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CKerley

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Model 12's, Browning Auto-5, 870
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48 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm looking at taking a grouse hunting trip to WI, MI or MN this Fall. Any advice, references on what to study or read, or comments in general from anyone is certainly welcome. I'm only sticking to those States since I'm in Southern IL and it's about the closest to find a grouse I believe.
My young Boykin is birdy enough I think he will find them, and I fully expect it to be a learning trip more than a freezer-filler.
 
I hunted grouse in Wisconsin in the mid 80s to early 90s . On years when the cycle is up it’s incredible! I would be there the first week of October. Weather was usually pretty good, leaves will be coming down. I hunted the Nicolette NF . Maps are available.
 
CKerley,
I agree with Turkinator 100%, hunt WI and find a location where few Grouse hunters are shooting up the woods, like the NFF. On the last trip to MI, we had way to many Grouse hunters and lots of snow in the UP that year. My young Gordon pointed many birds in the trees that year. Further because my log cabin is in the best Grouse hunting in Pa, I had more Grouse contact and shot more birds in Pa that year, than I did in MI.
We also went to NH & ME, a lot less Grouse hunters and not as much snow, the birds were on the Ground more, and there were no where near as many Grouse hunters. I recommend WI for less hunter contact and great Grouse contact, I agree the NFF is a good place to Grouse hunt, and most times great Grouse gunning.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

We also have serious Grouse hunting in Pa, on the northern tier.
Image
 
Like Turk, I would recommend WI tho I am not exactly sure of the present timing re the rolling sine curve of ruffed grouse population ups and downs in the upper great lakes region.
Recommended solely due to your home location and the simple desire you have to be there and learn.

I would differ a bit in timing...the 10th of October period normally finds more bracken down as well as leaves...plus, while cooler is varying every year, dogs and I appreciate the odds of morning frost helping with moisture for sniffing.

Consider learning early successional cover and if WI has any such grouse production areas then that could be an option, tho a hard hit one. Woodcock will be where you find them, locals or migrants.
Play moisture, food and covert quality, ime.
Have fun in the quest for birds.

Words on the subject are abundant....from studies to literature.
Pick & enjoy.
A good gazeteer is nice ie Delorme.
Use a gps for pup and venturing away from a road...I've come upon and returned more than one lost dog in the Yoop....I have been twisted around myownself for a bit too.
Police for ticks!
Accept that wolves will likely not be much of a concern in October but, consider any critter that will be around and potential.
Personally, I find grouse do not require a daybreak arrival but....your option.
Not sure your gun choice but 20 & IC will be at any advised center with venturing away from that, quite common and ok.....pump, sem-auto, two-row or the perennial champ, the o/u.

Sounds like you will but every single dog has a degree of learning curve re game birds....especially a first trip of the year.
Allow both pup and you to have good days and less good days.....tailgate photos are over-rated.
Breathe deep and grin....take photos, make memories.
Good luck in finding what you wish.
 
I am sending an IM with secret tips.
 
After 50+ years chasing 'Ol Ruff around the balsams in WI (and with the recent lack of bird contacts) grouse hunting is all about putting one foot in front of the other...you need to be in top shape. Early season is always best in terms of bird contacts. By late season they've been pushed by so many hunters they're skittish... good luck getting close enough for a shot. The problem with us old bastages we remember how good we had it back in the day... so sad. With that said, I still go afield and you should too. The King deserves our best effort.
 
One more thing to watch fo is old porky! My old hunting buddy’s English Setter decided to put the chomp on one! We spent the rest of the day in the veterinary clinic getting quills removed.
Like Turk, I would recommend WI tho I am not exactly sure of the present timing re the rolling sine curve of ruffed grouse population ups and downs in the upper great lakes region.
Recommended solely due to your home location and the simple desire you have to be there and learn.

I would differ a bit in timing...the 10th of October period normally finds more bracken down as well as leaves...plus, while cooler is varying every year, dogs and I appreciate the odds of morning frost helping with moisture for sniffing.

Consider learning early successional cover and if WI has any such grouse production areas then that could be an option, tho a hard hit one. Woodcock will be where you find them, locals or migrants.
Play moisture, food and covert quality, ime.
Have fun in the quest for birds.

Words on the subject are abundant....from studies to literature.
Pick & enjoy.
A good gazeteer is nice ie Delorme.
Use a gps for pup and venturing away from a road...I've come upon and returned more than one lost dog in the Yoop....I have been twisted around myownself for a bit too.
Police for ticks!
Accept that wolves will likely not be much of a concern in October but, consider any critter that will be around and potential.
Personally, I find grouse do not require a daybreak arrival but....your option.
Not sure your gun choice but 20 & IC will be at any advised center with venturing away from that, quite common and ok.....pump, sem-auto, two-row or the perennial champ, the o/u.

Sounds like you will but every single dog has a degree of learning curve re game birds....especially a first trip of the year.
Allow both pup and you to have good days and less good days.....tailgate photos are over-rated.
Breathe deep and grin....take photos, make memories.
Good luck in finding what you wish.
 
One more thing to watch fo is old porky! My old hunting buddy’s English Setter decided to put the chomp on one! We spent the rest of the day in the veterinary clinic getting quills removed.
Yes, I always look for the closest vet to the area I am hunting and put a phone# and directions into the phone...just in case.
Bad stuff happens to good dogs....sadly, that stuff has been memories too.
 
