If I was a ruffie, where would I be???

[gspman]

I may try to get out for grouse 1 more time this year. Not sure when though. From now until the end of the season, where would you look to find the wily grouse? What if there's snow on the ground? Does that change their location? Any tips are appreciated.

[Lunker]

I've been flushing birds in really thick aspen stands(of course) especially those along swampy areas. The best spots I've found are those areas thick or thin that have cut aspen and pople along the edges(like recent lumber cuts.) This sounds pretty general but thats where ive found them so far. Once the snow comes they'll be found in areas with other birds, so youll find birds around others, but lots of space in between bunches. Sheltered areas(swamps, low spots) with pople and pine for cover will be best then.

Good luck

[Matt Breuer]

When the snow hits look to poplar stands, a lot of birds will sit in the trees during the Winter months. If you walk slowly you can actually hear them in the trees eating. It's a blast on those calm Winter days. From now until snow I would look where there is food still available. Catkins, berries, clover. If you have seen any spots with these foods available you'll find birds!

[protrapper]

Up here they like the ceader swamps or young pine areas to roost in with a few mature aspen stands to bud on close buy. Where theres one there usally a few more around. Saw six in a group other night. I don't like to shoot grouse this time of year. There usally the strong that survive for your breeding stock for spring. My thoughts.

[Matt Breuer]

These are the stronger birds that made it this far, however, if you don't take a few near or during Winter you miss out on the beauty of the feet of the grouse. I love late in the season when they get really hairy feet. It's the time of year to take your mounter bird. They are also in their full Winter plume.

[northman]

I disagree, the birds are no-where near winter kill time yet. Another thing that is nice. Opening weekend I saw one grouse that was so youg and small, I let it go. Now, all the birds are grown and full size. I know a great deal about hunting grouse in sept. and october, but I still consider myself a novice in what I call the winter period. I call the winter period, grouse hunting after rifle deer season untill season end. I do know that the grouse this time of year, move around much more then they do in sept. and oct.. What one guy told me, is that he hunts in the winter in the same area every year and over time. He learns where they like to hang out. He walks around in the woods with his dog. I have jumped grouse out of deep snow where they are buried under the snow and startle me when they pop out. I know to that they like to roost in big pine trees. Since I have already eaten all the grouse I have shot so far. I to may go out again and winter hunt. Depends on the weather. northman

[Ely Lake Expert]

During deer season, I walked alot of cedar swamps and areas with alot of pine trees. I saw at least one grouse a day, then again I saw about 5 rabbits a day.

Ryan

[Matt Breuer]

Northman, you're right about them moving much more. The food sources aren't where they land off the roost anymore. I've shot many birds late Winter that were scratching away snow. Honestly the best way to get into birds late season is to walk slowly and quitely on a nice Winter day. You'll hear the little buggers!

Also, I love when you find a buried bird! I follow tracks a lot in the Winter, it's funny how you'll lose the tracks to a flight mark, and all of a sudden they're airborn.

Lastly, the guy who told you about finding birds year after year in the same area is right. When I lived up North we would drive around right before dark looking for roosting birds. After finding a few, you could be gauranteed a bird their late season year after year! It's similar to the clover phase grouse have, when you know there's clover somewhere, and that week comes around, you're going to shoot birds!

[dwag70]

I have been flushing them by open water creek bottoms swamp edges that are open

good luck to you