Ten year streak...

CaliFFL

I've shot at least one grouse on opening day for ten years in a row. Last night's bird.

early

I haven't ate a grouse in years.
Looks tastey.

Jayhawker

Keep that run going....excellent table fare...

orchidman

I am envious. Hunting grouse behind a 'setting' dog is on my bucket list. ( Preferably a Gordon setter)

jaywapti

Nice going, get some more, I always looked forward to grouse season in Wisc. in Colo we hunted Blue Grouse.

JAY

Six-Gun

Very nice! I'm looking to shoot my first one (a sharptail or prairie chicken) down this way soon.

pjames777

Beautiful. and I hate you!

CHIRO1989

Boys can't wait to go look for grouse, what is the range report?

Fisheadgib

jaywapti wrote: »

Nice going, get some more, I always looked forward to grouse season in Wisc. in Colo we hunted Blue Grouse.

JAY

Funny you should say that, I haven't hunted grouse since the late 70's and that was around Black River Falls Wisconsin. We discovered the population during the deer season and there isn't much that can scare the crap out of you while you're walking through some quiet woods more than a chicken sized bird busting out of the snow about a foot in front of you.

CaliFFL

CHIRO1989 wrote: »

Boys can't wait to go look for grouse, what is the range report?

Same SXS 20 gauge shotgun as last year. I think I've only used the 410 and the 12 once or twice chasing grouse. I prefer the short barrel in the thick woods.

Last year's opening day.

CHIRO1989

That is the ticket, my dad has the 20 ga. Stoeger. I have been liking my 20 ga. Beretta 390 with the 20" barrel and the extra stock I found cut down to just barely fitting on the mount off the receiver. Are you still dealing with a lot of green on the trees and shrubs this time of year? We are seeing the maples change but it is still thick, it did get down to 32* at the hunting shack last Friday, but no frost yet.

CaliFFL

CHIRO1989 wrote: »

That is the ticket, my dad has the 20 ga. Stoeger. I have been liking my 20 ga. Beretta 390 with the 20" barrel and the extra stock I found cut down to just barely fitting on the mount off the receiver. Are you still dealing with a lot of green on the trees and shrubs this time of year? We are seeing the maples change but it is still thick, it did get down to 32* at the hunting shack last Friday, but no frost yet.

Trees are green, but underbrush is mostly dead from lack of rain. Everything is crispy. "Sneaking" is non-existent.

We haven't had any cold nights yet. Lows are in the 50's. Current highs are 85°F.

CHIRO1989

CaliFFL wrote: »

Trees are green, but underbrush is mostly dead from lack of rain. Everything is crispy. "Sneaking" is non-existent.

We haven't had any cold nights yet. Lows are in the 50's. Current highs are 85°F.

Well then you did good to get that early grouse.

early

I used to pop em' with a belly gun when I could.

snake284

CaliFFL wrote: »

I've shot at least one grouse on opening day for ten years in a row. Last night's bird.

Congrats Bro, what a Beautiful Bird! I wish I had a 28 gauge, a good dog, and a place to hunt them.

Gene L

FYI, a complete grouse skin sells for $45 for fly tying.

CHIRO1989

Gene L wrote: »

FYI, a complete grouse skin sells for $45 for fly tying.

Got a link Gene?

CaliFFL

CHIRO1989 wrote: »

Got a link Gene?

This.

Salted or dried? Is there a difference for Spruce, Blue, or Ruffed? I just throw them in the trash...

Gene L

Here's a link to grouse feathers; the prices MAY get on up there. I don't remember where I got the price I quoted, but that might be low. They're kinda scarce around here and not farm-raised, so far as I know.

http://www.featheremporium.com/Exotic-Feathers/grouse/ruffed.html

early

My Dad wanted some feathers once. All I had right then was my elk rifle. Made a lot of feathers rather quickly.

Gene L

Salted or dried. Borax treated? I've got partridge skins, they're soft (mostly) and a little greasy. I don't have a grouse skin; their feathers are used for large wet flies, I think. Salmon flies.

CHIRO1989

Gene L wrote: »

Here's a link to grouse feathers; the prices MAY get on up there. I don't remember where I got the price I quoted, but that might be low. They're kinda scarce around here and not farm-raised, so far as I know.

http://www.featheremporium.com/Exotic-Feathers/grouse/ruffed.html

Thanks Gene.

Gene L

CaliFFL wrote: »

This.

Salted or dried? Is there a difference for Spruce, Blue, or Ruffed? I just throw them in the trash...

Send the feathers to me instead of trashing them. Please. Well, actually, I've got enough soft hackle feathers to last me two lifetimes, but I'd like to see a few grouse feathers to supplement my storeage.

CaliFFL

Gene L wrote: »

Send the feathers to me instead of trashing them. Please. Well, actually, I've got enough soft hackle feathers to last me two lifetimes, but I'd like to see a few grouse feathers to supplement my storeage.

Now I hafta go out and shoot more. :tooth: I'm going out in literally 10 minutes an again tonight.

What do you want? Neck feathers? Or?

Gene L

Neck, shoulder, and upper chest feathers. Small is better.

CaliFFL

Gene L wrote: »

Neck, shoulder, and upper chest feathers. Small is better.

Went out for three hours in the am and another three hours last night. Didn't see or hear a single bird. I did see a bull moose, a bunch of deer, and heard an elk bugle. The bugle seems a bit early, so it may have been a human across the ravine.



Going out again tonight.

CaliFFL

Gene - do you want feathers? IM an address.

Gene L

Sure. Check your pm.

CaliFFL

I'll throw in the cat if you want him :jester:

Jeff in TX

Back in 1981 we made our first trip to Montana to go Elk and Mule deer hunting. We were hunting on Wallace mountain if my memory serves me correctly outside of Livingston MT. We shot a few grouse though I think they called them blue grouse that were near the camp. We used our wrist rocket sling shots to shoot them while we were out and about doing evening hunts near camp. Pretty easy to shoot and they tasted great!

CaliFFL

Decent day