Minnesota offers some of the best grouse hunting opportunities in the country. Ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse can be found across much of the state, especially in the aspen parklands and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests of central and northern Minnesota. With proper preparation and by targeting the right locations and habitat types, Minnesota hunters can greatly increase their chances of bagging grouse. This article will provide an overview of the key factors for successful grouse hunting in Minnesota and highlight some of the top public hunting areas to target these elusive birds.
Understanding Grouse Behavior and Habitat Preferences
To find and hunt grouse successfully, it’s important to understand their behavior patterns and habitat preferences throughout the year. During spring and summer, grouse live in more open upland areas and forest edges where they can find food and nesting cover. In fall and winter, they shift to spending most of their time in dense, young aspen forests that provide shelter from the elements and predators. Their movements between these seasonal habitats make hunting them challenging.
Ruffed grouse prefer disturbed forests with a mix of Aspen, birch, oak, and brushy cover. They are most abundant in the transition zone between boreal forest and deciduous forest. Sharp-tailed grouse thrive in more open country with scattered brush and shrubs. They are often found around small grain fields adjacent to brushlands. Knowing these habitat associations will help hunters select the most promising coverts to target.
Where to Find Grouse in Minnesota
While ruffed grouse can be found statewide and sharp-tails occur in the western third of Minnesota, some regions consistently hold higher populations and produce more birds for hunters. Here are some of the top public lands to target in different parts of the state:
Northwest Minnesota
The northwest region features large public hunting areas with prime sharp-tail habitat. Top destinations include:
– Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge: Over 61,000 acres of prairie, wetlands and brushy cover close to Thief River Falls.
– Roseau River WMA: Nearly 27,000 acres open to hunting near Roseau with a mix of fields, scattered brush and woodlands.
– Thief Lake WMA: Extensive sharp-tail range close to Thief River Falls. Features over 26,000 acres of rolling oak brush country and fields.
North Central Minnesota
From parklands to big woods, there are ample public lands holding ruffed grouse in central Minnesota. Prime spots include:
– Chippewa National Forest: Over 666,000 acres of excellent grouse habitat scattered across Cass, Itasca and Beltrami counties. Features Aspen forests and oak savannas.
– Huntersville State Forest: Located between Park Rapids and Itasca State Park, this 90,000+ acre forest has high ruffed grouse densities.
– Paul Bunyan State Forest: Covering over 155,000 acres north of Bemidji, this state forest has productive cuts that hold lots of grouse.
Northeast Minnesota
The more heavily forested northeast corner of the state offers some of the best ruffed grouse hunting thanks to extensive county, state and national forests. Top picks are:
– Superior National Forest: Huge swaths of prime grouse range scattered across Cook, Lake and Saint Louis counties. Over 3 million total acres.
– Cloquet Valley State Forest: One of the most productive ruffed grouse forests in the state at over 92,000 acres, located northwest of Duluth.
– Finland State Forest: Located between Isabella and Finland, this 85,000 acre forest sees excellent grouse reproduction and offers accessible hunting.
Central Minnesota
With its mix of brushlands, Aspen stands and oak forests, Central Minnesota reliably produces good numbers of ruffed grouse on public land. Hunters should focus on:
– Carlos Avery WMA: Extensive forest north of the Twin Cities metro near Wyoming. Features over 35,000 acres of prime grouse cover.
– Rum River State Forest: Sprawling 164,000 acre forest situated north of the Twin Cities with young forest cuts that concentrate grouse.
– Fort Ripley WMA: Situated west of Little Falls, this 23,000 acre wildlife area has rolling oak ridges and Aspen forests holding grouse.
Southeast Minnesota
While ruffed grouse densities are lower here than farther north, there are still ample opportunities in the blufflands and ridges of Southeast Minnesota. Look to:
– Whitewater WMA: Over 25,000 acres of oak forest and maple basswood habitats productive for grouse near Elba.
– Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest: Excellent grouse cover on over 30,000 acres between Weaver and Kellogg.
– Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park: These adjoining state parks offer 14,000 acres of wooded rolling hills and valleys holding grouse.
