Subject: Re: Spruce Grouse in Washington:
Date: Oct 21 00:08:28 1998
From: "S. Downes" - sdownes at u.washington.edu


Tweets,
Twice now I have spent weekends in the area of FS 39, in early-mid
September in 1997 and in mid-late September this year (Audubon fieldtrip).
Last year I had 2 males in one day on the Freezeout Ridge trail, this year
2 males, 1 female 3/4 mile north of Tiffany Springs, group of 5 (1 adult
female, 2 imm. female, 2 imm. male) just south of Freezeout Ridge on FS
39. In both all experiences the grouse were extremely easy to approach.
As for hunting I would argue that yes I'm sure Hunters take many Spruce
Grouse every year, most probably within 1/4 of a road system as hunters
are fond of driving a way, quick check and continuing on. When growing up
many of my family members including my dad would love to hunt Blue and
Ruffed Grouse (Ruffed isn't bad eating either), but usually as a side
activity to other hunting, scouting or exploring during the season. For
this reason through scouring for grouse was not done, if you saw a grouse
they had their gun with them and they fired. So while it might seem cruel
to hunt an animal that does not move much (yes, probably not much sport)
they cannot be that many taken each year or sooner or later population
would start to decrease and I have seen no references anywhere to declines
in Spruce Grouse populations in Washington, if I'm wrong I'd love to hear
about it.
As for distribution I am pleased to have learned that Spruce Grouse might
be fairly widely dispersed in proper habitat in the middle washington
Cascades, i.e. Yakima, Chelan, Kittitas counties. Up until this year I had
always thought of Spruce Grouse just barely coming into the cascades with
their main population and trickling numbers showing up elsewhere including
possibly the Blues and Olmypics? It makes me wonder where exactly the
cutoff line for Spruce Grouse habitation is. Does the possibility of
Spruce Grouse exist all through the Washington (and Oregon?) Cascades if
the proper habitat is there? I'd love to hear comments on data that people
have as to the range limits.
Thanks,

Scott Downes
sdownes at u.washington.edu
Seattle WA