Ruffed Grouse in South Carolina?!
Grouse here?
We all know ruffies are in many states, but even the most diehard, knowledgeable grouse hunters probably would doubt South Carolina had any. Turns out it does.
Of course the big question is how many – a question that looms large-ish for Brendan because he lives in NC, and we once spent a long, fruitless day stomping around prime grouse cover in NC without seeing or hearing a bird….
We’re not sure how many furry chickens live in SC, but it’s enough that the SC DNR has grouse hunting info…. (Any grouse guides down yonder?)
This topic came up when Google dumped an article on us titled “Fighting to save S.C.’s hemlocks.” Way down in the copy was this line: “The ruffed grouse, a chicken-like game bird, seeks shelter in the hemlocks from predators.”
[In case you’re wondering where these chicken-like birds are, the article is about the Coon Branch Natural Area, “near Whitewater Falls along the North Carolina border…. Thick, cathedral-like groves of hemlocks can be found in an area along the Whitewater River and a trail through Coon Branch, just off the 77-mile long Foothills Trail.”]
The SC DNR’s grouse info (pdf) doesn’t say much that isn’t applicable to grouse in any state, except for these lines:
> Ruffed grouse occur in huntable populations in the Northwestern part of South Carolina. They are usually found above 2,000 feet in the southern portion of their range, although historically they have also been found at lower elevations.
> Winter cover is usually evergreens such as laurel, greenbriar, and rhododendron, or
dense young conifer stands an acre or more in size.
Hmmm. Sounds interesting – particularly because of this season info from the DNR:
Season: Nov. 25 – Mar. 1, Game Zone 1 only – 3 per day
It runs until March 1!
That might be the latest any grouse season goes, at least in the eastern US. NC goes until Feb. 28 (daily limit 3), ditto for TN.
Jay might have to hitch a ride back down south with Brendan after we hunt PA next week….
Category: NC, Ruffed Grouse, SC, TN
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West Virginia’s grouse season goes until February 28th also.