Ed Huntress wrote:

The spruce grouse fills that niche here in northern New England. I've
heard the Indians would only kill one in a pinch. Hunting spruce
grouse is not allowed in ME, though I suspect that's because there
wouldn't be any if it were allowed, not because of tradition. Even so,
I've only seen them when hiking in remote areas. When you flush one
it'll fly from cover to a low branch and watch you walk by. If they
stayed put, you'd rarely notice them.


I hear they taste like a cross between a peregrine falcon and a bald eagle,
with spruce flavor. Any truth to that? d8-)

Closer to spotted owl, actually...

David