Anyone seeing any Grouse this year?

I've been out twice in the Mountain Loop and Sky drainages and have yet to find a single bird. I thought it would be game on yesterday with the little rain we had the day before, but no dice. I know they are where you find them, but come on. I seem to see birds whenever I'm not hunting, so maybe I should leave the shotgun at home!

Stupid birds > Stupid man.

I've only seen three after three trips exploring new ground. I'm way east of you, but I've stomped around the areas you're hunting. North of Lake Rossi held a few. Might be worth a look.

Thanks Erik. I know that area pretty well, but haven't hunted it before. I hope to check it out this weekend.

Myass...I know its tough to do, but maybe leave the pups at home if they are jumping birds early? Are you seeing more birds still higher up or are they starting to spread out a bit?

Nick,

The grouse in and around my cabin area have been virtually nonexistent through the first two weekends. D and I have only seen one, where normally we'd have 8 -12 by now.

I've found grouse to be very cyclical, and this appears to be a down year, at least on the dry side.

Ike

Pard and I used to take the horses into the high country in September to cache necessities before returning to chase big mulies. There was a minuscule spring seep in the draw below camp. If the weather had been dry for a long spell, the grouse would flock into the treetops surrounding that seep every evening, dropping in for a drink before roosting up for the night.

Grocery shopping....

There isn't much better table fare than blueberry-finished bandtail done up in a crock pot.

BB mentioned that to me and that sucks - but I'm still coming over to hunt anyway! I just talked with Toff and he found birds camping last weekend and came home with a hilarious story to boot. Deer camp work on Saturday, but we may hit the hills on Sunday. Shrooms should be POPPIN' with all this rain.

Thanks for the tips gents.