Another sage grouse thread
- Thread starter sigpros
- Start date
KMO385
Active member
Shhhhhh........lol. I saw a few along the road in same area last on my way to hunt ruffs.
Wait!!! Ruffs AND sage?! What kind of beer do you like?
KMO385
Active member
Heck yeah! I actually went to look at Franchi instinct 20ga, and walked out with a Charles Daly 28ga side by side. Funny how that works.
Im heading to Wyoming this month for sagers, blues, and ruffs with alittle fly fishing mixed in. I cant wait. Good luck to you guys.
They had a 20 ga also that I was really tempted on. But man I just don’t hunt birds enough to warrant it. It was sweet though.
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And good luck to you also. Can’t wait to head out. Counting down the days. I love going to Wyoming
KMO385
Active member
I hear you, I was the same way until I got hooked on birds.
Well it’s getting almost Time to load the truck and head west. What shot size and choke do you guys recommend? I talked to a guy at the gun shop my son bought the Franchi at and he said sage grouse were big birds but he didn’t feel they were very tough. He thought a pheasant was a lot tougher bird
Shot size and choke is a loaded question (pun intended!).
5s or 6s and IC or Mod. All of those combinations have worked for me. I’ve used 12, 16 and 20 gauge. One of my son is on a 28 kick and will use it.
My set up this year will be 5s, IC and 12 gauge. I’m using 5s because I have a box of 5s. Son shoots 6s. I’ve shot over dogs and kicked up birds.
I don’t know if they’re necessary tough but they are big. A big male is 6-8 pounds. Most birds are going to be 3-4 pounds.
A few pics to get you motivated.
5s or 6s and IC or Mod. All of those combinations have worked for me. I’ve used 12, 16 and 20 gauge. One of my son is on a 28 kick and will use it.
My set up this year will be 5s, IC and 12 gauge. I’m using 5s because I have a box of 5s. Son shoots 6s. I’ve shot over dogs and kicked up birds.
I don’t know if they’re necessary tough but they are big. A big male is 6-8 pounds. Most birds are going to be 3-4 pounds.
A few pics to get you motivated.
TheGreek
Well-known member
I’ll be out in NW CO for the opener this Saturday.
El Jason
Well-known member
Hard to go wrong with this answer
KMO385
Active member
I use modified chokes maybe improved modified if there jumpy, and 6. My buddy used 5 shot and it worked fine. Like most grouse I've hunted they fairly easy to knock down, not easy as prairie chicken but not as hard as pheasants. Ive also heard guys using 7 1/2 too but I've never tried that.
We're getting ready to head out west as well, were trying for sagers, blues and ruffies as well as squeezing in some fly fishing too.
We will be doing some fishing but we will be taking ultra lights. And thanks for the choke info. I have an old 20ga O/U that is IMP over MOD I am seriously considering taking it because it is so light and handles well. I always shoot my BPS but the older I get the heavier the old girl gets. I need to make sure I have shells for everything. I do have a couple boxes of the golden phesant 7.5 I can through in also. I need to get my license and stamp bought. I guess we need a small game license and the sage grouse stamp?
Those pics defenitly have me motivated. Might be my last trip as a family so for me the wife and kids getting on some birds will be the reward for me. Can't wait to head that way
KMO385
Active member
Yes! The sage grouse stamp is newer addition, I believe its free however.
TheGreek
Well-known member
Opening morning limit here in NW CO!
I got on to purchase my license last night and it wouldn't let me select the sage grouse stamp. I was going to call tomorrow and see how to get it.
I’m trying to decide where to start looking for Sage grouse in Wyoming. I picked the town of Lyman to stay since we will get there late evening. This is our first trip out there. I just don’t know if I should go north from there or head south east. If anyone could help me out I would appreciate it. Thanks
El Jason
Well-known member
Find water and intermediate sage country (8-12” tall and 50% cover).
