Forest grouse are everyone's game bird

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist If you're a big-game hunter, you may curse forest grouse as often as you praise them. They have an annoying habit of erupting at your feet and jolting you with an adrenaline rush usually reserved for a bull elk in your sights. Their tendency to hold tight and flush with a ruckus makes them like a forest-dwelling pheasant, and it's a welcome moment for upland bird hunters. "It's a fun experience," said Rob Ryan of Coeur d'Alene. He hunts forest grouse with his pointing dogs, scouring the forest of North Idaho for the opportunity to hear the staccato flush and hopefully follow it with a shotgun blast and a bird in the bag. Forest grouse are among the mostly widely distributed upland birds in Idaho and commonly found on public lands, and they provide a hunting opportunity for nearly anyone. The season runs until Dec. 31 in most of the state and until Jan. 31 in northern Idaho. Hunters can take four forest grouse a day and have 12 in possession. See the upland rules booklet for boundaries and more details. Forest grouse are pursued by dedicated upland hunters, who hunt them with pointing dogs in classic fashion, and also by any other licensed hunter who comes across one in the forest and is handy enough to hit it with a shotgun, rifle, handgun, arrow, or "thrown missile" (i.e. rock or stick) if you're feeling particularly sporting. Those unique rules recognize forest grouse's long-time use as a tasty camp meal by big-game hunters who aren't toting a shotgun when they encounter one. But forest grouse are worthy quarry for all hunters who love hiking in the forest and pursuing an interesting bird, or birds, in this case. Idaho is home to three forest grouse species: ruffed, dusky (aka blue) and spruce grouse. All can be found at mid-to-high elevations throughout the state with the central, eastern and northern portions of the state making up their core habitat. Each bird favors a different habitat. Ruffed grouse are often found in mid-elevation creek bottoms and other riparian areas, or in moist, brushy areas, such as north-facing slopes and draws. Dusky (blue) grouse are larger birds and found in Douglas fir forests during fall and winter. Spruce grouse are the least common of the three and are sparsely distributed in dense conifer forests. Ridges that divide north and south facing slopes and other places where timber meets open country are often good places to find grouse. Unlike other upland birds that sometimes flush well out of shotgun range, grouse often hold until you nearly step on them. After flushing, it's common for them to light on a nearby branch and stare down, which makes them vulnerable to a well-aimed .22 rifle or handgun. That tendency also means hunters without a dog still have a fair chance at finding grouse and getting a shot. "But having a dog makes it a lot more fun," Ryan said. "And it's great for finding those grouse you might not otherwise see." Forest grouse are known as excellent table fare. Their white meat and mild flavor makes them easy to prepare and gives you many cooking option. "Baked, grilled, fried, it's all good," Ryan said. One thing to remember, unlike other upland birds that are often found in large groups, forest grouse are often loners, or found in pairs or small coveys, typically a few birds and rarely more than six. "A lot of times you're hunting a while for one or two birds," Ryan said. You may have to cover a lot of ground to find them, but in Idaho's beautiful forests and mountains, covering a lot of ground isn't necessarily a bad thing.