One of the most popular types of game is hazel grouse. Despite the small weight of the bird, only about 500 grams, fishermen actively harvest this trophy, regardless of the season. In summer, it is customary to shoot hazel grouse from the approach, but in winter, hunting tactics will be somewhat different.
In this article we will look at what features of bird behavior in winter should be taken into account when going hunting, and we will also pay attention to the selection of weapons and the choice of acceptable tactics for catching this game.
Hunting hazel grouse in winter
Hunting for hazel grouse in winter has its own characteristics, which should definitely be taken into account when going fishing. At the same time, many hunters prefer to hunt this game in the summer, and completely stop hunting in the fall. However, knowing the habits of the bird, hunting can be continued even with the onset of cold weather (Figure 1).
First of all, you need to know where hazel grouse prefer to live in winter. At this time, birds settle mainly near small streams or in river valleys, and both single individuals and entire flocks can be found.
Note: Hazel grouse always spend the winter in the main region of their habitat, and in the cold season they feed mainly on the buds and catkins of trees.
When hunting hazel grouse, you need to be as attentive as possible and carefully inspect the area. This is due to the fact that with the arrival of cold weather, birds spend most of the day under snow cover. To hide from predators and protect themselves from frost, they dig small passages under the snow and only come out of hiding to search for food. Hazel grouse have one more feature: in most cases, when getting out of a hole, the bird does not take off immediately, but first takes several steps in the snow. Knowing this feature, you can set up an ambush and shoot several individuals at once. However, remember that in severe frost the birds will not spend much time outside the shelter, and feeding will only last about half an hour.
Figure 1. Grouse can be hunted year-round
The most difficult thing in this fishery is to find the place where the game lives. To do this, you need to carefully examine the sides of forest roads, forest edges, clearings or clearing areas, since hazel grouse prefer to settle in such places. The piles of droppings that the flock leaves behind will help determine that the birds are in a certain place. But these features vary depending on the region. For example, in Siberia, birds prefer to winter not only in the same place, but also in the same flocks.
Who is a hazel grouse?
A novice industrialist who decides to go hunting for hazel grouse in August or September should get more information about the behavioral characteristics of the bird, because the success of the event itself, in particular, depends on this.
This amazing creature got its self-explanatory name thanks to the variegated color of its feathers. The bird primarily lives in Asia and Europe. Wherever the hazel grouse is, it always blends in with its surroundings with great success, thanks to its unusual and sophisticated color. This makes trying to find it in the forest incredibly difficult.
The bird's diet is dominated by various vegetation, berries and insects. The hazel grouse prefers to lead a sedentary lifestyle and does not migrate anywhere when cold weather sets in.
Most often, birds can be found in spruce forests, where black alder and birch are also found. Quite often it catches the eye of a person in large villages where there is a lot of coniferous vegetation. It prefers to settle in damp forest areas, for example, along the shores of lakes and swamps or at river mouths. If you decide to find a hazel grouse in a thicket where there is no hint of any body of water, then you are simply wasting your time.
The character and habits of hazel grouse in winter
According to the generally accepted classification, hazel grouse belongs to the grouse family, and is the smallest representative of the species. There is one more feature that is characteristic of hazel grouse: unlike wood grouse or black grouse, in which the male individual is very different from the female in appearance, hazel grouse do not have such striking differences. The females of the herd are no different from the males and are painted in the same inconspicuous color (Figure 2).
Note: The size of hazel grouse is only slightly larger than ordinary city pigeons, and its inconspicuous color makes it much more difficult to track game. But, knowing the preferences and habits, you can easily get a trophy.
This species is characterized by black and red striped plumage. There is a small crest on the head that rises when frightened, and this feature is characteristic of both females and males. There are white stripes along the edge of the entire plumage, which make the hazel grouse very beautiful.
Figure 2. Bird habits in winter
These birds have one interesting feature: they lead a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, and after arriving at the intended feeding site, they remain there for a long time until the food runs out. Birds prefer to settle in dense thickets of coniferous forests, along river banks or in deep ravines. The sedentary nature of birds is also expressed in the fact that they fly very little and cannot rise to great heights, but at the same time their small size allows them to easily maneuver in dense thickets of trees or bushes.
