There are two kinds of hunting: ordinary hunting, and ruffed-grouse hunting.
~ Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac
It begins with those first chilly nights in August. Then the days shorten noticeably and the angle of the light is different. My favorite time of year is now very near.
Following are dates for the grouse and woodcock seasons for Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as survey information.
See you in the woods!
Minnesota
Ruffed Grouse Sat., Sept. 19, 2009 – Sun., Jan. 3, 2010
Woodcock Sat., Sept. 19, 2009 – Mon., Nov. 2, 2009
For information on the 2009 spring grouse surveys, visit:
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/hunting/grouse/grouse_survey_report09.pdf
Wisconsin
Ruffed Grouse, Zone A Sat., Sept. 12, 2009 – Sun., Jan. 31, 2010
Ruffed Grouse, Zone B Sat., Oct. 17, 2009 – Tue., Dec. 8, 2009
Woodcock Sat., Sept. 19, 2009 – Mon., Nov. 2, 2009
For state zone map, visit: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/hunt/grouse/Zones.pdf
For ruffed grouse drumming survey, visit: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/harvest/reports/09finaldrum.pdf
For 10-week brood observation, visit: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/harvest/reports/tenwkbrood08.pdf