Brute’s Bleat by Harold Brutlag – Sept. 2023

When I was younger this was the time of year to think seriously about ruffed grouse hunting. There’s too much foliage on the trees right now, but you can get yourself and your dog excited when you flush a bird off the trail even if you don’t see the grouse. The numbers are supposed to be up, based on the spring drumming count, and just walking in the woods early in the season can be rewarding. This year’s grouse hatch can be vulnerable early in the season before they’re subject to hunter’s volley of shots and if you’re lucky, or a seasoned grouse hunter, you can get a meal of what’s considered the finest of upland game. The season lasts up to the first of next year.

The ruffed grouse is a medium-sized, fowl-like game bird best known for its courtship displays and thunderous takeoffs. It is distinguished by the dark ruff-like feathers on the neck region. The broad tail is marked with a prominent dark band near the end.

Woodcock hunting is from Sept. 23 to Nov. 6th. Woodcocks are generally found in the same habitat as ruffed grouse.

Check out DNR’s searchable directory of hunter walking trails. These trails provide comparatively easy access to grouse and woodcock areas, winding their way through Wildlife management areas and sometimes connecting with state forests and other public hunting lands.

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Don Dittburner showed me his limit of Walleye along with some huge Crappies. He was using artifical bait and said the crappies came out of water about 50 ft. deep. He said Rush Lake is attracting a lot of anglers this time of the year and I can see why when he showed me his stringer of fish. Locally Maple Lake seems to be attracting fishermen, and I suspect they are catching panfish and crappies as well as bass.

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