I'm looking at doing some grouse hunting while we basecamp in the BWCA this fall. I'm wondering what you guys that have done it before like to bring for a shotgun? I've considered picking up a "beater" single shot in 20g for the trip. Looks like they can be found for less than 200 bucks. I'd get some practice with it before the trip. Or should I stick with bringing the O/U for a few more pounds of pack weight?

Hi ,sounds great, we do trip every year in SNF and I always prefer to bring my old 20ga single shot.
Its light to carry in the woods, dependable and easy to fix if have problem.
But we base camp from car so i always bring a backup of 1 or 2 :)
I'd say weight is consideration that id lean towards.

Motox380, how does SNF differ from BWCA for grouse hunting? From what I read, it looks like theres less regulation/rules. I suppose any logging activity there could provide better habitat as well.

I think both options are just fine. Its up to you if its worth a couple hundred bucks to shave a pound or 2 of weight.

Personally I'd probably just use what I had unless I knew this was something I was going to start doing more often. If thats the case then it might be worth getting a dedicated BWCA gun that fits the style of hunting (light weight pack in type gun).

The other consideration is how pretty is your current O/U. If its a really nice gun you don't want to risk getting dinged up then go look for that cheap single shot.

PikePetersen: "Motox380, how does SNF differ from BWCA for grouse hunting? From what I read, it looks like theres less regulation/rules. I suppose any logging activity there could provide better habitat as well."

As far as I know the only additional rules for hunting in the BWCA is regarding how far you need to be away from campsites/portages/hiking trails.

Correct Nofish, +1 ,
i'd also say with hunting in the SNF you will see more people around depending where you go and time of week, which can be plus or minus.. In the SNF the grouse hunters are mostly road hunting so they pass by a lot of grouse and good areas :)

Thanks for the advice. Looking forward to giving it a try. I always hear/see plenty of them up there it seems. Hopefully they don't all disappear once I have a shotgun in hand!

I usually have the most luck finding grouse when I have my bow in hand and a quiver full of broadheads. As tempted as I have been I still haven't talked myself into shooting a $7 broadhead at a grouse...yet.

When hunting thick pines, I like more shells than less shells.

nofish: "I usually have the most luck finding grouse when I have my bow in hand and a quiver full of broadheads. As tempted as I have been I still haven't talked myself into shooting a $7 broadhead at a grouse...yet."

Consider carrying a loop head - I've hit a few pheasants on the ground with wire loop heads. Also shot a nice Blue Grouse with one while Elk hunting in Utah.

Bring the single shot no reason to beat up your o/u.

nofish: "I usually have the most luck finding grouse when I have my bow in hand and a quiver full of broadheads. As tempted as I have been I still haven't talked myself into shooting a $7 broadhead at a grouse...yet."

Some of us carry a Judo point or rubber blunt in the quiver for that reason. ;-)
It’s important also to keep in mind the blaze orange requirements for small game when bowhunting:

gravelroad: "

nofish: "I usually have the most luck finding grouse when I have my bow in hand and a quiver full of broadheads. As tempted as I have been I still haven't talked myself into shooting a $7 broadhead at a grouse...yet."

Some of us carry a Judo point or rubber blunt in the quiver for that reason. ;-)
It’s important also to keep in mind the blaze orange requirements for small game when bowhunting:

"

If I read the regs correctly if I'm in a stationary position (in a treestand or blind) and there is no firearm season going on then I do not need any sort of blaze on me when taking small game with archery equipment. That exception covers the bulk of my bow hunting time. I do bow hunt during early Nov. when firearm season may have started so I'll need to be mindful of that if I opt to poke a grouse or two.

.410 single shot is all you need to pack in. It is all I have ever carried during the fall up there