Outdoors
The BDN outdoors section brings readers into the woods, waters and wild places of Maine. It features stories on hunting, fishing, wildlife, conservation and recreation, told by people who live these experiences. This section emphasizes hands-on knowledge, field reports, issues, trends and the traditions that define life outside in Maine. Read more Outdoors stories here.
Maine’s grouse hunting season begins Saturday, Sept. 26. Hunters will undoubtedly want to know how the numbers are looking and what to expect before heading into the woods.
Each year, numbers fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including weather. Alex Fish, Maine’s game bird biologist, expects this year’s grouse season to be similar to 2025.
“Cooler temperatures this past spring may have resulted in some brood failure in regions of the state, depending on local conditions experienced in early June.”
Knowing which habitats to pursue will be key, as well.
“Drought conditions experienced throughout the summer may result in grouse seeking lowland habitats or moist soils, as birds concentrate activity near fall food sources or areas buffered from drought conditions.”
But don’t fret — just adapt.
“If traditional grouse hunting covers are holding fewer birds, take the opportunity to explore new trails or areas to locate grouse. We have birds. It may just take a bit of effort up front to understand the specific resources they are keying in on this autumn.”
Maine is also home to the spruce grouse, which doesn’t have an open hunting season.
The easiest way to tell the two species apart is by their tails. Spruce grouse have a rust-colored band across their tails, while ruffed grouse have a broad, dark band.
Spruce grouse are darker overall, and males have a distinctive red comb above the eye. Ruffed grouse also have dark ruffs along the sides of their necks.
Behavior can offer another clue. Spruce grouse can be unusually tame, sometimes crouching or simply walking away rather than flushing when approached. Ruffed grouse, on the other hand, are more likely to flush when disturbed.
Once you have a ruffed grouse in your game vest, the next question is what to do with it.
Outdoor contributor and wild game chef Denny Corriveau shared a recipe for maple grouse Marsala. If you don’t have all the ingredients, at least coat the meat with olive oil and flour and add some seasoning.
Another recipe from outdoors contributor V. Paul Reynolds, called “Geezer’s Grouse,” uses cream of mushroom soup — need I say more?
When you head out this weekend or next, Fish’s advice is worth remembering: “Enjoy a quiet walk through the woods with family or friends, and best of luck.”