That is a one year old male sage grouse. They get bigger.
They are in small flocks, post sentries and outliers and take off fast like any grouse. They will fly for a mile or so before settling back down.
You don't want to be undergunned but because the typical sage grouse hunt day is 8 to 10 miles of walking in rolling terrain you don't want to be lugging a heavy gun either. You need to be able to make a 40 yard or more kill shot because they can absorb lead, set their wings and drift for hundreds of yards . By that time a golden eagle could be on the bird and they will not back off for a dog or you.
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