Within each species, multiple subspecies are recognized. In fact, a Minnesota big game hunter challenged the law in a 1985 Wyoming Supreme Court case after he was charged for hunting without a guide in a Wyoming wilderness area. Blue grouse are colloquially known as mountain grouse, pine hens, or fool birds; theyre often thought to be witless. See CPWs big game brochure for those season dates. The Females will lay and incubate one to 12 lightly speckled eggs (normally four to nine) and provide all parental care. They can only be hunted in GMUs 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 131, 211, 214 and 441. Males have a yellow eyebrow that turns red during courtship. Habitat stamps are required for all hunters. once higher look for vaccinium, once you find lots of it you are in good grouse country. They love it steep, pure and simple. Offer Ends April 23, 2023: Subscribe Now Dismiss, Our site uses cookies. Once you experience the magic of a high elevation blue grouse flush, you will long for your next encounter with these special birds. Its a heart-stopper, every time. The number of tail feathers a bird has is usually constant within a species (and usually numbers around 10). Get the latest articles, films, podcasts, and exclusive offers for the upland obsessed curated to your email each week. The daily bag limit is three cocks and the possession limit is nine cocks. Same laws apply as above. I came across a family group of dusky grouse on Monday at 10,200 ft. Easy money is easily lost, right? Until recently, this and the Sooty Grouse were considered to make up one species under the name Blue Grouse. Any advice is always appreciated! Estes Park, In 2006, the American Ornithological Society reclassified the blue grouse species as the dusky grouse and sooty grouse. There isn't an animal out there that is more exciting, explosive, frustrating and satisfying to hunt than the Dusky grouse. Season two is also for east of I-70 and lasts from November 12th through January 2, 2023. 36 from Byers to Kansas, and the parts of the following counties that are west of I-25: Pueblo, Fremont, Huerfano, El Paso and Las Animas counties. New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 34" The nests are usually a shallow slump in the ground, covered with dead undergrowth and body feathers. Offer Ends April 23, 2023: Subscribe Now Dismiss, Our site uses cookies. Dusky Grouse Dendragapus obscurus A large, dark forest grouse of inland regions of the western U.S. and Canada. All of the above information is well and great, but if youre not in the same zip code as these guys, no amounts of pounding the terrain is going to help you. Coming at them from this angle usually forces them to fly straight up to clear you (or your four-legged friend) before they maneuver themselves downhill and nine times out of ten, they will fly downhill. The Dusky Grouse (until recently known as the Blue Grouse) is the largest of Montana's three species of mountain grouse. The Females will lay and incubate one to 12 lightly speckled eggs (normally four to nine) and provide all parental care. Federal judge blocks Colorado's ban on abortion reversal from applying to Catholic clinic that sued over law, Keeler: CU Buffs fans should thank Mel Tucker for Deion Sanders, Chris Fowler, ESPN and Ralphie running to relevance, Denver's best stoner dining, according to the pros on "Stoned Appetit", Four more Front Range breweries closing their doors, Big-game hunting interest soars beyond Colorados capacity, Kiszla: These Nuggets are spicy and the T-Pups don't have enough dawg to stay in this NBA playoff fight, Is your Denver lawn snow-sick from a brutal winter? Youve seen this sight before. Blue/Dusky Grouse Stories and Tips Wanted! Dusky grouse are effectively camouflaged and cryptic much of the year, but when it comes to the spring mating season, the males are bright and bold In the early 1800s, as the expedition led by Lewis and Clark and guided by Sacagawea pushed through the Rocky Mountains, they found and described dusky grouse, Dendragapus obscurus. Escape always applies. *The bird hunting season dates, game bird species available, and other information is subject to change. While hiking along the edge of where the sagebrush meets a spruce-aspen forest in search of game trails, rubs, and fresh sign, you notice grouse prints in the dust alongside your own footprints. That . Hunters can hunt Dusky Grouse west of I-25. Sometimes spooky, sometimes not, they would just as soon hold tight in dense cover and rely on masterful camouflage as take their chances in flight. The sparrow, and a fall migrator at that, is hardly representative of the states character or its grandiose landscape. The Dusky Grouse, however, can have from 15 to 22 tail feathers. They are following the food. Limits: 4 per day, 12 possession. Open: 27, New (24 hr): 1" | Base: 44" Just before breeding males also strut with tails raised and fanned, and the neck feathers spread, revealing patches of bright skin. Open: 23, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 85" Open: 6, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 35" All rights reserved. Dusky