My favorite time of year is just around the corner, and my passion for the fall season derives from several key contributing factors, not the least of which is the hot, muggy, uncomfortable dog days of summer being replaced by cool days with low or no humidity and even cooler nights. Bring it on.
The fall fishing can also be pretty darn good, offering a final chance to wet a line before winter arrives. But if I want to be honest, the biggest reason is our hunting seasons get underway.
I generally don’t need much coaxing to head north, but if there’s anything that will get me to load up the F-150 and hit the road for a few days during the fall, it is ruffed grouse. You know, the so-called “King” of Maine game birds.
To someone who has never spent time hunting grouse, it might seem a bit ridiculous or over the top to get so fired up about a bird that barely tips the scale at a pound or less. I mean, let’s face it, there’s more meat on a chicken sandwich from KFC or Chick-fil-A than on one of these birds. A hungry person would need half a dozen to satisfy their craving.
A fall walk through Maine’s North Woods offers plenty to see beyond the hunt. Credit: Courtesy of Al Raychard 
A pair of ruffed grouse harvested during a fall hunt in Maine’s North Woods. Credit: Courtesy of Al Raychard 
A moose is one of the memorable encounters Raychard has had while exploring the North Woods during grouse season. Credit: Courtesy of Al Raychard 
A black bear was another unexpected sight during one of Raychard’s fall grouse hunting trips. Credit: Courtesy of Al Raychard
And grouse have an acquired taste. The meat has a distinct hue, not dark or light, and is generally lean with a mild, delicate, sometimes slightly woodsy or nutty flavor. Whether roasted, grilled, pan-fried, sautéed, stewed, chunked in a pot pie, smoked or slow-cooked in a pot of baked beans with molasses, brown sugar and a dash of liquid smoke flavoring — my favorite way — you either love grouse as table fare or don’t.
Personally, I fall into the former category.
Grouse numbers generally follow a 10- to 11-year cycle of peaks and lows. Because we live down here in the flatlands and a few hours’ drive from prime grouse habitat, we never know whether bird numbers are high, low or somewhere in between until we actually reach our destination.
Based on past history, all I know is that if we go early enough, especially the first week or so before the birds get hammered and wise up to what’s going on, the chances of seeing more birds are better than later in the season.
But personal history also suggests that regardless of where birds are in the population cycle and no matter when we go, if we don’t dillydally in the morning, get breakfast over with in a hurry, get out of camp early enough and cover enough ground, we always find a few birds.
That’s a given about grouse hunting in northern Maine. High cycle or low cycle, there are always birds somewhere.
So what’s all the hoopla about? What is it about these birds that gets so many of us fired up each fall?
I don’t know about other grouse enthusiasts, but in my mind’s eye, heading north for a few days each October has always been about more than blistering a few birds.
I’ve never determined the success or failure of our annual fall trip by the number of birds we see or how many we take home for the table. If I am to be honest, it’s simply more about being up north than anything.
Seeing birds and bagging a few birds is just a bonus.
There are several ways to hunt grouse in the northern regions of the state. I’ve hunted grouse over dogs a few times, and observing a good bird dog work its magic while anticipating an explosive flush is a sight to behold and a classic way to go.
Many of the North Woods sporting camps and guide services have bird dogs, but I don’t, so I’m forced to find other means.
My favorite way to go is slowly walking old hauling roads and especially ancient spur roads with good edge cover that are too crowded with alders to navigate with a vehicle.
Thanks to Maine’s long logging history, there are literally thousands of miles of them. Many lead and open up to old cut-over areas offering prime bird cover and holding birds.
But if they don’t, it’s OK. It’s the walk I enjoy most.
The changing fall colors on a bluebird day can be spectacular, and there is something about the organic, earthy, almost sweet aroma in the northern autumn air that flares the nostrils, heightens the senses and makes you count your blessings.
There’s nothing like it.
But sometimes I get lazy and enjoy just riding the roads at an idle, maybe working on a cup of coffee as you creep along.
Grouse frequent gravelly areas along the roadside for grit and forage or can be found basking in the sun on chilly mornings. After a slow, stealthy walk-up, they can be easy pickings, or they might flush and quickly disappear before your feet hit the ground.
Whichever way it goes, it makes little difference.
Cruising can cover a lot of ground and offers an opportunity to explore and get to know unfamiliar areas. You never know what you might see.
Over the years, we’ve seen more than a few moose, bears crossing the road, deer standing roadside, eagles, ospreys and a variety of smaller wildlife.
We all have reasons why we hunt and the way we like to go about it. When it comes to ruffed grouse, I don’t have to limit out to call it a good day or successful trip.
Being in the North Woods during the most colorful time of year is more than enough.