Southwest Minnesota
Sharp-tailed grouse can be found in the open brush and prairie habitats of Southwest Minnesota. Focus efforts on:
– Lac Qui Parle WMA: Extensive fields, wetlands, and brushy cover attracting sharp-tails across over 18,000 acres near Watson.
– Talcot Lake WMA: Nearly 15,000 acres of prime sharp-tail range near Walnut Grove and Lake Benton.
– Heron Lake WMA: Wetlands, grasslands and brushlands harboring sharp-tails across 20,000+ acres north of Heron Lake.
Best Times to Hunt Grouse
While grouse seasons in Minnesota generally run from mid-September through January, there are certain times that offer the highest success rates:
– Early October: Grouse are still scattered on summer range and hunting can be good near forest edges and openings.
– Mid-October: The fall shuffle moves birds to denser Aspen cover making for challenging hunting.
– Late October/Early November: After a few hard frosts, grouse start spending more time feeding in oak and birch forests, offering good shot opportunities.
– Mid-November: As more leaves drop, grouse are easier to spot and shoot in the more open woods. Pressure can be intense on public land though.
– December: Hunting pressure decreases significantly. Grouse hold tighter to conifer shelter but can be found on south facing slopes on sunny days.
Generally, the last 2 weeks of October and through the first half of November provide the most consistent action. Watch weather forecasts and time hunts for when high pressure systems bring bluebird days after a period of gloomy fall rains.
Hunting Methods and Tactics
To achieve consistent success hunting ruffed and sharp-tailed grouse in Minnesota, hunters should utilize proven hunting strategies:
– **Walk forest roads and trails:** Slowly covering gravel roads and trails through public forests allows hunters to stop and work hot spots and likely coverts. Routes should form loops to avoid backtracking.
– **Use a compass:** Having a compass handy allows hunters to venture away from trails into promising looking habitats and still maintain their bearings.
– **Target feeding and loafing areas:** Focus efforts near stands of birch, Aspen, oak or hazel brush that provide food. Also hunt loafing cover like dense pines and cedars.
– **Follow your dog:** If hunting with a good grouse dog, let them quarter back and forth searching for bird scent and follow up on positive points.
– **Play it safe:** Grouse will often flush well ahead of hunters crashing through the woods. Move slowly and pause frequently to scan and listen for nearby birds.
– **Take practice shots:** If hunting areas holding a lot of birds, take some practice shots on flushing grouse to sharpen your wingshooting skills before honing in on a limit.
Shotguns and Loads
The erratic, diving nature of grouse in flight demands specialized equipment:
– **Shotgun:** Open choked 20 or 12 gauge shotgun for quick shooting in tight cover.
– **Shells:** Light target loads (ex. 7/8oz #7.5-8 shot) allow for dense, even shot patterns.
– **Sights:** Improved cylinder or open choke paired with a smooth swinging, vent rib barrel.
– **Clothing:** Brush pants/chaps and long sleeves help protect from dense cover. Blaze orange required.
Where to Get Birds Mounted
For hunters fortunate enough to bag a limit of grouse or a trophy sharp-tail, preserving that memory through a quality bird mount can be rewarding. Some top rated taxidermy studios in Minnesota include:
| Taxidermy Studio | Location |
|---|---|
| Northwoods Taxidermy | Menahga |
| Forest Taxidermy | Remer |
| Minnesota School of Taxidermy | Brainerd |
| Crafted Wildlife Studio | Pine City |
| White Tail Taxidermy | Owatonna |
When contacting studios, ask about turnaround times and pricing. Full body mounts fully capture the beauty of an adult sharp-tail but are more expensive. Simple shoulder mounts work well for brightly colored ruffed grouse.
Conclusion
For hunters seeking challenging, rewarding bird hunting opportunities, Minnesota’s public lands offer vast acres of prime grouse habitat. By utilizing scouting, weather forecasts, dog work and smart hunting strategies, grouse hunters can experience steady success across northern and central Minnesota. With populations still decent but possibly declining, there’s no better time than now to pursue these wily upland birds. Just be sure to match your tactics to the season and employ patience and persistence at each location. Your next flushing cackle rocket could be waiting in the Aspens ahead.
