Grouse are down in Wisconsin

Have hunted grouse in northern Wisconsin for 58 years. Worst season ever. four-day hunt Six flushes first day. One the second day -none on the third day - fourth day put on 125 miles on the UTV looking for trail grouse, didn't see a thing. Got home and face book had to send a picture from two years ago -When we had 48 flushes then 37 the next year. Picture is what grouse hunting was in Wisconsin!

 

Love Wisconsin grouse hunting, ive been going there for past 8yrs.

 

Hot weather. Grouse didn’t want their feet on the ground. Leaves were on the trees forever it seemed

 

2026 update --DNR spring drumming report down another 12%

 

Haven't seen a grouse here in upstate NY for ages

 

Forty years ago I'd get 20 plus flushes every hunt, I don't think there are 20 grouse left in Ohio today.

 

Ruff grouse populations are cyclic.

 

There are here then they are gone. The grouse in Ohio have been in a down cycle for 40 years. Most small game in Ohio is in a down cycle. The Ohio DNR only cares about money they get from selling deer and turkey licenses, don't care at all about small game.

 

There are some articles on the internet attributing it to West Nile Virus.