Preferred Parker Reproduction Options

[MD*GSP]

Sorry in advance for the long winded post..

Admittedly, I have never hunted Ruffed Grouse as I have been addicted to the “Western” world of bird dogs and upland hunting since first exposure.

Pastures, prairies, farmland, the vast wide open - that sort of thing.

I could easily become addicted to hunting the devil bird out west, very easily.

This is a frustrating thing living on the east coast & I do my fair share of daydreaming now that Quail are practically non-existent. Woodcock are a blast during migration but it's short lived and spotty at best.

Oddly enough the notion of “sliding down shale mountains and trying not to die” is appealing as the most gratifying hunts are quite often the most brutal and hard earned as well, a fact not lost on me.

Tom's descript of “Chukar hunting with trees” perked my ears right on up & Gary's tales along with other comments have me in a bit of a fervor.

Age has taught me that the weight of the game bag is of little importance but c’mon..some success every now and again is nice.

Walking along logging roads for easy pickings is not my style.

I’ve read about and have watched several videos that highlight a certain behavior in Ruffed Grouse which demonstrates that they sometimes bond themselves to a human all friendly and whatnot.

Have even read about RG that will tag along w/a fella’ walking through the woods & that it’s not uncommon for them to make a daily appearance to see what the goings ons are around peoples homes etc.

Say little ol’ Ralph the Ruff tags along and just really wants to be part of the gang - what am I supposed to do? Give poor little Ralph both barrels and blast him into kingdom come??

I mean,” Oh..hi Ralph” ~ BAM..dammit..BAM!!

..so long little Ralph the Ruff who just wants to be all social and whatnot

Is it just me?

Something tells me Ralph would become my pal - Kansas (my dog) does not agree at all..am I a fraud and do I need to turn in my man card?

Poor Ralph

[Dean Romig]

Ruffed Grouse that want to befriend people really need to be removed from the gene pool or before long whole regions are affected by the dilemma of hunters feeling bad or guilty about even toting a Parker into their habitat. . . .


(where's that 'tongue-in-cheek' emoticon?)






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[Woodcock survey]

Remind's me of a grouse about 30 years ago that would come to call. Took a state trooper to see him. When i called '' come here bird'' he reached to his belt and unsnapped his cuff's.Called again and he edged over closer to me,just then the grouse could be seen walking rapidly toward us. He strutted around the cruiser pecked the hub caps and acted like we were suspicious characters. My life long hunting partner said he was getting ready to take me for 30 days observation in the mental hospital before the bird appeared.

[Gary Laudermilch]

It is all a ploy to get you to go hunting them and then they get their revenge.

[Woodcock survey]

Got sidetracked. Spoke to a biologist friend about that bird and before i could finish the story he told me it was a male probably in spring and it was a show of dominance in his territory.Happens year round but during the fall is usually fatal.

[C.O.B.]

Ralph the Ruff will be all friendly and nice until October comes around then he'll lead your dog and therefore you on a merry chase through brambles, dense popple stands and thorn scrub before the dog has a chance to point him. Then just as you think you know which direction he'll flush he goes the other way laughing his ruff off.

Every Grouse is a trophy. Come to the U.P. and I'll show you