Here's a few tips to remember while in this grouse woods this fall and winter. Some are common knowledge, some not so common.

* Be careful with your shotgun. So as not to shoot yourself (while climbing or going down a steep hill), shoot your hunting partner (in the case of a close flush), or shoot your dog (in the case of a low flying bird and a dog not broke to shot).

* Beware of deadfalls. Anyone that's ever grouse hunted in Appalchia knows how unbelievably hard the walking is...Straight up hills and back down into the valleys to find the food and find the birds. Its really tiring on a person, and when you lean hard on a tree you might look up and see the top of it coming crashing down on top of you. Make sure to not lean hard on dead trees because I personally have about been seriously hurt a few times because of deadfalls.

* Know and trust your hunting partner. Taking someone grouse hunting that doesn't often go presents you with a lot of worry, or should. The explosiveness of the bird can cause knee-jerk reactions to rookies with a shotgun, which can be very dangerous to you or your dog if youre not careful

* Beware of snakes. Grouse season here in KY opens in Nov 1 and can still be warm enough outside for snakes to be out during the hot of the day. Hunting too early can be super dangerous for your dog. Better to wait til all the leaves are off the trees.

* Know what other hunting seasons are in and know the territory. Grouse hunters are typically scorned by deer hunters and other hunters, especially grouse hunters with dogs. A lot of times the same coverts that have good grouse #'s in them are also used by deer hunters who can get rather angry when you and a dog come stomping into their territory. I have heard of one time where a deer hunter killed a mans dog because it ran under his deer stand. Know the area, and know what other seasons are in and use this knowledge to help you determine where to hunt. Try to hunt the places you wont find deer hunters, there are plenty.

* Step CAREFULLY. A lot of the areas I hunt here in southeast KY are choked with mountain laurels and limestone piles. When the leaves fall over these rock piles they can hide a 2-3 foot crack between the rocks or more, and you can step right into nothing and break a leg really quick. If you hunt quickly, do not around rock piles, or you could really hurt yourself...Which brings me to my next point....

* Wear BOOTS. Grouse hunting and tennis shoes dont mix, at least here in the mountains. I found this out last season. I was hunting alone coming along a rock bed and fell and twisted my ankle while wearing tennis shoes. Luckily it wasnt hurt too bad and I was close to the truck. But if I had been 5 miles away and had really hurt my ankle and been by myself with no cell service, it could have been bad. Plus boots come in handy in the early season when snakes could still be out.

* Beware of fourwheelers and other vehicles. When hunting near gravel roads, log roads, or highways or streets with a dog, take extra precaution. It is best to get well away from the road if it is heavily traveled. If you are not sure how heavily traveled the road is, its best to hunt well away from it and keep your dog on a leash or put him at heel til you get far enough away. Ive known a lot of people lose some great dogs to being hit by cars and ATVs.

* Check the weather before you go. One day last January I was hunting in a remote section of western Bell County by myself. I have an english pointer, who has really short hair. The day was perfect, it was mid-50s, unseasonably warm for January. I was dressed in very light gear. However, in an instant a huge black cloud came over the horizen, dumped a foot of snow, the temp dropped 20 degrees and the wind began to howl. I was a shivering mess by the time I made it back to the truck, and so was my dog. If I had watched the weather before hand I would have known to take a jacket with me...or just not to go that day.

* Always let someone know where you are hunting. In case something happens and you need help and don't have cell service.