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Where have all the forest grouse gone?

Submitted by Zimo on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 4:36pm.

Been out and about a lot this summer up in the mountains but haven't flushed any forest grouse.

I'm also getting questions from readers who haven't seen them either.

There's no way of getting a handle on forest grouse populations because Idaho Fish and Game doesn't do any surveys on ruffed, blue and spruce grouse.

The hunting season for grouse starts Monday. Can't believe hunting season is already here.

Has anyone seen grouse while backpacking or camping this summer?

The bird is always a mystery.

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Saw a bunch of Ruffs near

Submitted by Belexes on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 5:30pm.

Saw a bunch of Ruffs near Grangeville a few weeks ago.

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None around here

Submitted by YPmule on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 7:37pm.

No one I've talked to has seen many grouse this year. We used to have a lot of quail around the village, most of them are gone now too. Seems to have been a lot more fox around this spring/summer, the winter seed caches burned up last year, and I hear that West Nile is hard on them. So I'm thinking its a combination of lack of winter feed and a deep snow winter with easy predation coupled with a long wet spring and disease. Poor grouse, they are fun to watch (and taste better then chicken.)

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Maybe...

Submitted by foreignoregonian on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 5:26am.

they made it to Sturgis and had a "bad day".

Yeah, I've never seen one in chaps and a bandanna on a Softail either.

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Wolves

Submitted by NPC on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 8:55am.

like chicken also Zimo. Just part of the eco-system some people wanted. I am sure they have not wiped them out, but they sure are not helping. You might just have to hunt a little harder.

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Four miles per bird

Submitted by outdoors on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 11:32am.

By Zimo
Well, last fall it was about 4 miles per bird. I guess it might be 5 miles per bird this year.
Lots of steep uphill and bushwhacking, too.
But grouse are worth it in the dutch oven.

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Browned with bacon

Submitted by YPmule on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 9:16pm.

You are making me hungry!

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I hear they really like activists and bad posters...

Submitted by foreignoregonian on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 1:40am.

but they get a bad tummy and die.

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Ran into about a half dozen on the road into Paradise

Submitted by political_junkie on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 9:49am.

and had one nearly give me a heart attack while I was hiking up the whitecap trail. I haven't seen many in this area however.

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Kamikazee Grouse

Submitted by YPmule on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:42am.

Years ago I had one fly up and knock my hat off while riding a horse down a trail. Good thing it was a gentle old horse or more then my hat would have hit the ground. Silly grouse flew right at my face, I had to duck.

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I can't believe you didn't have to change your underwear

Submitted by political_junkie on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 10:39am.

My grouse flew away, if it had been flying towards me I would have dropped on the spot. Nothing prepares you for the sudden noise and fast movement of an unexpected grouse taking off right at your feet. (You sure feel silly right afterwards though)

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Modified Stationary Panic

Submitted by YPmule on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 10:03pm.

(^^ borrowed from P. McManus)

Grouse blowing up at your feet can about give you a heart attack.

Long ago, camped in the Frank Church (down by Cabin Creek) I woke up one morning in my little cammo tent and mama grouse and babies were right outside the screen door, I laid there and watched them for a long time. That was a really neat thing. They take good care of their babies, just like my banty hens.

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Grouse along Alpine Way Trail

Submitted by function242 on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 10:08am.

Saw half-dozen grouse (unknown species) two weeks ago along Alpine Way Trail between Alpine Lake and Stanley Lake.

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Time to call NORAD

Submitted by foreignoregonian on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 4:13am.

If they can find Santa, maybe Snipe and Grouse aren't far off.

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