Dusky (Blue) Grouse

Description: This forest and interior-dwelling grouse was formerly known as the blue grouse until it was recognized as its own individual species. There are several possible subspecies. These birds are significantly larger than other forest grouse and slightly lighter than their coastal cousins. The male is blue-gray with a dark gray-brown underside and wings, a white rear, and a dark grayish-black tail with a gray tip. It has a yellow-orange comb above the eyes, white feathers covering a featherless bright orange-red patch on either side of the neck, and neck sacs which inflate during courtship. The female is a mottled gray-and-brown with mottled white, brown, and gray on its head, neck, and wings. Both males and females have feathers on their legs and feet down to their toes. Average size of males: 19-23 inches. Average weight of males: 2 ½-3 pounds. Average size of females: 17-20 inches. Average weight of females: 1 ½-2 pounds.

Science: Dusky grouse are found in conifer forests in the interior mountain regions of the western United States and Canada at elevations from 8000 to 12,000 feet. They move to higher elevations in the winter, then travel back to lower elevations in late winter and spring to breed. While sometimes small groups can be found taking shelter in thick cover, they are usually solitary and feed late in the day. They eat the needles, buds, seeds and twigs of conifers. In the summer, they will also eat the leaves and berries of elderberry, snowberry, and other bushes. The densely-concentrated population is thought to be stable.

Hunting: Hunters search for grouse in sparsely wooded areas with Douglas fir trees. As the birds tend to concentrate at one elevation, once they are found they can be hunted at that same level. Pointing or close-working flushing dogs work well, as these birds tend to hold very tight. The eating quality is excellent: the meat is white and mild-tasting.