Wonko, Ted beat me to it. The one factor that has stood the test of time is that, given good habitat, hunting has little or no impact on grouse populations, MN has mucho good habitat for grouse. If anything successful heavy hunting would likely impact predators, especially avian predators.
Ted, I agree, as I stated given more time I'm sure I would have found birds. A week in one area is not a good indicator of numbers overall. A bright spot is the two weeks I spent around my old home produced surprisingly good pheasant hunting, considering the reports were gloomy. The key there was waiting until the corn was out,(late) the weather was dismal. The hunting was the best I've had there in a while. I will hunt regardless.
Chief
