Grouse Hunting

[njp158]

I'm not quite ready for Grouse season to end and I have been thinking about a grouse trip to North Carolina as you can hunt there until the end of February, specifically Allegheny County. Anybody grouse hunt in this vicinity this year? What kind of flush rates did you have? Trying to decide if it's worth the drive down. I don't expect 30 flushes a day but 5-10 would make it worth my while.

[carolinabirdhunter]

I think you would have better success west of Asheville. A guy I hunt with had 5 flushes this past Saturday near Waynesville. However, there are some large tracts of gamelands in the area that you mentioned but I haven't gotten any reports from that part of the state. Good Luck!

[wolfcreeknc]

I Haven't been out grouse hunting yet this year but past experiences have always been better north and west of Asheville. Ash county has had good numbers but not much gamelands. I did see a good amount of birds west of Asheville this summer so the hatch was probably a good one.
Rugged country, lots of boot leather required.
Best of luck!
Wolf

[sjohn]

I know you are talking grouse hunting and I used to grouse hunt in PA. Now I live in SC and have only ever seen one. I chase woodcock instead. Are there any woodcock hunters in NC?

[esetter]

We woodcock hunt a little over here in Tennessee. Didn't do too good the times I went and its over now.

[sjohn]

We have had our best start to a season. However, this cold cold snap may push the birds through our area. My buddy and I flushed 120 birds this year and harvested 54. Have not been out since returning to work in Jan 2nd. Birds may be gone but we have until Jan 31. they often come back.

What type of cover/habitat do you hunt?

[wolfcreeknc]

I can't say I have ever gone Woodcock hunting but occasionally we jump on when out grouse hunting. There is a good NC hunting and fishing website and there has been a lot of chatter lately about woodcock. Here is a link:
https://www.nchuntandfish.com/forums/
Cheers,
Wolf

[carolinabirdhunter]

I know you are talking grouse hunting and I used to grouse hunt in PA. Now I live in SC and have only ever seen one. I chase woodcock instead. Are there any woodcock hunters in NC?

If you are on Facebook, check out NC Bird Hunters. There are plenty of woodcock hunters.