2025 Dusky Grouse Report

[COrookie]

Hey gang, the date is Sept. 4th, I've only gone out once so far in a new area and hunted around 9.8k feet. Area was along the front range and it is a new spot for me so I haven't learned where the coveys like to be. Pretty sure I was too low for that specific spot and I didn't get into any birds. Might drive the extra hour and go to one of my better spots tomorrow.

I'll also be hitting up the Steamboat area during the weekend which I've also never hunted. I'm excited about that.

Just curious how everyone else is doing. I know we're still very early in the season, but if you've gone out let me know how it went and share pics. If you plan on going out later, come back and let me know how it went.

 

[TheGreek]

You should be able to find them around steamboat in the NF. Start low and go higher.

 

[COrookie]

Season finally took an excellent turn. Was able to bag out and have some field to table dinner with the family. Wild grouse with a raspberry walnut vinaigrette and berry salad.

Will probably head out thursday morning to a place nearby I've seen birds but haven't shot any. Hopefully get a couple more.

 

[AMR]

I'm just dipping my toes back into the hunting world since I was a kid and am taking my kiddos along on the journey. I've taken my boy out a few days now, but have yet to bag a grouse. Any recommendations/pointers you're willing to share? I'd love to help my kiddo bag a grouse this season. Thanks!

 

[TheGreek]

I'm just dipping my toes back into the hunting world since I was a kid and am taking my kiddos along on the journey. I've taken my boy out a few days now, but have yet to bag a grouse. Any recommendations/pointers you're willing to share? I'd love to help my kiddo bag a grouse this season. Thanks!

This time of year they are starting to move higher.

 

[Bullshot]

I'm just dipping my toes back into the hunting world since I was a kid and am taking my kiddos along on the journey. I've taken my boy out a few days now, but have yet to bag a grouse. Any recommendations/pointers you're willing to share? I'd love to help my kiddo bag a grouse this season. Thanks!

Lowbush blueberry cover or similar under pines, even better with residual berries still attached, flat gravelly and rocky areas with scattered pines, downslope edges of benches, regen growth areas of young-ish pine. Areas along closed logging roads that zigzag up slopes can be good. A gravelly substrate with moderate sunlight exposure seems to be a common thread where I personally see lots of grouse. Avoid thick blowdown and deep dark mature timber or swampy areas. Eye up every stump, isolated boulder, and log for grousy looking silhouettes. Look relatively higher rather than lower in the landscape. As with all hunting, your results may vary!

 

[ammo]

I'm just dipping my toes back into the hunting world since I was a kid and am taking my kiddos along on the journey. I've taken my boy out a few days now, but have yet to bag a grouse. Any recommendations/pointers you're willing to share? I'd love to help my kiddo bag a grouse this season. Thanks!

I have been grouse hunting nearly every weekend I can! Limited out a few weekends ago. They are currently between 10k-10500 rn, though if you're further south in the sangres, NM, or spanish peaks they are higher (11k). In N colorado you'll find them in drainages with water and a mix of open and dark timber on N/NE/NW facing slopes. They like varied terrain (eg not just pure dark timber). You may find some in the dark stuff but the coveys are generally in timber that has a mix of open, steepish with an escape route.

They are not easy to find in the front range, much easier to locate over the divide.

 

[shrapnel]

Got a booner with the 28 gauge…

 

[AMR]

I appreicate the pointers!

 

[COrookie]

I'm just dipping my toes back into the hunting world since I was a kid and am taking my kiddos along on the journey. I've taken my boy out a few days now, but have yet to bag a grouse. Any recommendations/pointers you're willing to share? I'd love to help my kiddo bag a grouse this season. Thanks!

They are up higher this time of year but what everyone else said is pretty spot on. Here are some pics of habitat to look for.


This is not an exhaustive list of photos but elevation is about 9.8 and is moderate steep meadows and thick forest with plenty of vaccinium understory. Nearby is a very steep section that provides excellent escape options for the birds.