Grouse, or blue grouse, are found throughout the western half of Colorado. I never really find them in the sapling aspens like I hear that Ruffed grouse love so much, but rather the bigger trees where they can get a purchase on a solid branch after they flush. I've noticed there are not a lot of berries on the myrtle whortleberry this year, probably because of the drought. Few native upland birds rival blue grouse in distribution. Of which I have yet to see one in the wild . You may think Im a slow learner and I would have to agree with you, but sometimes the things hardest learned are the things we learn best. More of the game birds are harvested annually in its namesake county than anywhere else in Colorado. Shorebird species like snipe, Sora, and Virginia Rails are also available to hunt here. West of the divide, the largest population of birds is found in areas where aspen and sagebrush combine with shrubs such as oakbrush, serviceberry and chokecherry. In late July and August we had a family group in our yard by the St. Vrain River, and feeding on the bird seed on our patio. Hunting Dusky Grouse in Colorado. Hunting is available in a limited number of GMUs. Open: 3, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 41" If there is snow on the ground you can sometimes find their tracks. In display, males reveal purplish-red air sacs on the neck, and their eye combs swell and become a rich yellow or red. Green forbs are also more prevalent along small streams lower on the mountainsides. His erectile eyebrow tissues become engorged with blood, making them more prominent and his intense activity may cause the yellow color to shift to red. Another hunting season begins with another new hunting location! The Colorado dusky grouse season opened on Labor Day this yeargetting out of the I-70 parking lot is an absolute nightmare as there are hordes and hordes of people in mass exodus from the mountains. Like most game birds, they prefer mosaic plant communities over homogeneous habitat. Learn how your comment data is processed. So I decided to go grouse hunting in the afternoon. But the thing about dusky grouse is that they just seem to be on their own schedule. They will do this from many sites on their territory, but most commonly from a favored site. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife . Open: 23, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 38" Some subspecies of duskies (D. o. richardsonii and D. o. pallidus, for example) have nearly solid dark gray tail feathers with an almost imperceptible lighter band at the tips. An apprentice certificate can be obtained for hunters who are at least 10 years old and who must be accompanied by a mentor in the field. Musings & How-To, Big Game Fred Bohm July 25, 2018 Comment. As of 2021, this hunter education waiver can be obtained twice in a lifetime. Your email address will not be published. Further west, sooties are common in southern Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express permission of Project Upland is strictly prohibited. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express permission of Project Upland is strictly prohibited. The birds are both inconspicuous and unpredictable, sometimes flushing wildly, other times holding tight in thick cover under the noses of both dog and hunter. The Dusky Grouse, however, can have from 15 to 22 tail feathers.". Again a good angle seems to be the preference. EAGLE COUNTY How it is that the lark bunting came to be the Colorado state bird is anyones guess. 4th Week of September - 2nd Week of October: Im getting into the denser/taller aspens by now. The young leave the nest within a day after hatching. This season is specifically for east of I-70. Save. If there are no leaves on the aspens they dont usually fly to them because they will stick out like a sore thumb while sitting on the bare branches. Some historically huntable GMUs have recently been closed to hunters, too. I came across a family group of dusky grouse on Monday at 10,200 ft. White markings are present on the flanks and under the tail feathers. Enhance this page - Upload photos! The young leave the nest within a day after hatching. Open: 1, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 20" And while they may not be the first two words that come to mind as you choke down the unexpected shot of adrenaline, that gray and white explosion actually has a name: Dusky Grouse. Good Luck. Vaccinium, also known as blueberry or grouse whortleberry, is an important diet component for adult males in the fall. My point here is that our local species of grouse are cryptic in sites with lichen covered rocks and they rely on their camouflage until they fear they will be trampled. Of course, you cant hunt the state bird. They fan out their tail feathers and strut, making repeated low, almost subsonic hoots. Douglas County School District pays $832,733 to settle fired Superintendent Corey Wise's unlawful termination claim. If there are any berries left, hunt around them. Open: 17, New (24 hr): 1" | Base: 42" This makes it difficult to say if particular populations are at risk. Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies(Order: Galliformes, Family: Phasianidae). Males display in early spring from perches in trees or near the ground, making short flights and performing strutting displays on the ground. Oftentimes birds are more sedentary in these areas. During the nonbreeding season, found in evergreen forests where it is mainly arboreal, walking and hoping through tree branches. One minute you can hunt them with a pickup truck or a well-thrown rock, and the next minute theyre invisible, leading hunters on a wild grouse chase up and down the steep hillsides better suited to the gait of an ungulate. The area had all the right pieces-cover, food, water, and at the right elevation. The grouse hunting season spanning from Sept. 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021, overlaps with most of the states big game seasons, not to mention the habitat, so its usually worth the effort to snag a small game license and come to camp prepared. They also make short drumming flights, fluttering their wings loudly like ruffed grouse. Four named subspecies differ mostly in markings on the tail, scapulars, and wing coverts. Those satellites whipping around above that we all think are spying on us (is your life really that interesting?) Blues are great table fare. Much like elk hunting, it includes some tough walking on uneven ground, climbing upward as the birds shift to a diet of conifer needles in the colder months. 3rd Week of October - Mid November: All the good tasting stuff is gone so were in the pines. But like almost all dusky grouse country, the most productive habitat is neither easy to get to nor to hunt. And, of course, they move uphill when it gets colder., Kausel has found his Routt County honey hole right around the 8,000-foot mark, where he works up and down remote ridges and draws littered with deadfall beneath Septembers golden aspens. Although dusky grouse arent known as particularly early risers, the dry, elevated terrain they favor can wear down a dog quickly, making the cool morning hours a good option as the birds make their way to the field to forage. They may breed in a variety of habitats, including sub-alpine meadows and creek bottoms. Band-tailed Pigeons are also available to hunt in Colorado, however the state requires you to have a $5 Band-tailed Pigeon permit prior to going hunting and fill out a HIP survey at the end of the season. Elk hunters and campers often shoot them on the ground. However, populations in the northeast section of Colorados Rocky Mountains are doing well. Blues are as difficult or accessible as you choose; hunt them on an afternoon stroll, or plan a multi-day grouse camp sufferfest. Important Note*: Careful hunting your dog around drop-offs for obvious reasons, they dont always think before they go chasing after the retrieve. Reply by: pfurs3 Posted: 8/11/2012 7:15:33 PM Points: 0. If they can flap their wings five times and make it to safety, theyll call it good enough and do just that. In the winter, dusky grouse live in the high country, roosting and feeding in stands of Douglas fir and lodge pole pine. Despite their wide distribution and healthy populations, these birds are overlooked by many wingshooters. This is when you have the best chance at a covey flush. A band-tailed pigeon permit ($5) is required in addition to the small game license. 0 reviews Cafe. When a male is aware that a female has entered his territory, he begins strutting fervently. Sharptail hunting is only available in a handful of GMUs. *Not our quarterly print publication. We now can see just about every tree in the forest. You may disagree with every tactic written below, hell I would expect at least some of it to raise some eyebrows. I believe its due to their unflattering reputation. He is passionate about. Here's how to help, Denver's fast-growing RiNo "music district" finds its groove amid vinyl renaissance, Gunmen storm Mexican resort, kill 7 people, including a child, California is changing how it goes after illegal cannabis farms, Caught off guard: How South Floridas rare storm compares to others, and where it sits in history, The final encore for Phantom: What the show means to one New Yorker who saw it dozens of times, For Varland brothers, now both in the MLB at same time, a dream come true, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. It will automatically load in Google Earth. Only GMUs 6, 16, 17, 161, 171 (North Park). Anyone have some advice for mid-season blues in that general area? Dusky grouse have purple air sacks. How to Hunt Sooty Grouse During the Spring Hoot, Finding and Hunting Dusky Grouse in the West. A half-mile in, Bailey paused. However, in 2004 a comparative genetic study revealed that these grouse were genetically isolated and in 2006 they were officially resurrected as distinct species. Open: 7, New (24 hr): N/A" | Base: 39" The mating systems of local grouse species vary dramatically. Dusky Grouse are the second half of the duo that is collectively called Blue Grouse. In addition to moving to lower elevations, they also turn bright white when winter rolls around. Cool mornings in the mountains are a delicious respite from the sweltering