Such flight characteristics have led to the fact that hazel grouse move mainly on the ground, and here they make their nests, camouflaging them in hollows, under tree trunks or clusters of branches. In addition, this game is extremely cautious and timid, so it can be difficult for an inexperienced hunter to get close to it.
Hunting in autumn
This time of year is considered the most successful for hunting hazel grouse. What is the basis for such words? In autumn, female birds are less shy and more open to meeting the stronger half of the feathered society, and the decoy imitates the squeak of a male, which attracts individuals of the opposite sex from all over the area.
There are some rules that will allow a novice hunter to correctly attract a hazel grouse in the autumn:
- You should choose a calm and clear day for hunting. If it rains while the decoy is operating, this will significantly reduce the range of the device due to the fact that sound waves will hit obstacles in the form of raindrops.
- You should start attracting hazel grouse early in the morning. After 3-4 hours of hunting, you should take a lull at lunchtime and go out in the evening, closer to 5-6 o’clock. This is the time when flocks of birds fly out for morning and evening meals. During the day, they prefer to hide from the heat in the shade of trees.
- It is worth going around the “feeder” site in advance and giving several decoy signals from different points. This is done in order to find a good location for the electric bait, as well as to take a more suitable position for shooting.
Also, you should not overuse the device’s sounds too frequently, as the bird may suspect something is wrong and not respond to the call at all.
Features of winter hunting
Despite the fact that the hazel grouse carcass is small, and its weight is no more than half a kilogram, many hunters during the snowy season prefer to hunt this particular game because of the high taste properties of the meat (Figure 3).
Note: In the past, the population of these birds was so large that carcasses were caught on a commercial scale and even shipped abroad. Nowadays this hunting is also popular, but is more of a sporting nature.
According to legal norms, such game can be shot from the end of summer until the end of winter, although in some regions with small populations, hunting ends as early as December 31.
The peculiarities of the behavior of hazel grouse in the cold season also explain the specific tactics of winter hunting:
- In cold weather, birds prefer to live in holes under the snow. You can find them along the banks of rivers and streams, in forest clearings or forest edges.
- Hazel grouse are extremely reluctant to fly, so the easiest way to catch them is in the holes, but at the first powder, while the individuals have not yet hidden under the snow, they also practice hunting from the approach.
- You can also hunt for game with the help of dogs, which will help you find the habitat of the species by smell. But in this case, it should be taken into account that the dog must be trained on a certain type of bird and not be distracted by other smells in the forest.
Figure 3. Features of winter fishing
Since winter fishing, in particular the hunting of hazel grouse, involves long walks through the forest and well-aimed shooting, it makes sense to dwell in more detail on the equipment of the hunter himself.
When is the best time to hunt?
Of course, over a long period of hunting this bird, hunters have come up with many methods that are effective in their own way. But the most popular of them is hunting hazel grouse with a decoy, due to its high efficiency and fun with minimal effort. It is this method of hunting that we will consider below.
It should immediately be noted that despite the fact that hunting hazel grouse with decoy is quite effective, it requires a lot of skills and experience. The success of hunting with decoys directly depends on several factors:
- hunter's experience and behavior;
- weather;
- ability to use a decoy;
- Times of Day.
For example, in windy and cold weather the hazel grouse is very bad at decoying, but on calm days the picture is completely different. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a sunny or cloudy day. The success of the hunt is also influenced by the behavior of the bird. For example, if the bird is not yet frightened, it is quite easy to lure it. Often it is the female who appears at the sound of the decoy, so you should be extremely careful and only shoot when the male is in front of you.
The best time to hunt hazel grouse with decoy is from 9 am until sunset. You should not arrive at the hunting site too early, since the bird’s active wakefulness begins only at 8-9 in the morning. If it is cloudy for six months, the onset of hazel grouse activity may be delayed even further.
You need to choose a place to hang out so that you have a good view, and the hazel grouse cannot hide behind the nearest bush or spruce. A small tree can be used as shelter. If the hazel grouse in this place is not shy, then even a tree as a shelter will be quite enough for you.
