Small game season 2025

[Koda]

I always got to scout while working so I knew where all the grouse had there babies. Not anymore!

I know a spot that holds grouse where I hunt here locally, I see a few every deer season. Last year I drove out there for a day when grouse season started and didnt see them. The next weekend my hunting buddy went out there and got a few.
I never get the good luck.

 

[dangerranger60]

My knees and hips can no longer hike or pack on a horse. So I have moved to shooting ground squirrels and the occasional coyote.
The upsides are most of the shooting is done from insight of my truck, recovering the carcass doesn't involve boning, quartering, or packing. and it involves a lot more shooting! its also done all year long, so no waiting for a shot season. DR

 

[DeanMk]

Beautiful guns Andy.
Thanks for showing them to us.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

@DeanMk
You are very welcome ...

Those are my favorites...and get used the most for this task.
Mostly just enjoy being out and seeing with Mother Nature is up too.
Andy

 

[SAR1846]

...
Wild turkey , as in the actual bird is good eating....sure wish we could hunt 'em with a rifle here in Washington.
A nice clean head shot...makes for less meat loss.....oh well.

A well sighted in shotgun with a tight choke & the right load works amazing for them. They're my favorite critter to chase out in the woods besides squirrel.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

A well sighted in shotgun with a tight choke & the right load works amazing for them. They're my favorite critter to chase out in the woods besides squirrel.

That it does.
Where I grew up ...you could hunt them with a rifle....miss doing that.
Andy

 

[SAR1846]

That it does.
Where I grew up ...you could hunt them with a rifle....miss doing that.

I cut my teeth on hunting them, pheasant, and dove with my trusty 11-87. Never really hunted deer, but did have several opportunities to hunt wild hog with rifle.

Had a couple mentors in the deer hunting department, but unfortunately they passed away way too soon before I could learn enough from them.

@Tlock I've helped a farmer buddy down in Myrtle Creek with his Turkey problem over the years... unfortunately with life getting in the way, haven't had a chance to visit and do more. PM me, and I can probably help out and even call in some turkeys for others who've never had a chance to hunt them before.

-Andy

 

[Toadkiller]

Hunting deer this season for the first time in my life. Late-onset fever i guess. Blacktail. I've always been a small gamer. So what is the general "don't be an a-hole" rule when it comes to shooting grouse while scouting known deer areas just prior to the opener and then during the season? I've heard the argument that if it's legal, then who cares what anyone else says. And also the argument that it's really rude. Thoughts?

 

[Bobbygun]

Hunting deer this season for the first time in my life. Late-onset fever i guess. Blacktail. I've always been a small gamer. So what is the general "don't be an a-hole" rule when it comes to shooting grouse while scouting known deer areas just prior to the opener and then during the season? I've heard the argument that if it's legal, then who cares what anyone else says. And also the argument that it's really rude. Thoughts?

I've encountered people hunting grouse with shotguns while I'm bowhunting elk. What can I say? They have a right to be hunting the national forest land as much as I do. As long as somebody isn't intentionally trying to foul up my hunting, it's time to just move along.

 

[Koda]

Hunting deer this season for the first time in my life. Late-onset fever i guess. Blacktail. I've always been a small gamer. So what is the general "don't be an a-hole" rule when it comes to shooting grouse while scouting known deer areas just prior to the opener and then during the season? I've heard the argument that if it's legal, then who cares what anyone else says. And also the argument that it's really rude. Thoughts?

Its not rude to hunt other species in the same seasons or hunt while others are scouting. What some do think is rude is target shooting during deer/elk season.

Note: bow season runs a month prior to rifle seasons.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Hunting deer this season for the first time in my life. Late-onset fever i guess. Blacktail. I've always been a small gamer. So what is the general "don't be an a-hole" rule when it comes to shooting grouse while scouting known deer areas just prior to the opener and then during the season? I've heard the argument that if it's legal, then who cares what anyone else says. And also the argument that it's really rude. Thoughts?

Hunting season....is hunting season
Some seasons overlap...which is something some folks need to understand.
As for an answer to your question...Speaking only for myself...
No I do not think that it is rude to take a grouse or other small game during big game season...if it is legal to do so where you live / hunt.


Something to consider....
It may not be deer season for human hunters...but for a hungry mountain lion....
Everyday of the year is hunting season.
Game animals are always on someone's dinner menu...no matter what time of the year it is.

Also whatever noise you may make taking a grouse during deer or elk season...
Is little compared to the tuck traffic of the road hunters that are out there...or Quad / dirt bike riders or other users of public land during hunting season.
Please note that I understand that public land is...public land...and open to all .
Just saying that I have had my hunt interrupted more often from the above listed....than actual small game hunters , hunting .

Andy

 

[Toadkiller]

Thanks for the replies. The last thing I want to do is be "that guy".

 

[Mush]

As always I look forward to small game season / grouse season each year.
And while it is summer time....September is seemingly just around the corner.
Below are some of my favorites for hunting.
For all who go out this season...no matter what for....good luck...and have a safe hunt.
Andy

20 gauge Winchester 1300 Upland Special

• Andy54Hawken
• Nov 23, 2024

Wingmaster from 1962

• Andy54Hawken
• Sep 1, 2024

Savage 19-33 NRA Match Rifle Circa 1946

• Andy54Hawken
• Jul 30, 2024

George Laloux Flintlock Fowler

• Andy54Hawken
• Aug 14, 2024

Nice Rig!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

@Mush
Thank you...always good to have options....
Andy

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Might take this one out a few times this year as well....
My Remington 510 from 1941.
Light...easy to shoot...and carries easy.
Andy

Remington 510 from 1941

• Andy54Hawken
• Aug 2, 2025

 

[DeanMk]

Wow Andy, that's a beautiful little rifle.
I've never seen you mention that one before. Is this new-to-you?

 

[22Luis]

Grouse hunting is my absolute favorite hunting. I use a first series woodsman sport pistol or my Browning SA-22.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Wow Andy, that's a beautiful little rifle.
I've never seen you mention that one before. Is this new-to-you?

Thanks Dean.
I learned to shoot on one many years ago at Boy Scout Camp.
Lucked into this one a few years ago.
Andy

 

[Koper]

As always I look forward to small game season / grouse season each year.
And while it is summer time....September is seemingly just around the corner.
Below are some of my favorites for hunting.
For all who go out this season...no matter what for....good luck...and have a safe hunt.
Andy

20 gauge Winchester 1300 Upland Special

• Andy54Hawken
• Nov 23, 2024

Wingmaster from 1962

• Andy54Hawken
• Sep 1, 2024

Savage 19-33 NRA Match Rifle Circa 1946

• Andy54Hawken
• Jul 30, 2024

George Laloux Flintlock Fowler

• Andy54Hawken
• Aug 14, 2024

Nice Rig!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

@Koper....thank you
Andy