2024 National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt Results and Story

Since 2018 event organizers have also kept data on flushes. Since it doesn't depend on shooting skills, bag limits or decisions (some hunters don't prefer to shoot woodcock), the number of flushes is seen by many as a valuable indicator of bird numbers in the hunt area.

This year each team averaged 13.4 grouse flushes per day, down from 18.9 in 2023 and slightly higher than the five-year average of 12.8.

Woodcock flushes were 4.6 per team, much lower than the 17.9 in 2023 and the five-year average of 12.9.

 See all of the results and the full journal sentinel article

These are the best spots in MN for a late season Ruffed Grouse hunt

Here are the best spots for late-season ruffed grouse in Minnesota, focusing on areas that tend to hold birds even after the leaves drop:

1. Northern St. Louis County:

• Superior National Forest around Ely
• Kabetogama State Forest These areas have good mix of young aspen and dense conifer cover where grouse concentrate in late season

2. Itasca County:

• Chippewa National Forest
• George Washington State Forest Birds often move to areas with mountain maple and hazel understory

3. Aitkin/Crow Wing Counties:

• Hill River State Forest
• Savanna State Forest Good mix of lowland alder and mature aspen

Late season tips:

• Focus on dense conifer stands near food sources
• Look for areas with highbush cranberry and winterberry
• Hunt the warmer parts of the day when birds are more active
• South-facing slopes tend to hold more birds late season
• Areas with standing catkins (birch/alder) are prime spots

Ruffed Grouse Society Twin Cities ( MN ) Meet Up

Join us at our Nov 21 Meet Up to learn more about the Twin Cities chapter of the RGS and talk about Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock hunting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding UNPRESSURED Ruffed Grouse in November! Video

Ruffed Grouse Hunting in November can be feast or famine. This time of year my focus shifts to finding areas where the grouse have escaped to from pressure in the surrounding areas. These spots will usually produce a lot of fast action or nothing at all. The key is to not get discouraged if you are looking for a spot like this and are not finding birds, you never know when the pay off may be! On back-to-back nights, my brittanys, Yeti and Ember, put together some really good runs with lots of bird action!

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How To Miss A Ruffed Grouse Shot | Video

 

This is from a decade ago but I can still miss like this...

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