Game birds while elk hunting

[Conrad101st]

I gather we can carry a .22 pistol to shoot ptarmigan while we bow hunt in most units, assuming the season are both open:

C. Game Birds, except Migratory Birds
1. Any rifle or handgun for blue grouse; ptarmigan, (except in game management unit 39);

Anybody doing this and are there any specifics to be aware of to be legally compliant?

I bought the small game license for
$81 when I got my elk tag. I was planning on bringing a suppressed .22 pistol.

 

[wytx]

I just use judo points on my arrows but have a 22 or 17 in the truck.
Suppressed 22 should be great for birds.

 

[Dust Rider]

I pack two judo and a blunt to screw on for grouse. snake shot in a 357 or 9mm works good too except for noise. Sub sonic .22 with a can is as quite as it gets

 

[def90]

What state are you hunting in? Some states do not allow suppressors.

I’m carrying judo points with me this year as well, I see more grouse in my area than elk for sure.

 

[Jn78]

I have shot a couple of grouse with a muzzleloader (in the head). A 500 grain bullet is probably overkill for 2 pound bird. . . And thats a lot if noise, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Your .22 is a far better option than my muzzleloader was.

 

[PurpleDriver]

If the suppressor is illegal, you can always use some of the subsonic or CB rounds from CCI or Aguila. I use them in a 22 revolver and it is no louder than a cap gun.

 

[Conrad101st]

Colorado.

I’m gonna pull the regulations thought yo confirm suppressors are legal to hunt with there, but everything I have read so far indicates they are legal to hunt with.

I carry it in a pouch so it’s easy to screw on and use if I run across some birds. Also carry a tiny eye drop bottle of water so I can shoot wet. It’s stupid quiet that way.

I filled out the Colorado HIP report already.

 

[Dwnorton1]

Suppressor for hunting is legal in Colo and the states between you and colo so you can travel with class 3 suppressor to and from as long as you avoid Illinois and California on you trip in.

 

[Conrad101st]

I’ve never eaten a ptarmigan but hear it’s quite good. Looking forward to trying one if the opportunity arises.

 

[bowhunter307]

I have 5 arrows in my quiver. 2 of those are for grouse. I probably lose an arrow a day shooting at them. Others have said judo points which I've had great luck with but they break. I've been using these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071XSQ919/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IRzvFbRZ57KV8

Combined with these:

Amazon.com

The combo works GREAT. Haven't broken one and they hit like a truck.

Never bothered with a pistol, trying to be pretty quiet.

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[OXN939]

I’ve never eaten a ptarmigan but hear it’s quite good.

You heard correctly. We packed in a .410/.22 combo on this year's Caribou hunt and ran into a few. I'll say they're the best game bird of any kind I've ever had.

 

[Deplorable77]

I usually take a 10/22 backpacker and leave it in the saddle bags. It fits in a ukulele case perfectly My boy carries a little 22 revolver. I look forward to the grouse as much as the elk.

 

[brettdunn7]

Do y’all continue to hunt and if so what do you do with the birds and meat. I’m going out Thursday evening and camping, hunting all day Friday. Plan to have an arrow or two for grouse as they were all over the area I scoured. Just wondering what to do with them if I get them early Friday or late Thursday evening.


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[Deplorable77]

Gut them, tie to pack and keep going. Ill only breast them if I know ill be eating them within an hour our two

 

[Rob5589]

Never had a problem letting them sit the day. Keep them out of direct sunlight in the truck or pack. No worries.

 

[Conrad101st]

4 days till I’m in the mountains! Can’t wait.

 

[commandoNate]

S&W governor is my grouse pistol of choice since it shoots .410. I only use it once the tags are filled and I'm just packing meat or screwing around and not going home early. During archery season I shoot them with my arrows and blunt tips. Excellent table fare.

 

[Phaseolus]

Ptarmigan are found above timberline, possibly you are thinking of grouse? Both can be found, grouse are more common in Colorado.

 

[Conrad101st]

I’m camped at 10,500 and hunting at over 11k almost every day. But I intend to look at the regulations and the internet and get a better idea of which is which.

 

[Bear Wrestler]

I was grouse hunting here in Colorado this weekend and ptarmigan doesn't open until the 12th, so I looked around on how to tell them apart before I went. Before the ptarmigan turn white they are difficult to tell apart but ptarmigan have fully feathered feet while grouse do not. Also note that if the birds are below the treeline they are almost certainly grouse as ptarmigan spend the whole year in the alpine.