Late Season

Here in central MN, we are just digging out of the 5th largest single snowfall in history, officially registering 17 inches. Most seasons are either closed now in MN, or effectively done because of weather or migratory effects.
Despite that, though, there's some great hunting to be had if you work for it. My absolute favorite time to grouse hunt is right now - success in terms of limits may not show it, but what grouse hunt often does?
Birds start to group up, so a walk of a mile or more may not lead to a flush, but all of a sudden, you're prone to spasms of heart-stopping noise. One grouse will explode out of the snow thump-thump-thumping its staccato rhythm. This my friends, is what we call "getting caught with your pants down." It usually happens when the furthest thing from your mind is the birds because you've been lulled into a sense that nothing could possibly be out here.
When I see that first bird, I imagine what follows would look like Elmer Fudd to others who don't grouse hunt. Stalking low, with thumb on the safety and my barrel up, I search the underbrush for tracks or holes left by grouse as they landed the night before.
Shortly after the first, and this time with me more ready, a second and third bird explode from the snow. With luck and quick reflexes, both would be mine, but often its one - sometimes none.
The winter grouse is a late riser, no need to hit the trail before sunup, and often you are fine after 8 or 9 AM.
So aside from having to shovel it and get around, I like the snow. More snow means better cover from cold temperatures for the grouse, and potential better numbers for the bird populations going into breeding season.
If you get out yet, make the most of this time of year, and be flexible. Once, while living in Nebraska, our late season pheasant hunt turned into a successful rabbit hunt instead.