What Ruffed Grouse Eat - A Photo Essay
How To Miss A Ruffed Grouse Shot - Video
I went 0 for 8 on quality shot opportunities this day.
I was able to recover over the next two days but am still missing some easy ones. The previous couple of weekends I was hitting some of the tougher shots.
Grand Rapids / Deer River MN area.
Michigan 2013 Grouse Forecast
Michigan 2013 Spring Breeding Surveys
Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey
Ruffed grouse drumming counts were conducted statewide
along 97 survey routes during April and May 2013.
There was an average of 10.7 drums heard per routes
statewide, a 13 % decline from 2012 (12.3) average
along 97 survey routes during April and May 2013.
There was an average of 10.7 drums heard per routes
statewide, a 13 % decline from 2012 (12.3) average
(Figure 8).
Highest drumming counts were in Zone 1
(Upper Peninsula; 14.4), following by Zone 2
(Northern Lower Peninsula; 9.4) and Zone 3
(Southern Lower Peninsula; 6.4) (Figure 7).
(Upper Peninsula; 14.4), following by Zone 2
(Northern Lower Peninsula; 9.4) and Zone 3
(Southern Lower Peninsula; 6.4) (Figure 7).
In 2012, 103 survey routes were conducted statewide and
paired t - tests were performed to statistically compare
data from 87 identical routes run in both 2012 and 2013.
paired t - tests were performed to statistically compare
data from 87 identical routes run in both 2012 and 2013.
Statewide there was a 10.3 % decrease
(n=87; t=1.15 , P=0.25) in the average number of
drums heard per route between 2012 (11.8) and 2013
(10.6). Analysis at the regional scale indicated there
was no significant difference (n=26; t=0.82 , P=0.41)
in the number of drums heard per route in Zone 1
(Upper Peninsula) between 2012 (17.4) and 2013 (14.9).
There was no significant change in the average number
of drums heard per route in Zone 2
(Northern Lower Peninsula)
(n=87; t=1.15 , P=0.25) in the average number of
drums heard per route between 2012 (11.8) and 2013
(10.6). Analysis at the regional scale indicated there
was no significant difference (n=26; t=0.82 , P=0.41)
in the number of drums heard per route in Zone 1
(Upper Peninsula) between 2012 (17.4) and 2013 (14.9).
There was no significant change in the average number
of drums heard per route in Zone 2
(Northern Lower Peninsula)
between 2012 (9.9) and 2013 (9.1; n=53 ; t= 0.90 , P=0.38 ).
In zone 3, there were 8 routes conducted in both 2012
and 2013. Due to the low sample size, statistical analysis
at the Zone 3 regional scale is not appropriate.
and 2013. Due to the low sample size, statistical analysis
at the Zone 3 regional scale is not appropriate.
Ruffed Grouse Hunt - Lake Winnie Winnibigoshish MN - Deer River MN - 10/25/2013
10/25/2013
The pendulum swung the other way today. I saw lots of birds but could not hit one.
We ended up going to our second choice. The same pickup has been in our number one choice the past 3 weekends. The nice thing is that he usually leaves by 2 o’clock so we can park there for late afternoon hunt.
Within 50 yards of leaving the car I saw a grouse flush wild about 20 yards in the woods. After a short walk we got to a wide spot in the trail and I was thinking "this is such a good looking spot but I’ve never seen a grouse here" just then Tasha bumped one and it came flying at me. I missed a shot while it was flying at me and then one while it was flying away. If the GoPro was working right I should have a good video of “how to miss a grouse”. A little farther up the trail I saw a bird flush, as we approached the area Tasha went on point. I figured she was pointing the one that flew. Again the phrase “ always trust your dog” proved true. As I was walking up and thinking that there was nothing there any longer up came another bird and another miss was tallied.
On our 90 minute hunt we moved 7 grouse, 3 of which were pointed by Tasha, none of which did I connect on.
I swapped dogs hoping that Tina could turn the tide. We hunted for 2.5 hrs and moved 9 grouse and one woodcock. I shot at 3 of the grouse and the woodcock and missed all of them. At one spot Tina went on point and I saw something run in front of her. I was thinking it was a rabbit as she likes to point them and we’ve seen a number of them here. I walked towards her and a grouse got up low and straight in front of her. I held off of shooting as I didn’t want to hit her.
On our way out we bumped into a couple of hunters. One of them was wearing the same hat as I was. It was a for the kennel, Northwoods Bird Dogs that both of my active dogs are out of. We chatted a bit and one of them was a guide that works out of the same lodge that Jerry, the trainer / breeder, guides out of. The grouse woods can be a small place sometimes.
We moved to a different parking spot in the same area and I gave Tasha another run. She got 2 more points and just to keep everything on the same track I didn’t hit either one. I did have one take off from about 10 feet up a tree. This is the second week in a row that this has happened. Neither time did it seem like it was close to roosting time.
5 hours hunting. 19 birds moved. 18 grouse 1 woodcock. 8 shots taken. No hits.
I’m switching guns and hats tomorrow. I mean it couldn’t be me that is the issue...
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