somewhere near by? Headed out this weekend and looking for any kind of report.

[birdguy]

I'm planning to get back up to the Ely area next week and hopefully put a few more woodcock in the bag. My seven year old Griffon had a urinary problem after the last trip, but the Vet took care of it and all blood tests for organ functions came back better then normal, the plate licking days are over for him though I'm afraid - strict diet from now on. Switched his food to something else at their recommendation (don't want to name brands) Hoping for a good hunt though.........

[knoppers]

seen a few, and heard more, no shots so far this year. it will get better this weekend as the leaves drop.

[umichjesse]

The wind and rain/snow really dropped a lot of leaves in Cook County over the weekend. Despite my poor shooting, I ended up dropping 4 birds. Most of them got away. I guess that's what happens when you hunt grouse behind a golden retriever and a springer that are used to pheasant hunting with no trees in the way.

[laker1]

Longville area today. 3 hours,two people,seen 1 bird. Years ago same area we would see 30 birds.

[BSLNORTH]

Very poor around Mcgregor area. Specifically north of Big Sandy. I used to go out and always get birds, last 5-8 years its been terrible. Guy would be better off bow hunting....although not many deer around either! Just hope we have an easier winter!!

[tb7108]

+1

Very poor around Mcgregor area. Specifically north of Big Sandy. I used to go out and always get birds, last 5-8 years its been terrible. Guy would be better off bow hunting....although not many deer around either! Just hope we have an easier winter!!

[brittman]

Too many older aged forests in that area.

If more logging would occur, the birds and deer will rebound.

[BSLNORTH]

There is some logging in the area, so that may help.

Before the last two winters, there was plenty of deer in the area, there still is deer, just not as much. Last winter had a major impact on the deer population...snow, cold, and wolves!

[jgrimmz]

Longville area today. 3 hours,two people,seen 1 bird. Years ago same area we would see 30 birds.

Same area last weekend, same dismal results. 3 guys, one bird that we couldn't even get a shot at.

[laker1]

It would be nice on Grouse reports if you could even give a generic area within 50-70 miles where you hunt. Otherwise the report is still nice to hear but doesn't mean much.

[IceAge@work]

Cook County. Averaged 5-6 "contacts" per day in 3.5-4hrs per day since Thursday. Harvested 1 bird each day including a young red phase.

Better activity/results than the last 2-years but still well below peak years.

Dog & I walked trails until we found smaller patches of good cover (young aspen, alder swamps etc.) then walked that cover. Still ran into about half the birds near the trail. I suspect the dispersion is well under way. Did run into one brood still intact in an alder swamp but no shooting opportunities resulted.

[hardwater55319]

Worked the Woodtick trail all day on Saturday. Where able to see 5 grouse all flushing early with no shots fired. Still quite a bit of leaves on trees.

[laker1]

Been only a few miles from the Woodtick area,better than last year,but still very very slow.

Around that area it has been slow for about 15 years for me,while other areas in the state had better rebound. Something else is going on in that area.

About the time the deer tick moved into that country about the mid 90's,there hasn't been a lot of grouse. Also more raacoons than previous in that area. I don't know the answer why they aren't rebounding. Plenty of prime cover.

In fact the early 80's before logging increased there,you seen more grouse.Logging should of improved it.

[birdguy]

A friend and I went up to the Ely area and parts north again for a second three day grouse hunt. Did better this time out, getting 16 birds so we now have 27 total for the year. Leaves were falling fast with the wind we've been having recently.

Here's how the woods looked yesterday.

Got this limit before noon on Friday, two spruce grouse in this limit.

This was an afternoon hunt after arriving on Thursday, one trail - three grouse.

My Griffon got the job done this time out, once flushing a family group of six and a couple of other groups with three or four birds.

[laker1]

Nice dog.

[CANOPY SAM]

Pine Island State Forest. Saturday morning from 9-12. Found two family groups. Jumped 6 birds with fairly good opportunities for shots at a few. Got one.

Later found a pair of adult birds, and managed to get both of those. One very nice acorn colored male.

Saw 11 birds, I believe, by the end of the hunt. I was very pleased with what we found. Now that many of the leaves are down I'm anticipating a good year of grouse hunting.

[ZachD]

Went out Sat and Sunday walking the trails (no dogs) we got 3 saw a couple more we could not shoot.

[cribbageboy]

Went out Friday and Saturday east of Grand Rapids. 4 guys walking, no dogs. Kicked up roughly 30 birds. Only bagged 3. Not a lot of missed shots either, just bad flushes for the most part. Lots of leaves down.

[laker1]

They use to say when ruff grouse numbers are high,the red phase(tail etc.) starts showing up more.

[dewey1]

Be advised, if anyone likes to hunt the Echo Trail or stay at the Echo campground, the Echo trail is closed a few miles beyond the campground (east) for 7 - 10 days while they install some pretty massive culverts on Camp Ninety Seven Creek. You can stand up in these culverts, they're that big. I think it'll take awhile to get it completed. The warning signs of the closing have been up for some time now up on Cty #24 and down by Ely.

Planning on heading up to Jeanette this week. Any word on the culvert work?

[Dusty]

Its all done.

[birdguy]

The culvert work is done and the Trail is open.

Here's this years tail collection, the basket of tails is from previous years.

My mancave/workshop, the dog house is under the work bench, it's carpeted and has a GunDog door to a back run.

[brittman]

It has been a very enjoyable fall for grouse ... moving birds all across MN.

Dogs (9 and 4) are having a nice, nice season.

Making the impossible shots, while missing some of the easy - swing down the trail shots.

[birdguy]

Added another tail to the collection this morning hunting the Rush Point area. My brother got another. Flushed six roosters and two hens in about an hour.

[yakfisher]

Added another tail to the collection this morning hunting the Rush Point area. My brother got another. Flushed six roosters and two hens in about an hour.

That sure is a huge grouse.

Glad you are seeing some roosters up there.

[birdguy]

The pheasant numbers appear to be good around here. I'm pretty lucky as I work from home a lot so can take off and hunt often. Here's a picture (taken in August) from my home office window. I grew up here in the Rush Point area and know all the farmers so I can go and do a five mile walking loop starting at my back door and go around the lake and end up back at my front door. I don't do it during deer season though but after that, when the woods are empty and the corn is down it makes for a heck of a nice Saturday morning hunt.