Ruffed Grouse – Bonassa umbellus Large Image (2.72 Mb)

I just read over at Adirondack Lifestyle about her encounter with a Ruffed Grouse.  I also had an encounter with one last Saturday, but it was far less violent.  We were cleaning up around some old stone walls when “JT” heard a strange noise – sort of a thrumming.  Well, about 2 feet in front of his face he spotted this nesting grouse.  Normally, these birds take-off pretty quick, but this one would not move.

Birds are great…for eating! If there was such a thing as an “Adirondack Chicken”, then this is it.  I haven’t had the pleasure.  When it comes to appreciating birds, most would agree that Audubon is a good reference.  I’ve always found his descriptions to be a wonderful read, only lacking in recipes:

The Ruffed Grouse – J. J. Audubon

More Info:

Ruffed Grouse – Wikipedia

Ruffed Grouse – Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The Wood Grouse – Audubon: Early Drawings

Hunting the Adirondack Grouse – The Outing magazine 1910

Ruffed Grouse Shortage – 1918 Annual Report – New York Conservation Commission

The Adirondack Grouse – Francis Sterne Palmer

Ruffed Grouse Society – Check the Banquet schedule.

Chicken of the Woods

Ruffed Grouse – Wild Chicken of the Adirondacks