Montana hosts three species of mountain grouse, Blue (Dusky Grouse), Ruffed, and Franklin's (Spruce Grouse). He is an avid small game, turkey, and whitetail hunter from northern Minnesota and loves managing habitat almost as much as hunting. A male Dusky Grouse blocked the Rock Creek Road while FWP wildlife biologist, Julie Golla, attempted to drive by during a survey for bighorn sheep. USA.) All rights reserved. Grouse hunting in the mountains of Montana is both exciting and inspiring (Don’t forget to look up and enjoy the incredible scenery every now and then!). Noms étrangers . Most dusky grouse hunting will take place at high elevations, so practice low oxygen hiking as much as you can before one of these hunts. ), martens, weasels, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, lynx, and even larger mammals may prey on the eggs, chicks, or adults throughout the year. Accessed at: https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01273. The dusky grouse primarily occupies the drier, interior (eastern) side of our Western mountain ranges, while the sooty grouse usually occurs on the moist, coastal (western) side. A couple times when hunting Dusky grouse I have encountered ruffed grouse also. But they can also be frustratingly hard to hunt because of their habits. Dusky grouse are considered forest grouse, but during different times of the year they utilize distinctly different habitat types. (Though to my tastes, the grouse tastes better than any of the three.) Montana has three species of mountain grouse: ruffed, dusky (blue) and spruce (Franklin’s). Males are a steely gray-blue, but during courtship they reveal orange eye combs and yellow-orange air sacs in the neck. 2018. Dusky grouse inhabit mountainous regions with high amounts of conifer trees. Usually areas where there’s a creek bed and dense cover you’ll find these birds. S3-E01: Straight Flush: Montana Mountain Grouse 21m Steven Rinella and his friend Ronny Boehme drive into the mountains of southwest Montana to hunt the high ridge tops for dusky grouse. Females are intricately camouflaged in brown, buff, and white. September 18, 2007. But their most noticeable feature while displaying for females is a red neck patch. The sage grouse is prevalent in the more flatland sage country Please review our use of cookies and accept to continue. Dusky Grouse, Gallo de las Rocosas Negro, Tetraz-azul, Schwarzenfelsengebirgshuhn, kék fajd, Blauwe Sneeuwhoen, Pernice blu, Blåjärpe, Blåjerpe, kupido … Accessed at: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/dusky-grouse, NatureServe. Grouse Up High. The dusky grouse may be somewhat threatened by climate change. That’s the Dusky Grouse — handsome, big and a bit dim. The dusky and sooty grouse, though very similar, can hybridize, but generally have selective breeding. Yes, there are pheasants and grouse in the river bottoms and the open land, as there are all over the state of Montana, but did you also know that the mountains are full of two separate species of grouse, both of which offer unique and exciting opportunities for the upland bird hunter? Douglas fir, subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine appear to be important tree species for winter survival. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy, Dusky Grouse – An Upland Game Bird Profile, Sooty Grouse – An Upland Game Bird Profile, How to Find Dusky Grouse – A Bird Hunting Guide, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dusky_Grouse/lifehistory, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22734690/0, http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/dusky-grouse. The prairie and breaks country are prime areas for sharp-tailed and sage grouse. Hunting. Abstract: Distribution of Dusky Grouse in Montana. Only the Sage Grouse is bigger. ©2020 Northwoods Collective. 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