PCoGrousehunter
Spike
Due to Covid-19, Wisconsin will not do a drumming survey this year. If anyone gets any reliable news from locals on anything to do with grouse numbers, please post.
Wisconsin Drumming Survey
- Thread starter PCoGrousehunter
- Start date
grouseguy
12 pointer
I’ve been up north for about 10 days now and have seen a handful of adult single birds, but no broods.
I also have 2 close local sources that I trust and spend a lot of time in grouse country. ... the first is one of my closest friends and a full time guide ... fish, bear and upland ... he reports LOTS of adults and up to 10 broods seen, with the largest being upwards of 15 chicks. My other source bought a pup from me last year and we are becoming friends. He’s a lineman for the local electric co-op and says he’s seen a lot of adult birds, but no broods.
That’s the straight scoop from the Phillips area ... make of it what you will.
I also have 2 close local sources that I trust and spend a lot of time in grouse country. ... the first is one of my closest friends and a full time guide ... fish, bear and upland ... he reports LOTS of adults and up to 10 broods seen, with the largest being upwards of 15 chicks. My other source bought a pup from me last year and we are becoming friends. He’s a lineman for the local electric co-op and says he’s seen a lot of adult birds, but no broods.
That’s the straight scoop from the Phillips area ... make of it what you will.
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PCoGrousehunter
Spike
Thanks Grouseguy. If you get additional news, let us know.
grouseguy
12 pointer
Interesting info re: West Nile Virus from the WI DNR:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/FMfcgxwJXLmlfCdHlpSDkVXdjMkHrJnK
From what I'm gleaning, with a strong base population and extraordinary habitat, the upper midwest populations may be able to bounce back from WNV and develop antibodies to halt the spread.
Now my opinion ... KY didn't have the above and our grouse hunting is likely a thing of the past as the grouse range moves further northward.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/FMfcgxwJXLmlfCdHlpSDkVXdjMkHrJnK
From what I'm gleaning, with a strong base population and extraordinary habitat, the upper midwest populations may be able to bounce back from WNV and develop antibodies to halt the spread.
Now my opinion ... KY didn't have the above and our grouse hunting is likely a thing of the past as the grouse range moves further northward.
PCoGrousehunter
Spike
Grouse guy: That's the way I read it also. I don't think the report was that bad. Said first detected in Wi in 2002 but no testing until a couple of years ago. With no testing and first detection in 2002, we wouldn't know for sure, but seems like West Nile would have been active way before they started the recent testing. With the exception of 2017, I think it was, I don't remember the grouse numbers being unusually low. Up to that point the numbers seemed consistent with the 10-11 year cycle. I guess we'll find out in the next few years.
If you hear of any more reports from the locals, let us know.
PCoGrousehunter
Spike
Grouseguy: Heard any reports lately?
grouseguy
12 pointer
Nothing lately ... bear season opens tomorrow, so I may get some reports from those hunters.
Also, grouse season comes in this Saturday and my daughter and SIL are going up to our place Sunday. He doesn't hunt, but is booked for a couple of days of musky fishing. I'll have him ask around.
Also, grouse season comes in this Saturday and my daughter and SIL are going up to our place Sunday. He doesn't hunt, but is booked for a couple of days of musky fishing. I'll have him ask around.
Hoosier Setter
Fawn
- Sep 19, 2013
- 8
Hunted a county adjacent to Price a couple days ago. Flew a dozen or so woodcock, and twenty or more grouse in seven or so hours over an afternoon and evening hunt. Much better numbers than last season in the same county.
Timberdoodle
Fawn
Just back from Wisconsin, lots of birds. Grouse numbers back to the old days.
grouseguy
12 pointer
Tough hunting in the northwoods now. 6” of snow on Wed, then 3” more on Thursday ... a little melting then hard freeze Fri night ... dogs pads took a beating today.
Won’t be above freezing until next Wed.
Plenty of birds this year, but really tough conditions late this season.
Won’t be above freezing until next Wed.
Plenty of birds this year, but really tough conditions late this season.
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Deadbeat
6 pointer
I just got back Thursday, and like above, the snow made it hard hunting. We seen more coveys of birds than I have seen up there ever, but poor shooting a couple of days made the game bag rather light. I had good dog work but it was about a week and a half too late to hit the sweet spot when the leaves have just fell or are falling.
grouseguy
12 pointer
Getting packed to head back to KY tomorrow. I’ve been coming to WI since 1990 and owned a lake house up here since 2008 and this is the worst October weather I’ve ever experienced and it’s a damn shame because this was a good year for bird numbers.
However, for any of you guys with vacation left .... the weather is turning to near perfect conditions and there is 2 weeks before their gun deer season starts. Load up the dogs and guns and point the truck north for a good time.
However, for any of you guys with vacation left .... the weather is turning to near perfect conditions and there is 2 weeks before their gun deer season starts. Load up the dogs and guns and point the truck north for a good time.
grouseguy
12 pointer
Some photos from my WI trip... Deacon on point.
grouseguy
12 pointer
Kat on point:
grouseguy
12 pointer
... and a fluke surgical strike. This bird flushed right at me and I shot it straight overhead ... probably just a few feet off the gun barrel. I could pick up the head from where I shot ... the carcass landed about 15’ behind me.
