I know it's still early but I'm not seeing nearly as many grouse as I usually see.  I've been out in the tree stand several evenings over the past few weeks and I usually see a lot more grouse.  I know they just started swinging down on the cycle, but numbers should still be pretty good.  Anybody else seeing birds?  I'm in Taylor County, WI.

Looks like I will have some free time the week of 12/26.  Anyone seeing any birds?  I thought I was out of luck for this season, but the stars aligned for a few days out chasing winter grouse. 

I've had great luck in past seasons during the winter, as birds seem to congregate near conifer stands in and around thick popple.  My feeling is this may be one of that last "peaks" before the population starts to cycle down.

You guys in Taylor county Wisconsin... how is the snow depth in the woods?  That seems to be the biggest deterrent to me.  Once the snow reaches my belt buckle, its time to hang it up. 

Thanks for the updates!  My buddy cancelled on me because his kid is only 13 y/o and short.  Guess he didn't want to lose him in the drifts.  I called the sportshop in Phillips, and he said they have about 18" on the ground, but it was nice and powdery.  I think they had a little less in that area before this last round of snow earlier in the week.

I'll give it a shot in the Clark Co forest this weekend, on borrowed snowshoes.  We've had good luck finding them in pines around Christmas in the past.  The challenge is deep snow this time of year, as if grouse hunting isn't tough enough...

Merry Christmas!  If anyone is in the neighborhood (Clark/Taylor counties) and wants a workout... shoot me a post.

Hunted around Thorp yesterday in the deep snow.  It was a workout, indeed.  We managed to take 3 birds.  I didn't get to see it, but 3 birds flushed from the snow right next to 2 of the guys that were with me.  The birds are out there if you can get to them!  Their crops are stuffed with aspen buds and catkins.  Amazing birds!

The county forest is basically inaccesable by truck... either plowed in or groomed for snow machines. We hunted the back 40 and another family plot nearby.  A few hours in snow over your knees is enough anyway.  I was just glad to be out and see some grouse!

Anybody been out for grouse in Wisconsin lately?  I'm trying to put together a quick trip before the holidays, but all my hunting buddies are tied down with pre-Holiday commitments.

In the past, I've had great success after the gun deer season in Wisconsin.  It seems like the woods really calm down, grouse bunch up in clusters and the hunting pressure dies off with the holidays approaching.  My best hunts have been in December in years with light snow cover, before the deep stuff ends the season before the calendar does.  Nothing like flushing grouse from snow drifts!

Let me know what you think...and if you plan to get out for the elusive winter grouse.