Photo Essay by Eric Kallen
The North Woods
Covering an area of nearly 12 million acres, Maine’s North Woods are remote, offering few public roads and sparse populations. The area’s steep terrain, dense foliage and large, undisturbed tracts of land offer ideal cover for the “King of Game Birds,” the ruffed grouse.
Early in the season, hunters are treated to a display of beautiful fall hues as the aspen, birch and maple trees shed their leaves. In the right light, the canopy of trees that grows over the logging roads criscrossing the backwoods creates a beautiful mosaic, reminiscent of a great cathedral.
The Ruffed Grouse
Majestic and stately, the ruffed grouse is well suited for the dense woods it inhabits. The “ruffed” in its name comes from its black-and-brown neck feathers that flare up when the bird is threatened. Intricately patterned reddish-brown plumage provides camouflage among the hard and softwoods of the forest.
The respect that many grouse hunters have for this noble bird borders on reverence. Stated most eloquently by the grandfather of grouse hunting a century ago: “His keenness of sight and hearing is a thing to marvel at. His knowledge as to the psychological moment of bursting into sudden, startled and startling flight is a thing which he has acquired from countless ancestors.” – Burton L. Spiller, “Grouse Feathers” (Crown Publishing Group, 1972)
The Dogs
Hunting for ruffed grouse without the help of well-trained dogs borders on folly. Zigzagging through the woods at speeds that seem impossible given the dense foliage and limited visibility, pointers rely on their instincts and training to find their prey.
The terrain and cover challenges even the most fit dogs. To be truly successful, a keen nose is a must. Grouse are masters of escape, and dogs must learn to identify the signs and scents that mark their presence.
The Hunt
Hunters act at the sign of a dog’s flagging tail. Quickly dashing into the woods, dodging brambles and deadfall, wingshooters must be mindful that the ruffed grouse does not stay put for long. For the dogs tasked with alerting their handlers to the grouse’s presence, their point may be brief as the bird scampers along the forest floor looking for cover.
The flush of a ruffed grouse manifests itself as an explosion. Hunters can often be caught unaware, startled by the sudden beating of wings and movement of air. Oftentimes, hunters are unable to shoulder a shotgun and find a shot in the tight windows that mark the grouse’s habitat.
The splendor of Maine in the fall is unforgettable. A trip there is worthy of memories and stories for years to come. For those hunters who are fortunate enough to shoot a ruffed grouse, it’s wise to carefully preserve its tail feathers, which, spread out like a fan and mounted on the wall, serve as a reminder of the King of Game birds, hunted in Maine’s untamed North Woods.
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Eric Kallen is editor-at-large at the The Virginia Sportsman. His work has also appeared in The Pointing Dog Journal, The Retrieving Dog Journal, Strung Sporting Journal, The Mobile Press Register and Medium Format Magazine, which showcases exceptionally inspiring photography.
