Grouse hunting.

[Andy54Hawken]

Anyone else here excited that grouse season will soon be here?
Getting up early and walking down an old logging road while watching and listening as the world wakes up is a wonderful feeling.
Eating lunch , enjoying the beautiful scenery , then walking thru till the early evening hours is very relaxing.

Grouse are easy to clean , don't take up to much room in the 'fridge or freezer and are very tasty.
Grouse hunting is also a great way to introduce someone to hunting.
You get to move around a fair bit , can practice stalking if you see 'em in the open and loads of excitement when they flush as they explode though the air ...
You also don't need a ton of extra or special gear.

If anyone here is planning going out this year , happy and safe hunting to you.
Andy

Edited for pre-coffee spelling.

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[Joe13]

I would be very if I were buying tags this year.

Gonna skip one unfortunately.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I feel for you Joe ... Lots of walking with grouse hunting , hard to do , when you can't move around so good.
Hope you get better soon and see you out there next season!
Andy

 

[Bigbaddude]

I can't wait!
My lab loves them. She has been hunting them with me since she was able to go outside.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Good looking dog you have there.
Andy

 

[nextgenar]

I think my daughter is ready.

 

[Joe13]

Just watched a clip of Gordon Ramsey pigeon hunting and his guide showed him that if you break the wings off and dig your thumbs into the breast, it turns the bird inside out and your left with a handful of good meat and no plucking.

Could this be done with grouse?

Anyone have a quick and easy cleaning technique?

 

[Certaindeaf]

Just watched a clip of Gordon Ramsey pigeon hunting and his guide showed him that if you break the wings off and dig your thumbs into the breast, it turns the bird inside out and your left with a handful of good meat and no plucking.

Could this be done with grouse?

Anyone have a quick and easy cleaning technique?

I always pluck them in the field. The skin is the best part!

 

[2A2Dend]

Toss the grouse on it's back, place one foot on each wing, tight to the breast.
Grab both feet, pull. Chop wings off, done.
A little final cleaning, and placed in a ziplock bag.
Next!!

 

[Bigbaddude]

Toss the grouse on it's back, place one foot on each wing, tight to the breast.
Grab both feet, pull. Chop wings off, done.
A little final cleaning, and placed in a ziplock bag.
Next!!

I have tried that a few times and end up destroying the meat. Maybe I use to big of shot .

 

[2A2Dend]

Head shot with a .22

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Hey nextgenar,
One of my 870's is a youth model like your daughters.
Mine is a .20 gauge , it sure shoots nice .
Does double duty as a "Bump in the night" gun.
Andy

 

[Bigbaddude]

I use my old Marlin 90

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Beautiful shotgun.
One day I'll have a nice over and under or side x side
I use different guns depending on my mood:
.54 Hawken copy
.38 Royland Southgate longrifle
.32 Ohio Longrifle. ( original circa 1850's )
.20 gauge Flintlock Northwest trade gun
.22lr Remington 511
.20 gauge 870 wingmaster ( circa 1960 ) I got from my Grandpa
.20 NEF Pardner single shot
.20 870 youth model
Its nice to have choices ... LOL
Andy

 

[Joe13]

I love a good side by side - I'll buy another one someday just to have one if for no other reason

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I liked that Stoeger you had Joe.
I bet that would do nicely for grouse.
Andy

 

[salmonriverjohn]

Heading east in a few weeks,
Looking foward to it.

 

[Bigbaddude]

Andy when you hunt them with a muzzleloader do you load the with some kind of bird shot?

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Bigbaddude,
When I hunt with my Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun I can use shot.
Trade guns are smooth bores.
My shot load is :
80 grains of 2F , over powder wad , shot and a over the shot card.
I use a mix of 6 & 7 1/2 shot for grouse.
I can also use a patch and ball for big game.
With the rifles I try to head shoot.
Andy

 

[Koda]

Im looking forward to it this year. Last year I saw a few scouting for deer and elk so I took my shotty, almost got one but he flushed as I was taking aim. I cant decide if I should take the shotty or the 22lr....