Grouse Drum counts

[THG]

Grouse Drum counts
I know the Minnesota  DNR is in the business of selling licenses but I am tired of every fall hearing the overly optimistic grouse counts only to go hunting and find out they are WRONG.
 We should find a better way!

[deadeye]

What do you suggest?

[Bobby Bass]

I never let the drum counts determe if I bird hunt or not. Put the time in the woods and you will find birds. Of course I still hunt what some call to be the old fashion way. I walk with dogs, not ride a four wheeler.

[beeker]

this was a very good year for grouse.

[deadeye]

Bobby Bass, if you call walking with dogs the old fashion way, I wonder what you call the way I hunt.  No 4 wheeler, no dogs, just me walking through the woods.  Of course, I do admit I don't do too much damage to the grouse population.   

[Bobby Bass]

Well they say they the best way to hunt grouse is with a dog, the second best way is all alone. I know when I miss a grouse I always blame it on the dogs! 

[deadeye]

I ususally have some excuse, not ready, flushed to far away, not ready, hit a tree, not ready, sun in my eyes, not ready, forgot to load one in the chamber, not ready, didn't see it soon enough, not ready, startled me, oh, and did I mention not ready.

[beeker]

there is another way.. this year while doing pre-deer stand checking sat in a stand with the 12ga on my knees.. a grouse came strutting out... so count him in the bag limit.. and count him as being taking while sitting on stand. like I said grouse were very good this year

[UplandObsession]

So this is a month old Thread but I am bored and wanted to add in my $0.02.  The drum count is different in every part of MN (obviously)  While I was home for 2 weeks I went up to Duluth and Ely on my "honeymoon" and saw a good amount of birds.  the day after I got back from duluth I decided to drive hour and a half to my favorite area near backus/Pine River that suprisingly produces acouple birds a day.  Went up there and I hunt by myself with no dogs and walked close to 15 miles of trails and through thick s**t, also drove alot of trails as well hoping for a young dumb bird.  Through the whole day I did not see or hear any birds. I hunt in may different ways, like I said I hunt by myself or with a group walking, I use 4 wheelers, I use my truck.  I always have a decent amout of luck.

[THG]

UplandObsession, while it has been a while since my “honeymoon” 1965 and my memory isn’t what it used to be I do know grouse never crossed my mind.

Deadeye, I think grouse drum counting should be stopped. Most of us are going to hunt no matter the count and many things plus the weather affect the number of grouse available when the hunting season starts. Resources spent on grouse drum count could be better used.

[deadeye]

THG,  Yes, I would go regardless of the "drumming count".  I don't know anyone who says "damn, I'd love to go grouse hunting but the drum count was just too low".   

[pepperdog]

thg,,,,,,could you help me out if I made a trip to mn grouse hunting. I live in Tennessee and any help I could get from someone who has grouse hunted there would be appreciated. this is new to me so have patience. I hunt with a shorthair and would love to take a trip out there.....I've been told to hunt around iffie.

[pepperdog]

Grouse Drum counts
I know the Minnesota  DNR is in the business of selling licenses but I am tired of every fall hearing the overly optimistic grouse counts only to go hunting and find out they are WRONG.
 We should find a better way!

[pepperdog]

Well they say they the best way to hunt grouse is with a dog, the second best way is all alone. I know when I miss a grouse I always blame it on the dogs! 

are you seeing a lot of grouse this year

[Bobby Bass]

Was a very slow year. lot of snow early and got real cold real quick, pretty much took care of any post deer grouse season.