Ruffed Grouse Strutting This Time Of Year?

[shrapnel]

I never saw this until this fall and now I have seen 2 Ruffed Grouse strutting in the fall…

 

[Hunting Wife]

Fall displays are generally more of a territorial display rather than a breeding display. Signaling territorial occupancy to young dispersing males.

 

[Ben Lamb]

This behavior can be seen in most bars in Bozeman as well.

 

[Birdbander]

This behavior can be seen in most bars in Bozeman as well.

Probably with the same success rate as that grouse.

When I go to the North Maine Woods in the fall grouse hunting I see them strutting quite often.

 

[Sask hunter]

Yes those ones are extra easy to shoot lol

 

[Bulldog0156]

Did you try shooting it to see if it stopped?

 

[Oak]

Fall displays are generally more of a territorial display rather than a breeding display. Signaling territorial occupancy to young dispersing males.

Believe it also happens around the time when the photoperiod is the same length as the spring season. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.

 

[Bonasababy]

Likely territorial. Some grouse have the natural territorial instinct run amuck...but this time of year young birds are dispersing and bumping into established birds while looking for a territory of their own....

 

[Hunting Wife]

Believe it also happens around the time when the photoperiod is the same length as the spring season. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.

Could be something to that. Sharptails will come back and gather at lek sites again in the fall. The males will do a little dancing, but much less fighting. Seems more social. They kind of meet up, then just stick together into their big winter flocks.

 

[Jnasa]

I’ve seen blue grouse do it while bear hunting early September. I can’t recap seeing a ruffed grouse donut this time of year.

 

[Steelsearchin]

I can tell ya if you shoot his girlfriend(s) first they rarely break strut.

 

[Hem]

I have seen them strut this early.
It almost seemed like the bird was agitated I was in its space. Most times they run or flush.

 

[mtmiller]

Believe it also happens around the time when the photoperiod is the same length as the spring season. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.

FWP just contacted me today as they are coming to my neck of the "woods" to check out leks for spring trapping. I want to help, but the elk are going crazy as well.

 

[Bonasababy]

I’ve seen blue grouse do it while bear hunting early September. I can’t recap seeing a ruffed grouse donut this time of year.

Seen it many times. Snuck in to drummers a few times but never was able to get a good shot...their logs are in tight cover and their escape routes are well established.

 

[mn taxidermist]

Believe it also happens around the time when the photoperiod is the same length as the spring season. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.

I believe you're right about the photoperiod being the same length as breeding season. I see lots of roosters strutting in the fall and there are always 1-5 hens around watching. I've learned to look for the hens before shooting the rooster because he won't pay any attention to me

 

[sigpros]

I never saw this until this fall and now I have seen 2 Ruffed Grouse strutting in the fall…



View attachment 387148

Man that is a fantastic pic!