Forest grouse hunt looks promising
Grouse numbers range from average to above average this fall
It looks like mild conditions helped adult forest grouse in Utah last winter. And the same dry, mild conditions can help you as a hunter: finding areas that are greener than surrounding areas should put you on birds this year.
Jason Robinson, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says reports from DWR field biologists indicate the number of forest grouse is average—or, in the case of dusky grouse, slightly above average—going into this fall’s hunt.
Robinson says mild temperatures and a lack of snow allowed plenty of adult birds to survive the winter and enter the spring breeding season in good condition. Once hatched, though, their chicks faced tough conditions. “Dry conditions meant less water,” Robinson says, “and less water meant fewer forbs and insects for the chicks to eat. Chick survival was likely down this year.”
Despite fewer young birds, plenty of adult grouse are available to hunt. “I think this fall’s hunt will be a good one,” says Robinson, an avid forest grouse hunter. “Finding areas that are greener than surrounding areas, and then focusing your efforts in those areas, will be the key to taking birds this year.”
Utah’s forest grouse hunt starts Sept. 1. Ruffed grouse are found on mountain ranges extending from the Idaho border south to Fish Lake and the north and south slopes of the Uinta Mountains extending east to the Colorado border. Dusky grouse are more widespread: any pine, fir or spruce forest above 7,000 feet in elevation likely has dusky grouse in it.
Maps that show where dusky and ruffed grouse live in Utah—and more information about the birds themselves—is available on pages 33 and 44 of the 2018 – 2019 Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook. You can get the free guidebook at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks.
Once you’ve put yourself in the right areas in the state, Robinson provides tips to help you find birds:
Ruffed grouse
Tip 1 – Look for aspen trees and thick cover
To find ruffed grouse, scan the forest, looking for stands of white-trunked aspen trees. Once you’ve spotted a stand, head for it. If ruffed grouse are in the area, you’ll find them in the aspen tree stand or in pine, maple or oak tree forest that’s close to the aspen trees.
All aspen stands aren’t created equal, though. The thicker the cover in the stand, the more likely it harbors ruffed grouse. “Ruffed grouse live in cover that’s thicker than many hunters expect or want to hunt in,” he says. “They love thick cover.”
Dusky grouse
Tip 1 – Move higher as the season progresses
Dusky grouse do something most wildlife species don’t: as conditions get harsher, dusky grouse move higher in elevation.
In early September, you’ll usually find duskies in aspen, pine, fir or spruce tree stands that have a thick understory. An understory that includes snowberries, serviceberries and other types of berries is especially attractive.
By October, the birds have climbed to ridgelines dotted with pine, fir or spruce trees. Then, starting about Nov. 1—and continuing through the end of the season—dusky grouse will be 9,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation. “During the last part of the season,” Robinson says, “dusky grouse feed entirely on the needles of pine, fir or spruce trees. And they zero in on areas that have certain types of trees. Douglas fir trees are, by far, their favorite tree at the end of the hunting season.”
Once you’ve put yourself in the right habitat, it’s time to hunt. The tips Robinson provides apply to both ruffed and dusky grouse hunting:
Hunting with a dog
Tip 1 – Put your dog in the right habitat
Your dog can’t find birds if there aren’t birds to be found. Identify the right habitat before putting your dog to work. And, remember, the greener the vegetation this year, the better. “Once you’ve identified a good spot,” Robinson says, “trust your dog. Let it do its thing.”
Tip 2 – Hunt early in the day
Hunt early in the day, when the temperature is cooler and the humidity is higher. These conditions will make it easier for your dog to pick up the birds’ scent.
Tip 3 – Give your dog plenty of water
Keeping your dog hydrated will also help it pick up scent easier.
Hunting without a dog
Tip 1 – Put yourself in the right habitat
As mentioned above, put yourself in an area that likely has birds in it. Remember, the greener the vegetation this year, the better.
Tip 2 – Walker slower
Walking slowly, stopping, walking and then stopping again is often the key to putting grouse in the air. “Walking slowly, and stopping often, causes grouse to think you’ve spotted them,” he says. “That’s often what it takes to get them to flush.”
