Grouse hunting in Phillips

Well finally got my small game license this week. The leaves are falling and the wonderfull smell of fall is in the woods. I havent hunted grouse in many years but with unlimited public land literally out my back door and what is considered some of the best if not the best grouse country anywhere I certainly am all in. The awesome part about hunting this area is the walking trails. The trail out my backdoor hooks into many multi use trails: Snowmobile, cross country skiing, hiking, biking but now they are exclusively for hunting. Atleast for me. I have been going after work for 1 – 2 hours. I am basically walking the trails and looking for areas that have been logged in the last couple years. It will only get better as the under foilage dies as the wonderfull people in Price county plant clover on the trails. As night falls the grouse come out to feed. I have been getting 6-8 flushes a night and I have shot and found 1 bird each night. Not bad for no dog and going by myself. As I learn the woods better I hope to find better or best habitat to hunt. For now I am getting my “grouse legs” and having a blast.

Good to hear you’re seeing some birds. I saw a number of woodcock last weekend but only a couple grouse. I didn’t, however, hit it very hard. Been waiting for a few more leaves to fall. Hope to get in a few grouse days in the upcoming weeks.

tegg wrote:

I saw a number of woodcock last weekend but only a couple grouse. I didn’t, however, hit it very hard.

Wondering if they were Giant Canadian Woodcock??

I have to believe there are enough woodcock in this area. I have never shot one and would like to bag a few though I heard they aren’t all that good table fare. Grouse though is by far my favorite wild bitd to eat!

Woodcock are a little odd in that the breast is dark meat and the legs are white meat. In terms of dark meat flavor they have that earthy, robust wild quality. If someone isn’t a dark meat fan they likely wont like woodcock.

I have seen 1 or 2 woodcock on about every outing this year. I quit shooting them years ago. I dont like their flavor and I am not willing to limit my gun to 3 shells while Grouse hunting.

suzuki wrote:

I have seen 1 or 2 woodcock on about every outing this year. I quit shooting them years ago. I dont like their flavor and I am not willing to limit my gun to 3 shells while Grouse hunting.

Tut, tut, tut! We’re going to have to convert you from that uncouth machine gun to a civilized double, Suzuki.

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>suzuki wrote:</div>
I have seen 1 or 2 woodcock on about every outing this year. I quit shooting them years ago. I dont like their flavor and I am not willing to limit my gun to 3 shells while Grouse hunting.

Tut, tut, tut! We’re going to have to convert you from that uncouth machine gun to a civilized double, Suzuki.

Grouse

LMAO!!!!!! Machine gun! LOLOLOL I might NEED all 5 sometime!! It’s happened.