Grouse

[buckaroo]

I used to love hunting them here in east TN hills, but in the last 15 yrs seems they have disappeared. Coons, coyotes, hawks, have made a dent in their population, have any of you seen any lately? I suppose they might be some in higher elevations

 

[Grnwing]

I haven't hunted grouse in Tennessee but on some family land up in Wisconsin and if I recall, ruffed grouse populations tend to go in a 7-9 year cycle. Not sure what attributes to the rise and fall but wishful thinking would have me hoping that TN is just in the down side of the cycle.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

25 years ago, as a kid, they were all over the local area I live ( Jamestown). I haven’t seen one in years.

 

[7mm08]

Old timers tell you turkeys will eat the eggs and chicks. When raptor cycles are up, grouse are down. Grouse population also prefer a 5-10 year tree cut area... in other words 5-10 years after trees are cut is their prime habitat. Clear cutting was good for grouse in TN. I used to hunt them quite a bit. Fake knee doesn’t allow for that shenanigans now. I even co-authored an article about East TN grouse hunting for Grouse Point Almanac......

you know , that’s what is trolls do in our spare time!! Ha!!

 

[7mm08]

I haven't hunted grouse in Tennessee but on some family land up in Wisconsin and if I recall, ruffed grouse populations tend to go in a 7-9 year cycle. Not sure what attributes to the rise and fall but wishful thinking would have me hoping that TN is just in the down side of the cycle.

A small bud on the Birch trees is what is postulated as what causes those cycles. No buds, no birds.

A noble bird to hunt, a great bird to eat.

 

[bigjohn]

I still see a few here in the East, Tn hills and hollers but not often. This spring I had a covey of quail on my place for the first time in 15 years. I’m anxious to see if they are back this year.

 

[Planking]

When i was a kid we saw lots of them. They are gone now. I haven't seen one in at least 20 years. I agree with your reasons as to why.

 

[Planking]

This is what they sound like for anyone that hasn't heard one before.

 

[Setterman]

It’s certainly not what it was 20-30 years ago, or even 5 years ago. Still some birds, but nothing like the past.

endless primo habitat just not the population we should have.

No one knows what’s caused it either. Lots of guessing but no real answers. I still hunt several days a week as it’s good exercise and something to do this time of year

 

[archer19]

High octane wild chickens......
hearing the “drumming” is great
some years see a few....
some years see none......

 

[buckaroo]

It’s certainly not what it was 20-30 years ago, or even 5 years ago. Still some birds, but nothing like the past.

endless primo habitat just not the population we should have.

No one knows what’s caused it either. Lots of guessing but no real answers. I still hunt several days a week as it’s good exercise and something to do this time of year

How many do you jump and what county if you don’t mind

 

[41Magnum]

Haven’t seen a grouse in several years in the area I hunt. Years ago you couldn’t go up there on the mountain without seeing several grouse, every trip. You just knew where to go and they were there. I haven’t even heard one drumming in years.

 

[Displaced_Vol]

Seems to be the same story in East KY. I never have tried to hunt them but know some that have/did and it’s nothing like it used to be apparently. That’s a shame.

 

[cowhunter71]

Still see a few here in the Mountains. Flushed 2 today way down low on the mountain, along the edge of a clearcut.

 

[GOHUNT]

Back when we wasn’t so old and lazy I hunted in the mountains of Greene and Washington counties. I always carried a single shot shotgun while scouting once grouse season opened jut in case. Once in a while.....

 

[timberjack86]

Saw this in South Cherokee last spring

 

[Laserman1]

I saw them this year on our deer lease on signal mountain.

 

[Newt]

Used to hear them drumming 15 years ago on catoosa while turkey hunting. That’s a thing of the past now have talked to the local TWRA guys about it and they don’t really know either besides predators??

 

[PalsPal]

hearing the “drumming” is great

Years ago while turkey hunting, I kept hearing someone in the distance trying to pull start a push mower. But I could not figure who it might be or where they would be. I guess it was my dad who told me it was actually a grouse drumming.

 

[larry ipock]

Had a W. VA. grouse hunter tell me the same thing about turkeys eating the diddles, When you think about it, as small as a grouse chick is, to a turkey, just moving protein. I'm sure coons and other predators take their share as well. Been a long time since I heard one drumming.