Sooty Grouse

Overview

The sooty grouse is a large mountain grouse of the Pacific coastal ranges, once lumped with the dusky grouse as the "blue grouse." Hunting it means climbing into high conifer country for a big, fine-eating bird that famously moves uphill into the snow for winter.

Identification & Appearance

Sooty grouse are large and dark sooty-gray, with males showing yellow eye combs and, when displaying, yellow neck sacs; they have a dark tail with a pale gray band. They are a coastal-mountain form distinct from the interior dusky grouse.

Range & Habitat

They live in the coniferous forests and mountain slopes of the Pacific coastal ranges from California to Alaska, moving upslope into dense conifers for winter.

Behavior & Sign

Sooty grouse feed on the ground and in conifers, sit tight relying on camouflage, and flush with a loud burst. Males give deep hooting calls from the trees in spring. Sign includes droppings and dust baths.

Hunting Seasons & Timing

Hunted in the fall mountain seasons, from early-season birds on logging roads and slopes to later birds moving into the high conifers.

Hunting Methods

Walk-up hunting through mountain forest and along roads and ridges, flushing birds from the ground and trees, sometimes over dogs.

Gear & Optics

A 12 or 20-gauge with #6 to #7.5, and mountain gear for the steep conifer country.

Shot Placement & Field Care

Standard wing-shooting on flushing birds; cool and breast or pluck them.

Meat & Eating Quality

Sooty grouse are excellent - mild, light meat, among the best of the forest grouse.

Common Mistakes

Walking past tight-sitting birds and underestimating the mountain terrain.

Regulations & Conservation

Hunted under state mountain-grouse seasons and limits. Confirm current regulations before hunting. We do not give legal advice.

FAQ

Sooty or dusky grouse? Both were the 'blue grouse'; sooty are the coastal-mountain form.

Good eating? Excellent - mild light meat.