Shortest and fastest avenue IMO is Scout N Hunt maps. I still pay the yearly subscription each year. When you are in miles and miles of great looking cover instead of a "Back East" covert where they are concentrated it is worth every penny. Seeing how you are not familiar with grouse habits and habitat it might be worth it for you to explore their podcasts. They used to put on seminars across the Country not sure if they still do but my friends that have attended have said they are excellent.

There are no grouse in Wisconsin. Nothing to see here. Suggest you move along to the yoopers.

Well I always say there are no grouse in Mn. so you should go to Wi. that is where they all are. I just got back from Wi. shooting and sometimes think I spend more time there then Mn. From now on I am going to go with all the grouse are in the UP, so many that they impale themselves on your trucks antenna! Count me in, everyone should go to the UP.

Nothing to see here....

I hunt flushers, Nova Scotia Duck Tollers, and many feel you don't need a GPS on a flusher. I will not put a dog on the ground without one, especially in wolf country where time really matters a lot. The time to break down and get a GPS collar is before you need one, not when you wish you had one on the dog.

Image


Yes, I always look for the closest vet to the area I am hunting and put a phone# and directions into the phone...just in case.
Bad stuff happens to good dogs....sadly, that stuff has been memories too.
I carry hemostats for pulling quills, along with a few essential items like industrial zip ties for conibear traps and cable cutters for snares. I am usually hunting where there is no cell phone reception so rent a sat phone for the month of Oct. once I turned 60. Renting a sat phone is well worth it for the peace of mind if you are in remote areas.

I have custom made Russell Moccasin boots and several other fairly high end boots. But once my ankles and joints started falling apart I needed to step it up to more support. Which I should have to begin with years ago. I'm a big fan of Crispi boots.
 
Nothing in the Yoop 💡💡...David and his gun shop friend done checked it out last year....some of you fellas simply are not paying attention.

Quite honestly, shut the truck door on some cover of a reasonable age and just go.
Make mistakes, make good decisions, build an encyclopedia of what works for you....it's a learning kind of thing and slanted a bit in that we all bird hunt differently, to a degree.

Nothing wrong with walking a two-track out and back to not get lost but, still, as I noted.....get a gps for your dog!...wherever you choose to go.
Please...and no matter the breed, breeding or the age.


Oh yea...nearly forgot, embrace(pun intended) galluses.


$$$$$41.79601° N, 77.57717° W*$$$$$
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Thanks for all the information, I'm looking maps and what-not over right now. Modified or IC chokes best, or is that too broad of a question to ask with all the possibilities?
 
CKerley,

It all depends on the habitat I am hunting that particular day, IC/M is good most of the time, however I also use the M/F 16 gauge L.C. Smith with RST 1 oz SpredR shells @ 1200 FPS quite a bit. If I have my 28 the RST 1 0z Pigeon shells at 1300 FPS with IC/M or C/IC chokes are Great in the Grouse woods. I use different guns in different habitat, I have a 16 gauge L.C. Smith 2 barrel set choked IC/M 1st barrel, 2nd barrel M/F. When the habitat is real dense I use the M/F barrels with the #6 RST SpredR shells, a serious Grouse and Woodcock killing gun. The L.C. Smith 28 gauge made by Zabala in Spain, shoots real tight patterns, I use the C & IC screw in chokes in her most of the time, with the 1 0z RST Pigeon loads. That particular gun is one Grouse killing machine, with those new shells. In fact it almost eliminates the need for a 20 gauge gun. My #2 L.C. Smith has SK1 & SK2 screw Briley chokes, the gun was a 20 gauge originally, that was fully sleeved for 28. I use a lot of the RST Pigeon shells in her also, very serious Grouse gun that really downs the birds quite well.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

L.C. Smith #2 gun sleeved for 28 gauge with Briley SK1 & SK2 screw in chokes.
My best 28 gauge Grouse & Woodcock gun.
Image


Image


Pine Creek Penny with the modern L.C. Smith 28 gauge and one of her many Grouse, taken with the gun.
Image
 
I’m with you up to the galluses! I never could stand the pants falling down feeling!
Nothing in the Yoop 💡💡...David and his gun shop friend done checked it out last year....some of you fellas simply are not paying attention.

Quite honestly, shut the truck door on some cover of a reasonable age and just go.
Make mistakes, make good decisions, build an encyclopedia of what works for you....it's a learning kind of thing and slanted a bit in that we all bird hunt differently, to a degree.

Nothing wrong with walking a two-track out and back to not get lost but, still, as I noted.....get a gps for your dog!...wherever you choose to go.
Please...and no matter the breed, breeding or the age.


Oh yea...nearly forgot, embrace(pun intended) galluses.


$$$$$41.79601° N, 77.57717° W*$$$$$
 
Here are some areas to get started. At least you are sure to find other grouse hunters with coverts as well marked as this!

 
OP, public land is public land In Wisconsin or anywhere else. Pressure will be the most closest to opening and weekends. Birds will get pushed off easy to access areas into more remote areas. Anything with a trail will get hit hard as it’s easy walking. GPS on the dog and for you is a good idea if your dog is not throughly trained and takes off on you in the deep woods. Down load maps to your phone. You will not likely have a cell signal. The woods in northern Wisco are big. If you get turned around you can walk a long, long, ways and never hit a road. Bring a back up compass and know how to use it and what way a road is if your electronics go down and you need to get out. Late season with snow you will have everything to yourself but birds will group and be harder to find.

Image
 
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