Blue Grouse

[Heliman]

This past week I was supporting my brother during his special season buck hunt. I wasn't carrying a rifle, just my 4" 686 Smith. We were hunting a new area to us and was driving some forest service roads looking for likely hunting spots. We decided to walk down an old skid road to look for deer sign. I came around a corner and a big mountain blue grouse was beside the road just standing there. It was 40 yards away and standing still. I had 180gr hard cast loads in my revolver. Overkill for a grouse but an accurate load. I supported the butt of the revolver on my walking stick and proceeded to shoot the head off the grouse......okay it took 5 shots, but a head shot at 40 yards was still fair. . The result was my brother and I shared the chicken sized breast and it was great! Roasted, with salt and pepper and some bacon strips. Good eating!



Dave

 

[6GUNSONLY]

As good as it gets for wild fowl, IMO. I used to pot one occasionally when I lived in New Mexico in the mountains. I think the statute of limitations is up on it, so I will confess to once shooting one's head off with a .284 Win rifle one day while elk hunting.

 

[contender]

Dern that looks good!

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

40 yard shot is a good shot. So what if it took 5 shots, whose counting??? I used to carry a 22 pistol, but when you don't have another gun, it's nice to have a little comfort on your belt. Good shot. I bet it was good tasting too. Way prefer grouse over ptarmigan that we had in Alaska.

 

[WAYNO]

Very cool you got a Blue. Substantially larger than a Ruff, and although we see them in the mountains, we don't see them anywhere nearly as often as old Ruff. Ironically, the last Blue I saw was standing in the road with some ruffed grouse.

We shot quite a few ruffed grouse this year. And for whatever reason, they tasted better than I ever remember. Soaked them in water overnight, pasted them with BBQ sauce, and grilled them on the BBQ.

 

[Heliman]

I shot it Thursday morning. I soaked it in ice water until the evening. Then put it in a plastic bag and back in the fridge. Friday I took it out of the refer and let it stand for an hour. Patted it dry and salted and peppered it. Wrapped it with bacon. Roasted in a covered foil pan at 350 for 40 minutes. It came out perfect. In the past with “ruffies” they were a little on the tough side. While not as tender as a chicken breast it was not tough, and was delicious.

 

[tom black]

On my elk hunts to Colorado I used to marinate them in Italian dressing then grill them over a bed of aspen coals. Pretty darn good eating they were.
Tom Black

 

[Colonialgirl]

Hate to say anything BUT; I been watching the Game Ranger programs on tv and
Isn't shooting game including a Blue Grouse from the road side ILLEGAL?

big mountain blue grouse was beside the road just standing there

 

[WAYNO]

Skid roads are not roads. And roads that are no longer maintained are also no longer roads.

 

[Heliman]

Hate to say anything BUT; I been watching the Game Ranger programs on tv and
Isn't shooting game including a Blue Grouse from the road side ILLEGAL?

big mountain blue grouse was beside the road just standing there

I have hunted for 58 years and have NEVER shot at any game from a navigable or maintained road.... So please don’t assume the negative....geez. :roll:

 

[Colonialgirl]

Hate to say anything BUT; I been watching the Game Ranger programs on tv and
Isn't shooting game including a Blue Grouse from the road side ILLEGAL?

big mountain blue grouse was beside the road just standing there

I have hunted for 58 years and have NEVER shot at any game from a navigable or maintained road.... So please don’t assume the negative....geez. :roll:

WAS JUST ASKIN' for cripes sake; I didn't want to see you get some $500-1000 fine. :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[Gator89]

Hate to say anything BUT; I been watching the Game Ranger programs on tv and
Isn't shooting game including a Blue Grouse from the road side ILLEGAL?

big mountain blue grouse was beside the road just standing there

I have hunted for 58 years and have NEVER shot at any game from a navigable or maintained road.... So please don’t assume the negative....geez. :roll:

One has not lived until one has road hunted pheasant in South Dakota. 8)

 

[trebor44]

Sling shot of your choice and 'ammo' (steel/lead balls, used double A's or triple A's etc. ). Since Blue Grouse are related to the Dodo bird they are easy to harvest! And tasty if not on a juniper berry diet.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Quote [Since Blue Grouse are related to the Dodo bird they are easy to harvest! ]

That's a new one on me. First I've heard that.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Looks pretty good!

 

[Dave P.]

I've never shot at a Grouse of any shape or color.
Are the things so stupid that they just stand there
and let you shoot at them?
Damn dumb bird deserves to be eaten!
Dave

 

[WAYNO]

I've never shot at a Grouse of any shape or color.
Are the things so stupid that they just stand there
and let you shoot at them?
Damn dumb bird deserves to be eaten!
Dave

You can never predict what a grouse will do. Sometimes they flee at a distance, sometimes they'll let you get really close. And often if you shoot at one, others will stick around to let you shoot at them too. And if you miss, they'll often stick around to give you a second shot.

 

[Heliman]

This particular grouse allowed me to fire 4 rounds from a 357 without moving. The 5th round was the kill shot. This is the reaction I have come to expect along with them scaring the crap out of me while sneaking through the woods. They tend to be motionless and well camouflaged until you are on top of them. Then they explode from the brush in an escape flight. Very startling to the unaware hunter....

 

[tom black]

I've killed several elk hunting. Everyone were shot with my old 4" pre Model 18 Smith.
Tom Black

 

[Heliman]

I've killed several elk hunting. Everyone were shot with my old 4" pre Model 18 Smith.
Tom Black

I used a 4” 686 with heavy critter defense loads. I was not carrying a rifle. A .38 would have worked just fine as would any .22. In Washington state a grouse may be taken with any weapon. I have taken them with handguns, shotgun, and center fire rifle. I have heard of archery hunters taking them as well.