How and when to hunt hazel grouse?

How and when to hunt hazel grouse? Hunting, like fishing, is a very popular activity for many Russians. If you have shooting skills and enjoy delicious game meat, then you should definitely take part in trophy hunting trips. Hazel grouse hunting is permitted only from early fall until late winter.

The Putorana Plateau Taiga Nature Reserve offers the opportunity to combine both hobbies: ice fishing and hunting. But not for hazel grouse, but for more substantial trophies. The Spring Goose Hunting Tour is held annually. Many people from across the country and around the world have tested their skills on this exciting journey to the land of 1,000 lakes and waterfalls.

What kind of game is a hazel grouse?

This delicious bird is extremely popular with hunters worldwide. This is what it looks like:

• The hazel grouse got its name thanks to its variegated colouring, which includes greyish-red shades.
• This member of the chicken family is small in size and is considered miniature. A game bird can weigh up to 500 g.
• Hazel grouse live in pairs, which means that when hunting, there is a possibility of taking possession of two birds at once.

This game bird is most often found in dense spruce forests. Hazel grouse also love to roost on various slopes, especially where there's a body of water, stream, river, etc. nearby.

When is hunting for hazel grouse permitted?

Unlike the Putorana Plateau trophy tours, where hunting takes place in early spring, motley birds are only permitted to be hunted from autumn to winter. This is strictly prohibited in the spring, as the birds are busy with their young during this period.

Hunters take advantage of the fact that these birds fly in pairs, and decoys help increase their trophy haul. It's also worth noting that many trophy birds are shot after 9 a.m. Hazel grouse like to sleep longer, so hunting is best done during daylight hours.

How to hunt hazel grouse?

To hunt such game, a hunter must obtain a permit (a hunting license, a personal hunting license, etc.). Without these documents, a hunter may be prosecuted for poaching.

Hunting methods:

The following allow you to collect solid trophies of motley game:

• Snare or trap;
• Paddock;
• Drive;
• From the approach;
• With the participation of a faithful dog;
• Decoy, squeaker;
• Holes.

Silok

The snares method is especially popular among hunters. It's inexpensive and quite promising, as gunpowder, cartridges, and other shooting accessories are quite expensive.

From the approach

This method is quite simple. The hunter moves noisily through the forest and, when he spots startled hazel grouse, watches where they land. The rest is a matter of technique. Having crept up to a new location, he takes precise shots. It's important that the bird doesn't approach too close; he must shoot from 15-20 paces away.

By force or by detachment

This hunting method involves teamwork. One hunter remains in ambush, while the other hunter or hunters drive the prey to them. Beforehand, the hunters surround the birds and then drive them toward the ambush.

With dogs

The most effective way to shoot a large number of trophies. The main functions are performed by the hunter's faithful companions. The dog flushes the hazel grouse from its spot, and after a precise shot, it finds the fallen game and brings it back to its master.

With a decoy or a squeaker

In autumn, hazel grouse feed on various berries and seeds. In winter, the bird enjoys eating catkins and tree buds. These foods are easy to find in areas where these birds' food sources grow. To collect a large number of trophies, a hunter must be able to whistle like a male or female. They must also be able to set up an excellent ambush.

Briefly about the main thing

How and when to hunt hazel grouse? Hazel grouse hunting is a very exciting and interesting activity. As we've seen, it's quite straightforward, especially for experienced hunters. The methods are similar to those we discussed for goose hunting during our trophy tours on the Putorana Plateau.

The key is to be attentive and cautious, have the necessary permits, be a skilled marksman, and be cunning and dexterous. In these cases, your favorite hobby can yield plenty of trophy game. You can also prepare delicious delicacies, such as hazel grouse in sour cream with nuts and mushrooms.