Vast expanses of public land stretch to the horizon. Amongst soaring views, the verdant habitat holds plenty of birds. They test a wingshooter's aim and a bird dog’s mettle, but only a few venture afield in their pursuit. Those that do enjoy the camaraderie of adventure in wild landscapes and a fabulous meal after the hunt.
It sounds like a tale of bygone days, but the most overlooked game birds on the continent offer these opportunities in the here and now. It’s surprising that blue grouse hunting isn’t more popular. Few traveling hunters pursue them at all. While they draw the attention of local hunters, most only pursue them a few times a year. In fact, blue grouse are more likely to be taken by opportunistic elk hunters or campers than they are by wingshooters with dogs.
Blue Grouse Biology Blue grouse are scattered across a huge range, spanning the mountains of the western United States and Canada. They were once considered a single species, but in 2006 biologists split them into sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus) and dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus). Genetically diverse subspecies are recognized in both groups.
Sooty grouse live in the coastal mountains of the Pacific Northwest, with their populations extending down to central California and up to Alaska. Similar in appearance and behavior, dusky grouse occupy the heart of the Rocky Mountains, extending down to the desert Southwest and up into western Canada. The two species are most easily differentiated during the spring, when males display.
Male dusky grouse ‘hoot’ with purplish air sacs on the side of their necks, while sooty grouse have yellowish air sacs. Males of both species have steel gray breasts and dark gray backs and tails. Females are somewhat more mottled. The tail fans of both species are rimmed with a pale gray band, except for several subspecies of dusky grouse which have almost solid gray tail-feathers. They are one of the largest grouse species in North America, second only to sage grouse. Males weigh in only slightly smaller than a rooster pheasant.
Blue Grouse Habitat Amongst western hunters, both species are often still called blue grouse. Regardless of which you pursue, you are likely to find them in similar habitat. Blues are conifer obligates. They eat all sorts of berries, greens, and insects during the warm months, but blue grouse spend the long mountain winters subsisting on low-calorie but abundant conifer needles. The mountains of the west are largely blanketed in evergreens, so trees aren’t a billboard for good grouse habitat. A more detailed examination of forest age and composition is necessary to identify good hunting spots.
Blue grouse are especially fond of fir needles. They are typically found in association with old growth fir trees, but like most game birds, blue grouse shun homogeneous habitat. Mixed groves that include tight, insulating spruce trees are the best target. It’s also important to look for patchworks of forest with small meadow openings, logging cuts, burn areas, or deciduous trees like aspen or alder.
Blue grouse utilize an impressive vertical range. They commonly move to lower meadows or riparian areas at the base of mountains during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons. As summer brings insects to the higher elevations, hens lead their young up to ridgetop glades. Males usually make the vertical migration sooner, often moving all the way up to the subalpine zone below rocky peaks before hunting season.
Population mobility varies, depending on the resources available that year, habitat diversity, and weather. It is usually best to focus on higher elevation zones where birds will spend the winter. You might miss some of the young birds, but you are more likely to find big, impressive males.
Hunting Strategies Although blue grouse hunting isn’t necessarily difficult, it also isn’t a casual stroll. Even the most accessible covers are high enough to tax a flatlander’s lungs and knees. More demanding spots require miles of mountain hiking. Because you (and your dog) have a finite amount of energy, plan how to best spend it.
High meadows or ridgetops that drop off to steep slopes are a great place to start. Walk along the edges of conifer glades, paying close attention to wet springs or small creeks. If you aren’t finding birds, try dropping a little lower onto steep, forested slopes. Sometimes blue grouse will move away from grassy glades and deeper into the timber, although they are usually a stone’s throw away from a meadow margin. Even if you don’t find birds, molted feathers and fresh droppings will tell you if you are in a promising zone. Pay close attention to aspect and elevation, as you will probably find birds in similar areas on nearby landforms.
Unlike most upland birds, it is common to see blue grouse on the ground before they flush. Try to position yourself on the downhill side, as blue grouse will likely flush that direction, providing you with a fun, overhead crossing shot. Grouse also like to fly up into the high boughs of a tree. While some hunters will shoot them off of a limb, wingshooters can toss a stick into the tree, then try a quick snap shot if the bird flushes.
Dogs and Gear Hunting blue grouse with a dog is rewarding, but questionable from a practical standpoint. Blue grouse often hold very tight for a hunter. Unpressured birds can be so tolerant that some consider them too foolish for a sporting hunt. However, they are likely to wild flush in front of your dog. Because of this skittishness, a well-trained, close-working flusher is a great fit for blue grouse hunting. A careful pointing dog can also provide an entertaining hunt. Blue grouse season is the driest part of the year in the mountains, bringing challenging scenting conditions. If your dog seems ‘birdy’, allow them plenty of time to work an area before moving on.
Any shotgun will work for blue grouse, but a svelte sub-gauge is ideal. Blue grouse offer challenging downslope dives and treetop barnburners, but they aren’t difficult to bring down if you hit them. Low velocity 1 oz loads of 7 ½ to 5 shot provide plenty of firepower, and will save your shoulder for the next flush. Bows and rimfire rifles are also allowed in most states.
A modern strap vest is a great addition to your kit, as it allows you to carry a full day’s supplies away from your vehicle. A daypack can work well too, provided it is large enough to accommodate a limit of grouse. Stock your bag with extra food, an insulating jacket, and a waterproof layer to guard against unexpected weather. A personal locator beacon and firestarter are also prudent, as is bear spray or a sidearm. Some blue grouse covers have lots of water sources, but make sure you have a small filter and several liters in your bag just in case. The closer quarters of blue grouse woods makes wearing orange prudent, even where it isn’t required. A dog bell is a good safety precaution as well.
Many blue grouse covers are accessible from well-maintained Forest Service roads, but a high clearance 4WD or ATV will expand your options for day trips into the mountains. Good old-fashioned hiking is the best way to find secret covers untouched by other hunters.
Have a cooler in your vehicle to keep birds from spoiling on warm mountain afternoons. Blue grouse are delicious and versatile. Whether you carefully hang, pluck and roast your prize or pan-fry easy breaded grouse strips, they are one of the most delicious game birds.
Blue Grouse Conservation Blue grouse are usually found singly or in small groups. Broods can still accompany hens during the hunting season, but it is uncommon to find more than a half dozen together. Because most covers have only a few birds, it is prudent to harvest a bird or two and move on, especially in areas that receive more hunting pressure. Most states don't monitor blue grouse populations, so hunters must self-regulate if they want healthy populations to persist in their favorite covers.
On a larger scale, blue grouse populations are considered secure throughout much of their range, but some isolated mountain ranges in Arizona and New Mexico have experienced declines due to large wildfires. Science-based forestry, wildfire control, and grazing management are important factors in preserving blue grouse for future generations.
