BLANE KLEMEK OUTDOORS: Dusky grouse are exceptionally beautiful birds – Bemidji Pioneer

The dusky grouse, previously named blue grouse, is the next premier grouse in North The us, despite the fact that some accounts detect dusky grouse as the 3rd largest because there are two subspecies of the larger sized sage grouse.

Very similar in overall look to other grouse such as Minnesota’s ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chicken, the mountainous landscape of the West wherever pine, fir and aspen are ample is where this exclusive species of grouse calls property.

I have been fortuitous to come across dusky grouse on innumerable occasions around the earlier 16 years for the duration of my annual deer and elk hunts in Colorado. I’m always thrilled with observing this exceptionally stunning chook whilst marveling at its seeming deficiency of dread. Without a doubt, finding up shut and personalized with dusky grouse is schedule, whilst it is the full reverse with ruffed grouse.

Earlier this September when archery hunting for elk in the Colorado Rockies, I encountered additional dusky grouse than on any of the other excursions I have designed above the several years.

At nearly just about every flip it seemed, I was possibly flushing dusky grouse or observing them going for walks nonchalantly in front of me as I adopted slowly driving.

A single night in Colorado, as I slowly produced my way downslope back to camp, I crossed a mountain meadow of tall grass. Even though the grass wasn’t notably dense, I was stunned that I did not see the dusky grouse that flushed out of the grass only a number of yards from my toes.

Then one more grouse flushed to my right. And then one more to my remaining. And yet another, and so on, right until above a dozen dusky grouse flushed from the meadow all close to me.

I was surprised mainly because I did not observe One of the birds prior to each had flushed (irrespective of my seeking for them immediately after the 2nd bird flushed). It was unreal, and par for the training course when just one considers how cryptic all grouse are.

The plumage colors and designs of all species of grouse — dusky grouse provided — is Nature’s good way of aiding grouse survive. Although I take into account myself a very good and observant hunter, it was humbling to have stumbled into so several grouse without observing any of them right up until just about every was airborne.

As stated, dusky grouse are massive grouse. Amongst a crow and a goose in size, dusky grouse can obtain a weight of virtually three kilos with an total duration of nearly two feet.

To compare, ruffed grouse are typically about fifty percent the size of dusky grouse. And believe that me, when a dusky grouse flushes, its wingbeat sounds two times as loud as ruffed grouse.

Like sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens, displaying male dusky grouse have seen air sacs on their necks. Dusky grouse air sacs are placing purplish pink in coloration.

In simple fact, a displaying male in the course of the springtime breeding period brings together characteristics of many gallinaceous birds: a strutting male dusky grouse followers out its tail feathers and struts like a wild turkey, spruce grouse and ruffed grouse. They vocalize like sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens and they inflate their air sacs as do sage grouse, prairie chickens, and sharp-tailed grouse.

Like spruce grouse, dusky grouse also employ the air for elements of their courtship shows by performing quick flights to the ground from perches in trees.

As also stated, I’ve savored a lot of encounters with dusky grouse. Numerous a long time ago, although sitting down on a steep, forested slope on an early morning mule deer hunt in the Rockies, I read the faint sound of some creature that I could not promptly establish. I bear in mind considering that it sounded like vocalizing sharp-tailed grouse. As it turned out, I was not considerably off.

I soon noticed two dusky grouse, side-by-side although separated by about 10 yards, slowly and gradually earning their way upslope near where I sat on the floor versus a log. Both birds handed on possibly facet of me and gave me a floor watch of these distinctive birds as they went about their morning communicating and feeding jointly.

A small time later on, equally birds flushed and flew throughout the canyon, ultimately disappearing out of see.

It is appealing that so lots of distinct species of grouse have progressed throughout the continent and elsewhere, nevertheless just about every species, with its have special dissimilarities, all share some thing in typical. Dusky grouse is a hen to enjoy as we get out and enjoy the fantastic outdoor.

Blane Klemek is a Minnesota DNR wildlife manager. He can be reached at

[email protected].