5 tips for hunting blue (dusky) grouse in the mountains

We've had a great start to the blue grouse season here in Western Colorado. Lots of rain this past spring made for thick cover and, from my perspective, that has meant a bumper crop of blue grouse this year. Or maybe it's that now I've been doing this for a while and I'm starting to learn the little tricks.

1. I find blue grouse between 7,000 and 10,500 feet where I live, but no matter the elevation, blue grouse love ridge tops. If you can go a little higher to the top of the ridge or hill, do it. You'll likely find grouse there. If there is a rocky ridge or a scree field to hunt near, even better. 
2. Try to find a place that has been recently cut in the last two or three years.  The regeneration of the understory is a great place for the birds to find food and cover.  Grouse love grasshoppers and berries.
3. Remember that the places where the grouse hunting is good likely will not have very much, if any, water for your dogs.  You'll need to either pack in water, teach your dogs to drink from your hydration pack or take frequent trips back to the truck.  You might need to tell your bird dog when to take a break since most bird dogs don't want to ever stop. Don't let Fido suffer heat exhaustion. 
4. Pack a good pair or needle nose pliers or a multi-tool. Cactus, thorns and porcupines are abundant anywhere you might be hunting. If your dog gets a cactus in its foot you will need a way to pull it out.
5. Try the Spred-R load from Polywad, Inc. The Spred-R load works very well in my Fox Sterlingworth 20 ga. and is also available in 12, 16 and 28 gauges.  This shotgun shell produces a quick opening and uniform pattern that is very effective for upland shooting.  It helps when you find yourself in tight cover. They are a little more expensive than standard game loads, so sometimes I put one in my right, or more open barrel, and put a standard shell in the other barrel. 

Sue Melus is owner of Melus Outdoors- public relations and communications for the outdoors.

Comments

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