Grouse populations

I think another big reason youre seeing an influx is people just dont hunt them anymore. Not many people have bird dogs and id say only half the people who do hunt.

I have been seeing more grouse lately than i have in years. I used to see plenty about 15 years ago when I would go to camp. The numbers aren't quite there but it seems like they are on the rebound.

Think it has anything to do with decreasing deer populations in many of those places, i.e. more ground cover & better habitat?  Not saying for sure that it does, but there could be a correlation there.

Sorry, P.I., maybe I should have phrased that better.  Certainly didn't mean to get into the debate of deer herd reduction, and especially deer in the ANF.  Haven't been a big fan of the herd reduction myself, but maybe we are seeing some benefits to it now.  Just wondering in general, across the state, if the reduction of the deer herd has benefitted other species as forests get a little healthier. 
 
Can't remember the last time I specifically hunted grouse - maybe 8 or 9 years ago??? Used to hunt grouse quite a bit in the Ligonier area when I was a teenager and in college - only ever got one in my life.  Probably a few around somewhere where I live now (southern Butler Co.), but I think I've seen two in the past 7 years while deer hunting. 
 
Been thinking about grouse hunting the last few weeks though, and maybe giving it a shot again here this fall.  Still have some old haunts up in the Ligonier area I used to hunt that I could hit up.  Lots of gamelands not to far away in northern Butler and Armstrong Co. that probably hold a few too. 

raquared, not need to say your sorry. I am not looking to get into a debate about the ANF deer herd either. Just wanted put it out there that I have been seeing more grouse the last few years in the ANF. Have not hunted grouse yet this year. Hope to do so the 1st sat of nov. The grouse are fun to hunt, but you have to put in the time, and get into the thick stuff, they don't come easy. I got a dog last year. She is 14 months old. She flushed a grouse back in late sept right behind camp, when I was there last. Hoping she can do it again.

After saturday, the grouse population dropped a little bit.

First off, the term bunnies is hilarious. Reminds me of my little niece.

I've noticed a ton of em in 2b.

Guess that's not mountains.

I was out for the last 2 hours yesterday and must have put out 20-24 grouse. It seemed like every step I took. Unfortunately I had my rifle instead of my shotgun. I haven't seen this many grouse since I first started hunting in the early 90's.

Yea Palmer does a good job.  I also send him a report, I keep track of all the flushes I encounter.  He has said for the last several years that the northwest section is the best grouse flushing rate in the state.  As per my prevous reply, you couldn't prove it by me.  I just just go for a walk with the dog, hoping she will stumble across one and she gets a point.  Can't hit them anyway but I love to train her.  With the shortage of grouse it has taken a lot of walken but she has gotten her first point.  This is my first bird dog and a day success is just getting a point.  As far as I am concerned, it beats hunting the stocked pheasants any day.