Choosing weapons and ammunition
Particular care must be taken in selecting the weapon from which to fire at targets. When choosing a gun, keep in mind that you will have to shoot at close range, because it is almost impossible to notice a hazel grouse from a distance.
Note: As a rule, the best shot on game can be taken from 30-35 meters.
In general, any 12-32 caliber weapon, including pneumatics, is suitable for this fishery. However, it makes no sense to choose models with a high accuracy of fire, since a well-aimed hit from it can completely ruin the trophy. Most fishermen still prefer to use small-caliber rifles, although air guns have also become popular recently (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Suitable weapons and ammunition
Due to the small size of the bird, some hunters have trouble getting a fatal wound the first time. If a hazel grouse has fallen from a tree, it will be difficult to find it in a dense forest, so it is better to immediately mark out a landmark along which you will look for prey. Also try to listen carefully to the sounds of the forest: the presence of a wounded hazel grouse will be revealed by the loud fluttering of its wings.
From a twig
Woodworking enthusiasts can make a decoy from a spruce or pine branch. The branch needs to be cut in the spring, before the sap begins to move through the trees.
The diameter of the tube from the branch should be 6-7 mm, and the length should not be more than 6 cm. The bark is removed from the branch so as not to damage the base.
A notch is made on the cleaned stick, which deepens to obtain a clear decoy sound. A channel is cut through which air will pass, after which the bark is put back on the branch.
This bait is stored until the autumn, you need to keep an eye on it so that it does not dry out.
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Types of hazel grouse hunting
Hazel grouse are very smart and cautious birds, so you should not expect that winter hunting for them will be easy. But experienced fishermen know that there are quite a lot of ways to catch this game and each of them, subject to certain rules, will help you get the desired trophy.
Considering that each type of hunting has its own characteristics that put forward certain requirements for the hunter, we will consider all the nuances necessary for harvesting game.
With a gun
Recently, most game lovers go hunting hazel grouse with pneumatics. And this really makes sense, because shooting from such a gun at a certain distance can really help you get the desired prey (Figure 6).
Note: The main advantage of an air gun is that it shoots almost silently. This will help you put the bird down without unnecessary sounds and not scare off the individuals nearby.
In addition, the air gun has a fairly high calibration accuracy, so you can count on an accurate hit on the target even if the birds are hiding between the trees. However, the functionality and modernity of such weapons does not mean that accuracy is not required from the hunter.
Figure 6. A gun for hazel grouse should be of small caliber
Considering that air gun cartridges do not have high destructive power, you need to aim very accurately. Otherwise, the bullet will simply pass through the rower’s body without causing him serious harm, and the prey will simply leave.
From the approach
Hazel grouse, although shy, are extremely lazy birds. They fly very rarely, and even if they take to the air, they do not fly high. This feature benefits those hunters who prefer to hunt game from the approach (Figure 7).
Note: If you do not scare the bird with sharp sounds or movements, you will be able to get within 20 steps of them and you will be able to conduct accurate targeted shooting.
When going on such a fishery, do not forget about camouflage. Even if you manage to get close to a flock of game, this will not at all guarantee the success of the hunt. At the very last moment, hazel grouse can sense danger and take off, and from close range it will be extremely difficult to determine in which direction they fled.
Figure 7. Most hunters prefer approach hunting
The situation becomes much simpler if you notice a hazel grouse sitting not on the ground, but on a tree. If you shot at such game, but did not hit the first time, do not despair. Most likely, the spooked bird will fly a short distance and land on the lower branches of a nearby tree and you will be able to take a second shot. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, do not leave the location: the hazel grouse will rise to branches of a higher level on the same tree and you will still be able to shoot it.
Since in winter, hazel grouse spend most of the day in shelter and come out to feed only for a short time, experienced hunters practice going out early to hunt in order to catch the birds during the feeding period, when their attention is dulled.
Surge
Winter hunting for a rower by driving or driving is practiced when two or more hunters gather and look for game in a large forest. If all participants in the event strictly follow the fishing rules, you can fully expect rich catches.
