Saw a covey of grouse

I saw a family covey of grouse this weekend and,,,OH YEA, my blood was pumping. They were good looking and fully adult feathered, minus the tail.

We do not have huntable numbers of Ruffies down here but I used to venture to the U.P. in Ontanagon Co once or twice every year to hunt them. No better tasting gamebird on the planet and what a challenge. I have never hunted them when the leaves are down. How is the cycle? Still on the downside?

We do not have huntable numbers of Ruffies down here but I used to venture to the U.P. in Ontanagon Co once or twice every year to hunt them. No better tasting gamebird on the planet and what a challenge. I have never hunted them when the leaves are down. How is the cycle? Still on the downside?

The cycle has been on bottom for 3 seasons. I’ve heard enought first hand reports to believe they are coming up a little but it was by no means a drastic rise. The drumming counts do no support a rise. I’ll know first hand this fall. I’ll definitely get into birds but it sure is more fun when they are up. Personally, if given a choice, I would choose to hunt them with leaves up.

The cycle has been on bottom for 3 seasons. I’ve heard enought first hand reports to believe they are coming up a little but it was by no means a drastic rise. The drumming counts do no support a rise. I’ll know first hand this fall. I’ll definitely get into birds but it sure is more fun when they are up. Personally, if given a choice, I would choose to hunt them with leaves up.