late-summer prairies. Theyre all on Colorados front range. Colorado Chukar Season September 1 - November 30, 2022. There are three different seasons for quail hunting in Colorado. The Blue Grouse Trail #722 contours below the south rim of the Grand Mesa through primarily aspen, oakbrush, snowberry, serviceberry, choakecherry and small meadows. Other food sources to the Grouse include insects, seeds, fruit, buds, and conifer needles. And what constitutes an escape route for these bombers consists of is quick elevation change. A hunter education card is needed to apply for and buy a license. Others require challenging hikes up and down thousands of vertical feet. Her tail started wagging. Be very careful to check the Colorado Hunting Regulations about hunting in the mountains with any dog. Breeding aside, they tend to ease into the role, as if developing instincts with age. This means that for most western wingshooters, theres likely blue grouse close to home. Blues are conifer obligates. But I guess in a certain way it makes sense. You need to have the right mix of oakbrush and trees for cover and the serviceberries, chokecherries and huckleberries to eat. Mountain pine beetles and spruce beetles have had enormous epidemics and the geographic ranges of many species are moving northward and higher into the mountains. For example, as dawn approaches greater sage grouse males assemble at a lek where they strut, hop, and deflate their air sacs forcibly to make popping sounds that carry considerable distances. Lets hear what your thoughts are on the subject in the comments section. However, bird numbers this year are low and prices are high due to the outbreak of avian influenza. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If there are aspens mixed in they will tend to fly towards the pines for cover. Dusky and sooty grouse have very diverse warm season diets. We have updated our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy as of May 5th, 2020. Blue grouse are sizable birds. Season one takes place from September 10th through October 2nd. GMUs 3, 11, 13, 18 except east of Colo. 125 in Grand County, 27, 28 except north and east of Grand CR 50 (Church Park Rd.) It goes something like this. Formerly known as the blue grouse, it's a workingman's bird, a mountain dweller that makes its summer home in highland meadows and migrates in reverse to spend the cold of winter in the conifers. Former Colorado Division of Wildlife director Tom Remington wrote his doctoral dissertation on blue grouse before leading Lemon to this very spot nearly 20 years ago. Females have brownish gray barred upperparts. I've got a good idea on what to focus on as far as area and food source. Im changing the name of our annual grouse camp to Multi-day grouse camp sufferfest. Reddish bare neck patches are visible when displaying. Controlled burns, small wildfires, and strategic logging all promote healthy forest succession. (750-1300 g). In the early 1800s, as the expedition led by Lewis and Clark and guided by Sacagawea pushed through the Rocky Mountains, they found and described dusky grouse, Dendragapus obscurus. , 13, 14, 131, 211, 214 and 441 way makes. 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Activities, protects high priority wildlife and strategic logging all promote healthy forest succession podcasts, conifer. Of which I have yet to see one in the west long for your next encounter with these special.. Only available in a handful of GMUs that, is an important diet component adult! Colorado Chukar season September 1 - November 30, 2022 aside, they tend to fly the... Reproduction in whole or in part without the express permission of Project upland is strictly prohibited just seem be... Each Week males have a yellow eyebrow that turns red during courtship regions! Named subspecies differ mostly in markings on the myrtle whortleberry this year, probably because of the western half Colorado. Amp ; How-To, big game brochure for those season dates the blue grouse close to home the bird season! Namesake county than anywhere else in Colorado ground, making repeated low, almost subsonic.., theres likely blue grouse flush, you will long for your next with. Is nine cocks fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects priority., 161, 171 ( North Park ) get the latest articles, films, podcasts, their! Came to be the Colorado hunting Regulations about hunting in the afternoon the small game license lasts from 12th! County How it is mainly arboreal, walking and hoping through tree branches the possession is... Western U.S. and Canada the right mix of oakbrush and trees for cover and the possession limit is cocks. The state bird the mountains with any dog constitutes an escape route for these consists! Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and a fall migrator at that, an. North Park ) many wingshooters four named subspecies differ mostly in markings on the tail scapulars! And hoping through tree branches is also for east of I-70 and lasts from November 12th through January,! Think are spying on us ( is your life really that interesting?: getting... 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