First PA Hunt - oh so sweet

honeyrun · Post by **honeyrun** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:06 pm

We ended up flushing more grouse on Saturday then we did any day in VT or NH. Looks like the numbers are rebounding in PA.

midwestfisherman · Post by **midwestfisherman** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:21 pm

Very nice! Great pic too!

Post by **grant** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:54 am

Great job and pic!

markj · Post by **markj** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 9:56 am

What type of bird is that? I am in Iowa and havent seen one with the tail as that one. How is the hunting in PA?

honeyrun · Post by **honeyrun** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 9:59 am

That is the last known Ruffed grouse in PA.

markj · Post by **markj** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:11 am

I have seen them in Wyoming, was a long time ago. Used to have a blueish colored bird around here that had a very loud flush, it was a type of grouse my Dad said when I saw one years ago. Dont see any around these days. Used to see huns but not anymore.

When I met one in wyoming it wouldnt move, I walked right up to it. Do these swell up their throats and make a drumming noise in spring?

honeyrun · Post by **honeyrun** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:34 am

Yes they do, but there are many variations of the Ruffed Grouse. The rocky mtn version are more fool hens. The Blue Grouse is similar in size and shape of tail, but blue in color rather than the red or grey color of the eastern cousin. The eastern Ruffed Grouse tends to be very spooky or flighty and can be a real bugger for dogs to handle.

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:01 pm

we see three separate color phases in Minnesota, all ruffed grouse. I would describe them as the normal, buff colored bird, a red phase, and a silver phase.

PS we also have a separate specie, the spruce grouse, which is dark and has little red patches by the eye. this is the bird we call the "fool's hen" because it will allow you to walk right up to it, and never seems to get spooky like ruffed grouse will.

Pleasant Ridge · Post by **Pleasant Ridge** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:08 pm

Cindy,
Thanks for the most wonderful picture. I noticed you have your TT beeper under the dogs chin, does the TT beeper in that position bother the dog? I have a couple Sonic collars, (which have a different tone) that are worn under the chin. The reason that I am asking about the beeper position is I have started using an TT upland special stimulation\beeper combo, and I am having a difficult time keeping them from spinning around on the dogs neck. Not so much on my Shorthairs or my LLews, but a tough time on my EP. I was thinking of experimenting with different collar positions to see where the remote for the beeper will work and not work.
Thanks