Ruffed Grouse

[heavuser]

Stupid question, can I hunt Ruffed Grouse in Stewart State Forest?

I bumped 3 yesterday and found out what they were today, now I want to eat them.

[Versatile_Hunter]

3 minutes ago, heavuser said:

Stupid question, can I hunt Ruffed Grouse in Stewart State Forest?

I bumped 3 yesterday and found out what they were today, now I want to eat them.

You sure they weren’t hen pheasants? But the answer is yes, if in fact there’s grouse. 

[heavuser]

41 minutes ago, Versatile_Hunter said:

You sure they weren’t hen pheasants? But the answer is yes, if in fact there’s grouse. 

 

25 minutes ago, blackbeltbill said:

Look- if those were Ruffed Grouse at Stewart- show me the spot and,I will personally  guide you and call in a big May Gobbler!!

  Seriously- they were probably  Hen Pheasants. I have not seen a Ruffed Grouse in Orange County for close to 10 years.

Let's go with Hen Pheasants, I didn't realize they were so similar in color\size. 

I take it Hen Pheasants spook the same way Grouse do, you have to be right on them before they fly 20-30yrds away?

 

edit: Is shooting a hen pheasant a nono?

Edited December 31, 2021 by heavuser

[Shoots100]

In high pressure areas , Grouse will be gone before you even get close to them.

They wouldn't land 30 yards away either, they'd be in Sullivan county.

I've seen a few grouse in orange county, but not on public land and I wouldn't shoot one, unless I was starving.

Pheasant is good tasting, so go out and get some dinner.

 

 

[Versatile_Hunter]

44 minutes ago, heavuser said:

 

Let's go with Hen Pheasants, I didn't realize they were so similar in color\size. 

I take it Hen Pheasants spook the same way Grouse do, you have to be right on them before they fly 20-30yrds away?

 

edit: Is shooting a hen pheasant a nono?

Pheasants in NY are mostly pen raised and stocked. No restriction on sex at Sterling. 
https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29453.html

[WNYTRPR]

I feel like half this site hunts at Stewart ?this place that good or way over hunted ?

[heavuser]

11 minutes ago, WNYTRPR said:

I feel like half this site hunts at Stewart ?this place that good or way over hunted ?

I can walk into it from my backyard. 

Convenience. 

 

Edit: Also tons of pressure. Have to go deep in to find signs of life.

Edited December 31, 2021 by heavuser

[WNYTRPR]

1 minute ago, heavuser said:

I can walk into it from my backyard. 

Convenience. 

That is very convenient