I' ve seen it all now !

Adrian J Hare · 05-23-2003, 03:44 PM

This morning a Client and I headed a field. We got setup in a nice hardwood woods and waited out a Gobble , well not far (150)yds , we heard what we wanted to hear. I moved in closer because the bird was roosted in some thick cover just off the woods with his hens and I thought a good quiet sneek could put me in the 60-70yd mark. We got setup and after 20 minutes the birds flew down,Gobbling started aswell as some Cutting and yelping from the hens. After a 15 minute time period the woods quieted , so I leaned and told my client that was sitting in front of me that I will call soft and keep a good eye incase of a silent bird sliding in. Well after about 10 minutes I notice the guy slowly slide his gun on his shoulder and get ready. I' m thinking he see' s a bird moving in and not a noise at all. Then I notice some movement in front of me and off the the right about 20 yds then all of a suddon hear walks out to 15 yds is a Ruffle Grouse in FULL STRUT, tail fanned,feather in the neck puffed out,wings hangin, Man I laughed! I could not believe this little fellow walked right into the call all excited. My client was not sure what to think, he told me later the only thing the bird was missing was Red. Has anyone else seen this behavour from a Grouse ? It was sure something to see

...BT

snowdog2 · 05-23-2003, 03:58 PM

Must have been a hybrid Grouse/Turkey cross, to be struttin' like that.

Good story, make a great Web tale/myth!!

Mr. Longbeard · 05-23-2003, 04:31 PM

Sounds like that client of yours was also a turkey killing machine lol

huntnma · 05-23-2003, 07:37 PM

nope , not me.....

LiL E · 05-23-2003, 07:54 PM

Maybe he learned that that was a very popular pose for the ladies!

Turk_man · 05-23-2003, 08:03 PM

Seen it twice around here but both times the grouse was following a female (hen). Seems when they got a woman they get real fired up.

BeardsnSpurs · 05-23-2003, 08:20 PM

I know when they go Thump thump thump thump thump it feels like its in your chest

Bobgobble2 · 05-23-2003, 08:36 PM

HMMMM!!No ruffs in my territory BT,but the rooster pheasants will crow there heads off to ya!!!Maybe your on to a new ruffed grouse call buddy!!

maytom · 05-23-2003, 08:38 PM

That must of been something to see for sure!!! All I know is when I' m headed into the woods early in the morning, and one of those little buggers takes off right at your feet, it almost makes you brown your shorts!![

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PABeardBuster · 05-23-2003, 08:45 PM

Grouse strut quite a bit in the spring. They also do alot of drumming, I' m sure everyone has heard that. Someday I' d like to build a blind within a few feet of a well-used drumming log and take pictures, but I' ve heard it' s tough.

Tyler