grouse numbers

[zmiller]

How were the grouse numbers last year, and how are they looking for
this year?

[TC3...@aol.com]

We moved 15 birds a day on average in the UP. (Six hunters in 3 separate groups with 2 dogs per group usually)  The LP was not as good but still worth the time and effort.  I wish my shooting was better.

 

The projections for this year are about the same as last, we are on the upswing of the cycle but two or more years from the peak.  My experience has been that you can find birds in any given year if you hunt the right cover, hard, with good dogs.  We will see how things turn out.

 

Woodcock are down I think.  You see them but nowhere near the numbers as in years past.

 

What has been your experience?

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[Zachary Miller]

I hunt here in Minnesota, around Mora. I moved an average 15 birds a day as well, by myself with no dog. I found numbers around Orr/International Falls to be slightly higher yet, the few times that I hunted there last year. I was curious how the numbers in michigan were. It looks to be another good year coming up, we have not yet reached the peak season yet either. The rule of thumb around Mora is feast or famine, down years it is not worth your time to hunt even the prime ground. However further north just as you said, they can be found any year.

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