Among his many other humorous habits, Jerome "Curly" Howard occasionally liked to look at the sky in the "Three Stooges" comedies and say, "Look at the grouse." If you want to be like Curly, you can either shave your head or head to Alaska to bag some of these interesting game birds.
The 49th state claims a few different grouse species, including:
· Blue grouse, which can become as large as 3.5 pounds. According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (DF&G), these birds enjoy a diet of hemlock and spruce needles during the winter months. In the spring, the males are able to hoot with the help of a yellow air sac.
· The ruffed grouse, a bird that enjoys a diet that includes blueberries, aspen buds and cranberries.
· Known for their short, pointed tail and wings with white spots, the sharp-tailed grouse can be found in the Yukon River Valley.
Bagging each type of grouse requires good timing and the right technique. Alaska's DF&G recommends going after the hooting blue grouse males in April and May. For the spruce grouse hunter, heading to Alaska in September or October is the best choice.
According to Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, a grouse hunter needs a shotgun, boots and some blaze-orange clothing; target practice and a sense of humor don't hurt, either. To keep from grousing when hunting for grouse, invest in a Mountain Hardwear Dragon Jacket. This sturdy piece of gear comes in a bright yellow-orange color called "Tiger" and can help you deal with the cold Alaskan weather.
Sources:
www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/bird/grouse.php
www.wnrmag.com/stories/1997/oct97/grouse.htm
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