The Season is almost here!!!!

[Ruff Hunter]

Well 3 weeks from today Ruffed Grouse season opens in East Tn!!!!!.... And yes it's still green and warm but better days are coming. I've been running the dog for about 3 weeks now of the morning...... I can't wait. I normally wait til the first of November but I still get excited about The Second Saturday in October!!!!!

 

[Rjratliff1975]

Do you see many grouse in East Tn.? When I was growing up in eastern Ky. I would see them and hear them drumming all the time. I never hunted them specifically, but on numerous occasions while squirrel hunting during grouse season I would harvest one. They are great eating. Since moving to East Tn several years ago I have only saw one and heard one other drumming.

 

[larry ipock]

been a very long time since I heard or saw a grouse in Scott county.

 

[Ruff Hunter]

At one time grouse were "everywhere "..... Now deer and turkeys are everywhere. To find grouse one has to go where those two things have not flourished lol. Also I think west Nile has had an impact but I'm no biologist. I love to hunt them and as long as one is out there then I'm going after him!!!!!

 

[Rjratliff1975]

I hear that. Good luck this season. If you get some post up some pics, would like to see them

 

[larry ipock]

I had an grouse hunter from W VA tell me that turkey would prey on the grouse hatchlings, said that they would eat em up. He said to the turkeys, they probably look like a big bug. Don't know if its true, but hey are just a big chicken.

 

[Ruff Hunter]

I think that grouse and turkeys compete for the same food and the bigger turkey is gonna win and so the grouse has to go to where he can eat and in doing so exposes himself to predation or he is forced out of a good area with food , cover and an escape route to an area that is poor at best..... Like I've said I'm no biologist .... Just been hunting them since the early 80's

 

[MickThompson]

I'd say the slowdown/lack of timber harvest in the Cherokee and other large landholdings has had as much an impact as anything on them. And we are on the very southern edge of their range, so these populations are the most prone to being volatile.

 

[Ruff Hunter]

I would have to agree with that assessment also about the timber harvest.....

 

[Ruff Hunter]

First cool snap of the year is almost upon us. The dog is getting in shape and I'm trying also!!!..... The Second Saturday in October is almost here!!!!

 

[Mattt]

Yea ill miss october due to drawn tags out west but will be on them in november

 

[Ruff Hunter]

I don't hunt in October either. Mainly just take the dog out in the woods and wait on November!!!!!

 

[longrangeshooter]

id like to go I might know where some are