Tweeters,

First Russell Rogers, then Don Baccus, now me; have we arrived at the
sure-fire technique to locate Spruce Grouse?

Now I know why Denny Granstrand missed Spruce Grouse for so many years. He
refuses to stoop in uncompromising situations beneath spruce trees; instead
he insists on hiding in one of those hideous smelly contraptions called an
outhouse when nature calls. Personally, I'll take the uncompromising
situation anytime. Indeed, I had almost the exact same experience as
Russell at the junctions of Road 39 and the road east over Lone Frank Pass
in the Okanogan Highlands a few years back. Mention of pooping in the
forest and Spruce Grouse walking up to observers happened to me too!!!. No
lie. Ask Susan!!!

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA

----------
> From: Don Baccus <dhogaza at pacifier.com>
> To: rrogers at halcyon.com; Tweeters <TWEETERS at u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: Spruce Grouse in Wash State?
> Date: Wednesday, October 21, 1998 5:44 AM
>
> At 10:52 PM 10/20/98 -0700, Russell Rogers wrote:
>
> > When you heed to the call of nature and find your
> >self in a compromising position behind a Spruce tree, ankles firmly
bound
> >by garments that cover your midlands, take a moment to look up. Chances
> >are there will be a Spruce Grouse checking you out. I have seen the
> >aforementioned bird no less than three times using this method. On one
> >occasion a male actually came over and pecked at the end of my boot.
>
> You know, I'm amazed at this story for the simple reason that it's
exactly
> how I saw my first blue grouse many years ago! Except, in my case, it
was
> a mom and chicks in the Jefferson Wilderness (central Oregon) meandering
> around my ankles, clueless as to the fate that was about to (forgive me,
> this is a true story) fall upon them.
>
> Hmmm...the same trick works up north for spruce grouse, I'll have to
remember that

> - Don Baccus, Portland OR <dhogaza at pacifier.com>
> Nature photos, on-line guides, and other goodies at
> http://donb.photo.net