Gettin High On Grouse

After years of pursuing the Prince of the Woodlands, I have come to understand the old adage of , "grouse are where you find them." I have chased this feathery blur for more years, then I care to remember. From his haunts in the evergreens of Center County, to his lairs in the hemlock swamps of Wyoming and Luzerne Counties. This bird has caused more unintentional tree trimmings via my 20 gauge over and under, then the PA Game Commission would want to know. But that is what grouse hunting is all about.

Although I do believe that the grouse population has seen better days in my home state of Pennsylvania, I would challenge anyone that says "Its just not worth huntin' them birds anymore!" For seasoned grouse hunters that chase the ruff around the swamps and barberry choked hardwoods all season, I say that's poppycock!

My cousin John and I are certifiable grouse addicts! Why you may ask? Because if you hunt by walking up your birds or gleefully follow a German Shorthair, through likely coverts, nothing is more invigorating than hearing the eruption of a grouse, from his hiding spot. But I digress.

There have been tons of articles and books written on the subject. I know this because, I have consumed most of them. But what about the top of the mountain? Just because a pinnacle reaches above 2,000 feet, is it barren of the prince? My answer is a resounding "No!"

During the end of the first season and second season, it does get a tad bit nippy, but nothing that a few extra layers can't handle. I must say that we hunt the "tops" more than any sort of bottom country, during the season. If you think like a bird and you are in cover that has produced for you in the past, you have a great chance of putting up birds. Now hitting them is a different story!

Well you can say, "Russ that's great, but what if I haven't hunted a piece of property before?" To that I say, if you pursue grouse as you would a white tailed deer, all you have to do is pull out your topographical map and locate small waterways along it. There you will come across areas that are predestined to be a grouse haunt. I personally look for access from a trail head, but not too much access! To find a covert not far from the trail or road, but separated by an obstacle or barrier (large stream, gully or steep incline), the possibility of finding birds is better than average. As long as the grouse want to be there at that time of day and that time of the year. I have located coverts that scream "Grouse Hide-e-hole" but were devoid of grouse or woodcock for that matter. Why? My thoughts are that the property is probably too accessible to the masses, that invade the coverts for the first few weeks of the season.

One place in particular comes to mind. A beautiful abandoned farmstead, in Wyoming County. Over grown apple trees, surrounded by brambles and barberry bushes. Hardwoods situated sporadically throughout with a shelter belt of hemlocks through the middle. If I told you where it was (which I won't) you would say "got to be a bird in there!" Why no birds? I feel that the birds don't reside in this covert for long, because of access! The covert lies next to a heavily used State Route and a game lands access road. Between the early season archers and the masses of orange clad hunters driving up and down the roads, I believe the grouse just don't want to be harassed, so they move to quieter surroundings

Just like chasing any other beast in the forest or field: Food, Cover and Water are paramount. I had a friend who would rely more on the water portion of the "Trinity". Now Joe has since lost his mind but would always say, "Find the water, Find the grouse." Well that is partially true. John and I would purposefully walk next to an acidic lake, totally absent of birdy cover and proclaim for all to hear "nice lake! Must be some birds around!" I'm not sure if Joe lost his mind due to some psychiatric disorder or from our nonstop hounding about his grouse hunting logic.

Interesting enough Joe took his first grouse over one of my German Shorthairs, on top of a striped maple thicket. Water? Actually several spring fed seeps are spread throughout this covert. Food was also present, in the form of buds and partridge berries (tea berries). Cover was not a question. If you've ever attempted to walk through a striped maple thicket, you already know. If not, let me tell you this, I watched my dogs look in confusion, while deciding which way to go!

So find a covert on top, with "the trinity", with not too much access and the chance to crack the primer at the "Holy Grail" of game birds, is closer than you think. Not there? Well that's why they make upland boots so comfy. Off to the next covert or birdy lookin bush!