Grouse & Woodcock Hunting at the Hungry Trout Resort | Video

 

Bird Dogs Afield visits Hungry Trout Resort in Wilmington, NY for early season grouse and woodcock hunting. This is Episode 1 of 2 episodes.

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These are the best Wisconsin late season Ruffed Grouse hunting areas

Here are the best late-season ruffed grouse spots in Wisconsin:

1. Northern Forest Region:

• Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, particularly:
  • Around Park Falls
  • Hayward area
  • Florence County sections
• Brule River State Forest

2. Central Wisconsin:

• Black River State Forest
• Jackson County Forest
• Clark County Forest These areas have excellent mixed hardwood/conifer habitat that holds birds late

3. Northwest Wisconsin:

• Douglas County Forest
• Bayfield County Forest
• Washburn County Forest Especially good in areas with young aspen and alder thickets

Late season tips for Wisconsin:

• Focus on spruce/balsam fir edges near aspen
• Look for grape vines and ironwood trees
• South-facing slopes are prime after first snow
• Areas with tag alder near creek bottoms
• Forest roads and trails in county forests often hold birds

The northern third of Wisconsin generally offers the best late-season hunting, but birds can be found in good numbers in central counties too.

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.