Grouse hunting NH

[fishnut 2,358]

So I finally got off of work and a friend with a bird dog came up to NH to do some hunting. We headed even further north to Errol NH. First morning I got 1 snow shoe hair and 2 grouse. The second day I got 2 grouse. 

[Oakridgefirearms 224]

I used to see grouse here in NJ quite a bit, but haven't seen any in years.

[fishnut 2,358]

5 hours ago, Oakridgefirearms said:

I used to see grouse here in NJ quite a bit, but haven't seen any in years.

Yeah I used to do allot of bird hunting in NJ and I have never seen a grouse. Between lack of habatat and so many predators I doubt there are many left. 

[DaddyNick 408]

Congrats on the harvest. 

Use to hear grouse in the south Jersey pines years ago. All the time. Haven't heard them in 20 years. 

Had 2 shots at them 15+ years ago. Missed both times. Haven't targeted them but definitely on bucket list to try for them one day. Probably head to upstate pa or NY for them. Just don't have the numbers down here. 

What guns/loads you using? 

Generally I use high brass #6 for everything.  Probably go with 7 1/2s or possibly even 8s if specifically chasing grouse/woodcock. 

Nick

[fishnut 2,358]

6 hours ago, DaddyNick said:

Congrats on the harvest. 

Use to hear grouse in the south Jersey pines years ago. All the time. Haven't heard them in 20 years. 

Had 2 shots at them 15+ years ago. Missed both times. Haven't targeted them but definitely on bucket list to try for them one day. Probably head to upstate pa or NY for them. Just don't have the numbers down here. 

What guns/loads you using? 

Generally I use high brass #6 for everything.  Probably go with 7 1/2s or possibly even 8s if specifically chasing grouse/woodcock. 

Nick

Yeah I usually used #6 for pheasent but guys up here usually use #7.5-#9 shot for grouse and woodcock si u went with #8 and that dropped them like a rock.

I was using my Winchester 101 12g. I definatly would like a gun with a shorter barrel. It's hard to swing a 28" gun in the heavy cover we were finding the birds in. The first day we had over a dozen flushes and only got 2 birds because it's really hard to get a clean shot off. 

[DaddyNick 408]

28" barrels on a SxS or O/U is like a pump or semi auto with a 25-26" barrel. 

I also think a 20ga framed/action would be lighter and quicker then a heavier beefier 12ga frame. 

Acquired an Ithaca 20ga SxS.  Has 28" barrels choked M//F.  Gonna have the chokes opened up. Probably go with Skeet/IC. Will be used for pheasant, rabbit and woodcock. 

[Parker 213]

Bravo. I'm jealous!

Grouse are the "prince of game birds" for sure. They are also the best to eat in my opinion. 

There are small pockets of them left in New Jersey but they are so scarce and most folks won't divulge their location. Probably the hardest bird to hit on the wing because of the thick cover they abound in, their startling flush combined with rocket speed. 

I've never hunted NH but hope to someday. 

 

 

 

 

[fishnut 2,358]

4 hours ago, Parker said:

Bravo. I'm jealous!

Grouse are the "prince of game birds" for sure. They are also the best to eat in my opinion. 

There are small pockets of them left in New Jersey but they are so scarce and most folks won't divulge their location. Probably the hardest bird to hit on the wing because of the thick cover they abound in, their startling flush combined with rocket speed. 

I've never hunted NH but hope to someday. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks! Let me know if you ever want to come up, I'll meet up with you and take you to some good spots. Just be ready for a very tough uphill hike!

[Parker 213]

16 hours ago, fishnut said:

Thanks! Let me know if you ever want to come up, I'll meet up with you and take you to some good spots. Just be ready for a very tough uphill hike!

That's a nice offer. Reading this post makes me miss my dog now. 

I've never once found grouse in hospitable covers. Most are in the thickest tangles. 

I've hunted them since I was 15, when I took my first trip to Maine. Used to find them in NJ quite often. Ringwood at one time was loaded with them. The best years there were in the 70's-90's. Rare now to see any. It took me years to learn that there are five color variations of grouse, depending on regions. Who knew? 

https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/blog/blog/2016/05/27/grouse-color-phases-what-you-need-to-know/

 

[fishnut 2,358]

3 hours ago, Parker said:

That's a nice offer. Reading this post makes me miss my dog now. 

I've never once found grouse in hospitable covers. Most are in the thickest tangles. 

I've hunted them since I was 15, when I took my first trip to Maine. Used to find them in NJ quite often. Ringwood at one time was loaded with them. The best years there were in the 70's-90's. Rare now to see any. It took me years to learn that there are five color variations of grouse, depending on regions. Who knew? 

https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/blog/blog/2016/05/27/grouse-color-phases-what-you-need-to-know/

 

I did not know either until the other day when I shot a grey and a brown. Now I want to collect a tail from all the variations. Lol. 

After hunting grouse with my buddy's dog I am now on the hunt for a reputable vizsla breeder near me to get on a list for a spring puppy. Pheasants are hard enough to hunt without a dog but grouse are really hard to hunt without a dog. Then it's near impossable to find them once you down one! 

[Parker 213]

I erroneoulsy call "reds" "browns" and vice versa. I struggle to identify an "intermediate" phase. Add to that the "split" and things get complicated. 

Mostly grays and reds I've found in Maine. New Jersey & PA I have found red, split, brown and intermediate phases. Mostly grays are what I've taken in New York. 

My largest red phase taken in Maine:

 

 

Early season grouse are tough because of the thick cover with leaves still on trees. In states where seasons extend to February, like NY, late season grouse are tougher to find but are more easily hunted without a dog.  

There is no comparison to hunting w/o a dog and hunting with a good bird dog. And shots on grouse are by far the most humbling experience in the upland world. 

 

[fishnut 2,358]

@vjf915

[gleninjersey 2,139]

Congrats.  Looks like  a really nice day.