Figure 8. A minimum of two people can take part in a driven hunt
There is a certain scheme for driven hunting, and only two people will be enough for it (Figure 8). One of the hunters moves along the river bank, and the second moves towards him. The first person looks for hazel grouse and scares them, and the game heads towards the second person, who fires the shot. If more than two people take part in the hunt, such a hunt is already called a driven hunt. It is of a larger scale nature, but the production in this case will be very abundant. All participants are divided into beaters and shooters. The first group goes around the place where hazel grouse gather from the rear, and the shooters line up in a chain on the opposite side. The beaters scare the game and direct it towards the shooters, who fire the required number of shots.
With a dog
Hunters who go hunting with a dog should be prepared for the fact that it is much more difficult to catch a hazel grouse this way than any other way. The fact is that birds can smell a dog much earlier than a person and will try to escape.
Note: If you still clearly decide to hunt with a dog, choose a husky or a spaniel, which behave more calmly in the forest and will not scare away the game.
Figure 9. A well-trained dog will help track down game.
However, if the dog is properly trained and has a calm character, it will be able to detect traces and locations of hazel grouse, without barking or growling it will report its finding to the owner and he will be able to shoot the desired amount of game (Figure 9 ).
On the holes
Winter hunting for hazel grouse on holes is considered one of the most productive, because it allows you to shoot a lot of game with minimal effort. This fishery is based on the peculiarities of bird habits in winter. Hazel grouse, like wood grouse, hide from frost in holes dug in loose snow. As a rule, such shelters are small, but it is not difficult to spot them on untouched snow.
Figure 10. Residential and non-residential hazel grouse holes (from left to right)
The main task of the hunter is to find the hole in which the bird winters. As a rule, such shelters are located in the thickest part of the forest, since hazel grouse prefer to settle in dense thickets. If you manage to find holes in the snow, do not rush to open fire. Carefully inspect the area: if there is another hole next to the hole, this means that the hazel grouse has already left this shelter (Figure 10). There is no point in shooting in this case. Since the birds lead a sedentary lifestyle, most likely they are somewhere nearby and it is better to continue the search. A rifle salvo can simply scare away the birds and you will be left without prey.
When you have located the hole and are sure that the bird is inside, you should properly prepare for the shot. Try to move silently so as not to scare the bird away ahead of time. But you can’t get too close to the hole, as an accurate hit from close range can ruin the trophy.
With decoy
Many hunters prefer to catch game by baiting. However, for winter hunting for hazel grouse with decoy, you need to choose the right time and place for fishing. It is best to go to the forest at dawn, since it is at this time that birds emerge from their hiding places to feed.
Figure 11. Types of decoys for hazel grouse
To use decoy, you must first find the habitat of the hazel grouse. Then you should find a tree behind which the hunter can hide. When all preparations are made, you can begin to lure birds using a decoy. At the same time, it is important not to move or show your presence in any way (Figure 11).
You should lure hazel grouse like this:
- Start using the decoy at the time when the bird goes to feed, since at other times it will be difficult to lure it out of the hole.
- When you notice that the hazel grouse has left its hiding place, wait a few minutes and begin to lure it with the female’s voice. As a rule, it is males who react faster to the sounds of a decoy.
- Be prepared to play the female's sounds several times at intervals of about 5 minutes. This is necessary so as not to scare the bird.
- When using a decoy, try not to make unnecessary movements. Firstly, this will help not to scare the bird, and secondly, you will quickly notice the approach of the hazel grouse, because most likely it will not fly up, but will approach the sound of the decoy.
It often happens that even the highest quality decoy does not sound attractive to the bird and the hazel grouse does not approach the hunter. Most likely this means that this game has already been shot and you will not be able to get the loot. In this situation, the most sensible thing to do would be to go in search of another individual.
Surge
Hunting for hazel grouse in Siberia in the fall is in most cases carried out by driving. To do this, it will be necessary to organize a group of experienced industrialists, in which everyone would play a role.
Speaking about the method of conducting a drive hunt, it is worth saying that all actions must take place according to a clearly established scheme. As a rule, two or three people will be enough. One or two should walk along the river and fire shots, lifting the bird onto its wing and causing it to fly away in the direction of the other shooter. Making a well-aimed shot will not be difficult.
