Sooty (Blue) Grouse

Description: This forest-dwelling coastal grouse was formerly known as the blue grouse until it was recognized as its own individual species. There are several possible subspecies. It’s significantly larger than other forest grouse and slightly darker than their interior cousins. The male is blue-gray with a white rear, a dark gray-brown underside and wings, and a dark grayish-black tail with gray tips. It has a yellow-orange comb above the eyes and white feathers covering a featherless bright orange-red patch on either side of its neck. Its neck sacs inflate during courtship. The female is a mottled gray-and-brown with mottled white, brown, and gray coloring 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: Sooty grouse are found in conifer forests in the coastal 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 move back to lower elevations in late winter to breed. They feed late in the day, eating 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. While usually solitary, sometimes small groups can be found in thick cover taking shelter. The population is thought to be stable and densely concentrated.

Hunting: Hunters search for grouse in sparsely wooded areas with Douglas fir trees. As 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.