New Jersey Grouse season

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

When my wife and I were looking for a house we wanted a minimum 2 acre lot. The realtor asked us to consider a listing on a house with 1 1/4 acres. Not expecting much, we went to see it anyway. The rear of the property was lightly wooded, and on a hillside. As the seller and I walked the property line we flushed a grouse. The deal was done within minutes. That was 29 years ago, and I've seen only 4 or 5 other grouse in New Jersey SGL's during the following 29 hunting seasons.

[Randy Roberts]

Back in 1996 I purchased some hunting land here in Southeastern IN. Initially it was quite common to see and hear grouse, actually I would use the term abundant. Turkey hunting in the Spring I would always hear numerous birds drumming with sightings from the deer stand being the norm. I can recall many a morning when I passed the time watching birds through my binoculars. Currently I cannot recall the last time I saw or heard a bird but it would surely be some 10 years or so ago, sad for certain.