It is also recommended to use a decoy during such a hunt in order to gather a large flock of birds near a reservoir. Accordingly, such an event takes on a larger scale, so two beaters and one shooter are no longer enough. On the opposite side of the river, hunters should be lined up every 100-150 meters. While the flock is flying past the first shooter, the second one must already take aim for an accurate shot.
Tips for beginners
Hazel grouse are a very inconspicuous and extremely cautious bird, so only accuracy and extreme care will help you get the desired trophy. In addition, even before going to the forest, you should study the habits of the bird in winter, as this will help you find a place to rest or feed game. If you do not have enough experience in this hunt, it is better to go into the forest with an experienced hunter, who will teach you everything you need.
You can also use tips on hunting hazel grouse from the video.
How to choose a decoy
Before choosing a decoy for hunting hazel grouse, you should decide how you will use it. For example, metal decoys are, for obvious reasons, very inconvenient to use in winter.
Modern decoys can be made from a variety of materials, from plastic to wood. In addition, they can be wind or electronic. The success of hunting hazel grouse with a blow decoy directly depends on the hunter’s ability to correctly imitate the sounds of the bird. Using electronic decoys does not require any special skills. Although, according to hunters, the pleasure of hunting with such a decoy is noticeably lower.
Homemade decoy of their syringe
You can make hazel grouse decoys yourself. The materials can be varied, ranging from an insulin syringe to the tubular bones of a rabbit or chicken. If you decide to make a decoy yourself, you should understand that in order to correctly copy the sound of a bird, the master must have extensive experience and skill.
How to recognize prey for a beginner
The hazel grouse is a very cautious and secretive bird. Her camouflage motley outfit, indistinguishable against the background of the forest floor, also helps her remain invisible. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for a hunter to be the first to discover the prey without going unnoticed. To do this, you need to know the peculiarities of its behavior, having thoroughly studied its habits and preferences.
Hazel grouse against the background of the forest floor
The hazel grouse prefers to move on the ground and takes off only in exceptional situations. Even when danger is detected, he does not fly away immediately, exposing himself to a shot, but tries to hide. Therefore, when hunting from a drive or with a decoy, you should first inspect the ground in search of game. Particular attention should be paid to dense undergrowth, dead wood, and low-growing berry patches.
Hunting hazel grouse is an activity that has thousands of fans both in Russia and abroad. It is in the difficulty of obtaining this desired trophy that all the fascination of the process lies.
Hazel grouse can be called the smallest, and at the same time the most numerous representatives of chickens, which are hunted, because the weight of an adult does not exceed 450 g. Hazel grouse live mainly in forest areas of mixed forests.
Despite the fact that this bird can be found throughout almost the entire part of the forest, it prefers to settle in areas with streams and ravines. The hazel grouse tries to avoid tall deciduous forests and pine forests.
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As a rule, a pair nests in a square measuring 400 by 400 meters, which protects it from other individuals. The fact that hazel grouse are nesting somewhere nearby can be recognized by their thin whistle and the noisy sound of their wings when approaching.
Permission
In order to hunt legally, the mandatory conditions are the presence of a hunting license, a weapons permit and a personal license with the specified periods and fishing areas. Hunting authorities are responsible for issuing licenses and collecting fees for permits.
Expert opinion
Tarasov Dmitry Timofeevich
Master of Sports in mountaineering. Author of scientific articles on the topic of survival in the wild
Hunting hazel grouse is not prohibited by law from the beginning to the end of winter, but every hunter must obtain a hunting permit, otherwise it will be considered poaching.
Hunting equipment
Hunting in the winter forest involves long and tiring walking, so you need to take care of your clothes in advance. 1. It is better to choose a jacket of a khaki color, i.e. khaki color, since the hazel grouse has very keen eyesight and is shy; 2.Comfortable, warm shoes, suitable for long walks. 3.Skis for silent movement. 4. Thermos with hot tea, food, knife, compass. 5. First aid kit, matches, paper.