Tip 3 – Walk trails during the early morning
During the morning, grouse often head to trails and other open spots to pick up the grit they need to grind their food. Walking trails in the early morning can often put you on top of grouse.
Tip 4 – Be alert
While hunting grouse, always be ready to shoulder your gun and shoot. Grouse flush quickly and fly away fast.
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Learn how to hunt waterfowl at free clinic
Clinic happens Sept. 8
Elmo -- You can sharpen your waterfowl hunting skills at a free clinic on Sept. 8. And—if you’re 14 years of age or younger—you might even win a free 20-gauge shotgun.
The Division of Wildlife Resources, the Desert Ducks chapter of Ducks Unlimited and Sportsman’s Warehouse are hosting the clinic at the Desert Lake Waterfowl Management Area east of Elmo. Both youth and adult hunters are invited to attend. The clinic runs from 8 a.m. – noon.
“The clinic will feature plenty of fun and practical exercises for both new and experienced hunters,” says Walt Maldonado, DWR wildlife recreation specialist in southeastern Utah. “The clinic has something for everyone.”
You can learn several skills at the clinic, including how to shoot, call ducks, train dogs and arrange duck decoys. Youth participants can also shoot clay pigeons from a duck blind. The targets will be thrown at various angles to simulate the different types of shots waterfowl hunters encounter in the field.
A variety of shotguns will be available for adults and youth to use. You’ll learn which firearms and ammunition are best for hunting ducks and geese, proper shooting technique, and other skills necessary for a safe and successful hunt.
The clinic will culminate in a duck calling contest, and prizes will be awarded. Inexperienced duck callers will get a crash course and time to practice before the contest starts. The clinic will also include a drawing for a 20-gauge shotgun for a lucky youth 14 years of age or younger.
The clinic is free, but you must register to attend. To sign up, visit http://bit.ly/waterfowl_clinic.
If you have questions about the clinic, call the DWR’s Southeastern Region office at 435-613-3707.
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Fishing reports - available at http://wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots .
Go on a guided bird-viewing walk in the wetlands before the Eccles Wildlife Education Center grand-opening ceremony
What: The new Eccles Wildlife Education Center is a gateway to the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake. From its nature trails, you can spot great blue herons, pelicans, hawks, cormorants, ducks and many other migratory bird species. You’ll have the chance to see some of those birds up close if you visit the education center on Sept. 5. The center’s director will be taking visitors on a guided bird-viewing walk in the morning, before the grand-opening ceremony begins at 11 a.m.
Electrofishing the American Fork River
What: Early next week, DWR biologists will use electrofishing gear to take a closer look at fish populations in the American Fork River. After using a low-level electric current to temporarily stun the fish, biologists will collect essential data before returning them to the water unharmed. The sportfish species that live in the river include mostly brown trout, along with a few cutthroat trout. This survey, which typically occurs every five years, will provide valuable information about the river’s fish populations.
Surveying pronghorn herds
What: Pronghorn are unique. Swift and agile, they live in some of Utah’s driest areas and are very visible on the landscape. DWR biologists survey the state’s pronghorn populations every year to monitor growth and movement and to check on the condition of the animals. Reporters and photographers are invited to join a DWR biologist as he looks for pronghorn in southeastern Utah. You’ll see more than just a snapshot of the herd’s health—you’ll get a preview of what hunters can expect during this fall’s pronghorn hunt.
Electrofishing survey in the Green River
What: It sounds painful, but electrofishing is actually a safe, effective way to survey fish populations. In early September, DWR biologists will use a low-level electric current to stun fish in the Green River. Hundreds of large, temporarily immobilized fish will float to the surface. Then, more than 20 DWR employees and volunteers will quickly net the fish, weigh and measure them, record data, insert tracking tags and clip the fishes’ fins. After they collect the information they need, the biologists will release the unharmed fish back into the river. This annual survey allows biologists to collect valuable data and identify changes in the river’s fish populations.
