questions on grouse hunting

[RobN]

I have been out almost every night since the season opened. I have found two or three spots where I can flush about three grouse in 1.5 hours. The cover is really thick and I am physically exhausted after that. I am hunting with out a dog. Are their any tricks to get a better shot off. I am having a hard time hitting any of the grouse. The cover is so thick that I cant tell the difference from where they flush vs. where there are not any. Any and all advice is appreciated.

[bedlyblaster]

Stop walking frequently and stand still. Make sure when you stop walking you are in the clearest spot possible. Birds will usually fly when you stop walking. Dont stop with a tree in front of you. Zig zag dont walk straight. Stick to edges. If you do shoot get to were the bird was when you shot asap. Lots of birds are hit and you dont even know it. just shoot at the bird dont try to figure a lead. cover the bird with the barrell and shoot. Dont rush a shot, usually have more time than you think. Take the safety off when you hear the flush, dont wait till you see the bird. If you dont get a shot, watch the bird close. Follow it up for a reflush.
Good luck,
Larry

[wcoutfitters]

First walk real slow. Do push the grouse, the more your flush them the smarter they get and the further away they flush. Next, wait until the leaves start to fall. Even with a dog I am having a tough time. two or three flushes in and hour or so isn't bad. Don't get too anxious and then go get a English springer spanial to help out.

[GSP2]

I have to agree with WC, walk real slow. Your not out there running a marathon so take your time, let the dogs work or give yourself a chance to flush a few close if working without a dog. I have a friend who thinks he is on a speed walk outing and it makes it tough for the dogs to cover the ground well and tougher for me to get a good shot on the birds that they do point.

[thehunter49733]

I have found a few grouse in areas that are not as thick in the past couple of weeks try hunting jack pine it my sound funny but i was out scouting for deer last week and kicked up a covey of 8 birds in the jack pine they where in there feeding on winter green
hunting with the dogs i have been finding veary good numbers of grouse in some of the thickest slash imaginable getting a shot off has been dificult to say the least lol good luck

[part timer]

I've found a couple of spots where I'm finding a fair number of birds - and that is in southwest Michigan. The problem is that the cover is so thick that I'm not able to get a shot. I haven't had much luck finding birds in the thinner cover.

I'm hunting a 6 month old GSP that is having a good time and finding birds. However, she won't hold a point for several minutes. If she is more than 20 yards away from me I simply can't get to her in time to set up for a shot. For the time being I've decided to wait until the leaves fall from the undergrowth or the birds move to lighter cover.

If you are trying to walk up the birds yourself you need to stop frequently. The grouse seem to flush when you stop. They are content to let you walk on by if you are moving steadily.