I Love hunting pheasants, chuckars, quail, and huns around our prairie ground, but my favorite hunt is for grouse in our National Forests. I take my Lab into the National Forest every September here in Idaho to hike skid roads and trails hunting ruffed and blue grouse. It is a good way for me to scout areas a month before our Deer and Elk Rifle seasons open. We usually have no problem getting limits, and much to the disgust of my lab I usually have to pass on birds towards the end of the day. While most grouse hunters don't find them much of a challenge, I believe that is because they just shoot them on the ground along the roads. Trying to hit a flushed grouse between trees in thick cover is far from easy, and provides a retrieval challenge to your dog as well. I also usually leave my 12 gauge semi-auto at home and find a single shot .410 easier to pack, very effective, and somehow more fitting for grouse hunting (maybe its just the nostalgic factor from my youth). If you are looking for an excuse to get out with your dog prior to pheasant season, do some scouting for big game, and get some birds, give this a try.
Grouse Hunting is also a good way to scout National Forest
