Agreed Steve, and your interjection, "as long as they are within the law" is the crux of my argument against the very common practice of ground or tree swatting ruffed grouse. You know very well, as I do, that doing so from vehicles is, unfortunately, a common practice and this is why I will always speak out against "swatting" of any kind... because the folks who do it don't seem to think there is a difference. They believe that as long as they're bagging grouse, it doesn't make any difference how it is accomplished.

Grouse are a special bird. I think every bird I've seen taken, before it is slipped into the game bag, there is a quiet moment and a smoothing of the feathers

Yup, me too, and I am especially reverent of woodcock.

For over 40 years I have hunted the same trails in a designated 'State Ruffed Grouse Management Area'. I walk 6 to 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, with a 15-20 minute lunch break. I can repeat this process, for days on end, without so much as seeing a grouse. They are out there, indeed, but not always where I can see them. I hunt alone, without a dog, and rely on my sight and hearing to locate the birds. They certainly are a challenge! We have a large population of 'Road Warriors' here. I can honestly say that, MAYBE, twice per season I meet a hunter on foot, or on a small ORV (much to my chagrin!). My favorite was the mini van with the side door open and a 'shooter' watching the brush as they toodled by at a fast walking speed!

The ground swatters see grouse just as "meat". Grouse are deserving of so much more. I'm afraid I'll never be able to comprehend treating them so callously, traditions be damned.

Regarding the van guys - There is a special place in Hell for "Heater Hunters"

To some it is all about the '' get'' as in wad ya get. If you say 10 flushes 4 shots and 1bird they say to bad,better luck next time. Do not accept an invitation to hunt with them.Met a state trooper in Maine he was patrolling log road and asked how i was doing. Told me he got 15 first week of october. I asked if he had to get out of the cruiser for any of the shots.I guess thats why i have a hard time making new friends.

Ground sluicing partridge is common practice in northern Maine and Downeast. In the rest of the state one must wing shoot ruffed grouse, they are almost a different species given their extreme wariness. The ground sluicers aren't using classic doubles;-)

Are they not just birds, or are the mythical ? Some folks just plain like eating them. I happen to agree with the sentiment here that they do deserve respect, like all animals. But if folks just want them for the "pot" that's fine to.

Yes, to a lot of us they are somewhat mythical. Not so much that they "deserve more" but rather they, like all other game animals and game birds, deserve a sporting chance from whom we hope are good sports and gentlemen (and ladies). Maybe it's just about respect for the quarry. It rather surprises me that the oafs who ground swat them wouldn't just as soon toss them over the rail into the hog pen as to bother to prepare them for the dining table.

Sorry if I offended some folks' sensibilities with my humble opinion.