The grouse population in East Tn is nothing to brag about but I've been hunting them since I was a kid (46 now ) so I will keep going. As far as this season is concerned there won't be any answer on the population til January and then I will have an idea of how they are. There are LOTS of acorns so that will bode well going into the spring for the most beautiful thing the good Lord ever created ( well next to a setter )