Repeat Ruffs

By Gary Adair

Although there are many who consider the ruffed grouse to be "King of the Uplands," those who don’t (myself included) still wouldn’t argue the merits of this challenging game bird.

Often referred to as elusive, evasive, nervous and sometimes, downright neurotic, the ruff will test even the most accomplished of gunners and dogs. However, there is more than one way to skin a cat -- uh bird...

As Cinnamon and Sage (my two Chesapeake Bay retrievers) worked methodically ahead of Jason (my buddy) and I, it was Cinnamon’s body language -- a low-slung head and cartwheeling tail that indicated to me a bird was near.

Sage confirmed the birds’ presence also, but before I could alert Jason to the dog’s discovery, a ruff exploded to my right and escaped unscathed. Despite the fact that nary a shot was fired, I was able to keep a line on the bird’s flight-path and knew it would only be a matter of minutes before we had the bird up once again. Like the old adage says, "If at first you don’t succeed, try again."

Although I am not the only grouse hunter to implement such a tactic (following-up on grouse flush after flush), I am surprised at the number of hunters in the woods who don’t. Grouse are tough birds to put in the game bag, especially in our part of the country, so why not put the odds in your favor?

Yes, watching for obstacles to avoid, paying close attention to the dogs, pulling thorns out of our body parts, and of course anticipating the flush are all routine elements to grouse hunting, but so is watching -- and listening to where the bird flies after the lead has missed it’s target. If anything, this is when the hunting gets easy -- or at least a little easier.

With Jason and I steadily manipulating our way through the briar-choked creek-bottom towards the direction the grouse flew, the dogs thoroughly scoured the area in search of the feathery prize. Approaching the edge of a not-so-used ATV trail, I gestured to Jason that the bird was on the other side.

While Sage was the first to encroach the area, it was Cinnamon who made olfactory contact as she quickly started making up ground on what appeared to be a runner. Keeping pace, I noticed she was heading for a series of deadfalls, at which point I stopped and firmly planted my feet.

While the grouse didn’t wait long enough for an introduction of the canine kind, he did present a shot and in a puff of feathers the grouse fell to the ground.

In order for ruffed grouse (or any game species for that matter) to make it from one day to the next, a thorough understanding of it’s environment is essential. From knowing where to find food and cover (nesting, loafing and escape) to having well devised escape routes -- survival is of utmost importance.

However, move (flush) a grouse into unfamiliar territory and the odds start to turn in the hunters’ favor. This is where repeat flushes (or re-flushes) pay huge dividends. Because ruffs occupy such a small area (under 10 acres as a rule) their escape routes are usually limited to only two planned routes -- three at best. Push a bird outside his environment and the chances are he will make a mistake...

Sage’s youthfulness showed with his hell bent attempt to reach the bird ahead his mother. Victorious (at least he thought so), he playfully, albeit unhurriedly retrieved the bird to hand. After a few customary ear rubs, head strokes and good girl and boy, we respectfully admired the beautiful male ruff and then headed on.

Consistently bagging a ruffed grouse involves more than good dog work and accomplished shot-gunning skills. It requires stick-to-itiveness, a lot of shoe leather and good hearing and eyesight to boot. Although the repeat (re-flush) tactic won’t guarantee limits, it might just increase the weight of your game bag.

And, with plenty of season still left -- January 10 in Pennsylvania and the end of February for Ohio (29) and West Virginia (28), you might as well get out there and give it a shot.