December's winter kickoff and yuletide cheer are its better-known aspects. But don't forget the one gift under the holiday tree that's hard to put a wrap on. That is grouse hunting during one of the best months of the year to do just that!

Boone County is where this late-season grouse was bagged. The hunt took place along the perimeter of a surface coal mine reclaim that's growing into prime cover. Photo by Bob Fala.

Call them Christmas grouse if you will, as does current Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro, who slips off for that traditional morning hunt after humbly getting permission from his wife. What's more, even the busiest of working folks get a few days off here and there to do likewise while the holiday spirits are high.

What better way to enjoy the great outdoors and to get some good exercise to boot than to traipse the varying slopes and weather conditions of a wild and wonderful West Virginia winter? With coverts now amply tamed by leaf fall and multiple frosts, the birds should be more concentrated at select thickets, blowdowns and tangles. You may actually get to see one as it thunders off. Better yet, you might actually get a decent shot or even bag a bird during these leaner population times.

A trout fishing buddy has just told of his first brood encounter, a hissing hen willing to drive three grown men away from her tiny chicks just out of the egg! With that kind of zest for life it's hard not being optimistic.

Our current grouse population problems are mostly the result of statewide landscape habitat conditions. This simply means that the West Virginia mountains are draped predominantly by middle to mature-aged hardwood stands. Grouse like the younger stands, which are rather limited within the big picture right now.

Nevertheless, with the leaves now down, the grouse-loving coverts will be easier to spot. So, do so in your travels or other hunting ventures as for squirrel, deer or whatever. Always ask your deer hunting companions how many grouse they've seen or heard. The more eyes and ears the merrier.

It's amazing how helpful most folks are when asked. It's equally amazing at how much help a hunting dog can be. According to one fellow, the dog for hunting is the syrup on the pancakes. As to just where to go, a dose of humility for the Mountain State topography must be accepted.

You can't climb up and down all day long. Look for the stuff along the levels, contours or benches. Mine benches, perimeters, logging trams and, oh yes, the newest kid on the block for grouse access are ATV trails which have laced the state landscape in the past score of years. Hiking trails are also great options.

Lower elevation drainages often support the shrubbery such as mountain laurel and rhododendron that grouse like. Mid-elevation slopes and coves could harbor grapes, sumac and other goodies. Ridgetops get the lion's share of sunlight and can be grouse magnets. They also feature the hottest forest fires along with the upper south- and west-facing slopes.

No, we're not advocating forest fires here. But if they do occur, make a mental note and try them a few years after. It's logging and surface coal mining that provide the best opportunities for the creation of new coverts. It takes time. As some coverts grow into prime places to hunt, others are growing out, becoming too mature.

So, go where the most intensive logging is. Keep an eye on the mining and forest fires, too. Also, look out for the heath-like rhododendron and laurel thickets that maintain their low-profile, high-stem density.

Gas and power line right-of-ways are great linear hunts, if they are more bench-like without too much up-and-down gradient. Linear hunts like that can be made with a buddy. For the steeper ones, drop one vehicle off on the downhill side, and then hunt to it from above.

As for winter foods and cover, they are oft one and the same at this time of year. Though many of the soft fruits, such as hawthorn and autumn olive, may be freshly gone, wizened grapes may still be lingering. Both grape and greenbrier tangles epitomize excellent quality winter food and cover.