Bob Gwizdz in South Dakota

I vote for grouse hunting in Michigan. We have millions of acres of federal/state land with great habitat all over the place. Grouse are native and are in ample suppy. Best of all, you dont need to beg or pay a farmer for permission to hunt. Pheasant hunting is for the privledged few with access to farm land. Lets put the money into providing the best grouse hunting in the country on our state/federal lands where everyone has the opportunity to hunt.

Although I have not done alot of grouse hunting (on my life list of things to do), I can see bedly's point as being a realistic goal for Michigan. Lots of public land and a bird which is native to our area are two things grouse hunting has going for it. If we put a fraction of the resources spent on deer management into grouse management, I would bet the abundance of grouse would be much higher.

Looks like I missed this season, but hopefully I'll get some good field time under my belt in 2004 chasing bonasa.

I agree with bedlyblaster this is one of the reason I quite pheasants forever and am a big supporter of Ruff Grouse Soc. I not sure as bad as Mi. budget is why they don't forest off and sell the overgrown timber(before it dies or burns up) they get the money we get the habitat looks like a win win to me.

By the way bedlyblaster nice picture grouse in two different color phases and is that a springer or a curly coated something?

Originally posted by Worm Dunker
I agree with bedlyblaster this is one of the reason I quite pheasants forever and am a big supporter of Ruff Grouse Soc. I not sure as bad as Mi. budget is why they don't forest off and sell the overgrown timber(before it dies or burns up) they get the money we get the habitat looks like a win win to me.

By the way bedlyblaster nice picture grouse in two different color phases and is that a springer or a curly coated something?

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Because the environmentalists, such as Sierra Club, drag them into court every time they try to do some cutting. RGS and MUCC have been actively taking part in attending Compartment Reviews the past two years, and we are making some progress. Plus the big court battle RGS helped the MDNR win over Sierra Club last year should help a bit. However, we need all the support we can get. If you go on the MDNR website and search for Compartment Review and Open Houses, do your best to get to them and let the staff know you support new growth management. Even more important is the need for riparian management. The environmentalists have pretty much scared the managers away from even thinking about doing any cutting anywhere near a stream. That is having a big effect on our woodcock numbers.

Our local RGS had a big loss this past year, that hopefully will help out the entire state. Our regional biologist, Adam Bump, resigned to take a position with MDNR. While that is a big loss to the regional RGS, it is a great win for MI grouse hunters. Adam has been instrumental in turning around the lack of management on MI forests.

Another thing to point out, is that these cuttings provide excellent cover and food sources for deer, which are, also, suffering on our public land. Provide some good food and cover, and they will spread out instead of massing on privately held cornfields.

I agree. Habitat is the key to all species. WE Need to focus on building and sustaining habitat that can be useful for our animals. The Ruffed Grouse is native and a great bird to hunt. I enjoy hunting pheasants but I cannot afford to hunt them too often. I can hunt the grouse and woodcock right out my front door. Hopefully, the new biologist will help the bird hunters in this state.

That would be a 35 lb american water spaniel. Not a classic grouse dog but definetly a grouse huntin sun of gun.

Lets hope the DNR can step up the clear cuts on state land and the feds can keep it up on fed land. This is the key to better grouse/deer hunting. Great grouse/deer/doodle/turkey hunting depends on it.

Always a strong supporter of RGS and lets not forget the Loyal Order of Dedicated Grouse hunters.

...is that a spinger or a curly coated something

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Geez, Worm Dunker.....maybe if you'd quit hunting behind them long haired Dalmations, you might find out there are other dog breeds out there!

I hunted behind an American Water Spaniel for 10 years....everyone used to make fun of my "water poodle"....that is, until he started finding birds and bringin' em back, including some that someone else (maybe with a setter? ) shot and lost.
I took a lot of ribbing because I hunted with him, but he had the best nose of any dog I ever hunted with......my wife used to say that he only had two brain cells: one for hunting and one for food. All I can say is for him, that was enough......I do miss that SOB.

Mr. 16 gauge the charter boat next to me has one just like in the picture and I'm sure he called his a curly coated Boykin but my spelling is so bad didn't even want to try spell it(seen it posted here to get spelling). I don't want you guys to think I'm prejudice but I would hunt behind something better than a setter if I found one!