A spring hunt helps hunters slow down and think about the many opportunities the Tongass National Forest provides

April in Southeast Alaska is a season of tension and transition. Snow still clings to the high ridgelines above Juneau while skunk cabbage pushes through the soggy forest floor below. For hunters, it’s time to shake off winter and lace up the boots for one of Alaska’s most underrated spring pursuits: chasing the elusive Sooty grouse.

I was grateful for the generous opportunity to search for Sooty grouse with Mary Glaves, the Alaska Chapter Coordinator for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, based in Juneau. Her trustful canine companion, Riggs, a Catahoula Leopard breed, accompanied us for the day’s outing.

Hunting Sooty grouse isn’t about covering ground quickly—it’s about slowing down and tuning in to the rhythm of the forest. The hunter moves deliberately, scanning moss-covered branches and listening for the low, resonant hoots that betray the birds’ presence. These grouse favor the tops of old-growth spruce and hemlock, perched high in the canopy, nearly invisible, even when they’re calling.

The terrain is classic Southeast Alaska: steep, slick, and unforgiving. Every step is a calculated risk—wet roots, mossy boulders, and the occasional knee-deep patch of lingering snow. Trekking poles earn their keep here. But rugged landscapes make for beautiful country. One moment I’m huddled beneath a dripping evergreen canopy, and the next I’m out on an open ridge with sweeping views of the Inside Passage. It’s a stark contrast to the dry, crisp fall days I’ve spent chasing ptarmigan and ruffed grouse in my neck of the woods in Southcentral Alaska.

After a short, but steep hike, my hunting partner and I crested a ridge just as the wet snow started falling in earnest. We hunkered down with Riggs, hoping the squall would pass before deciding whether to push farther or turn back. I was grateful for the hooded puffy jacket stuffed in my pack—essential gear when you’re sitting still in cold, wet weather. We were soaked and chilled but still laughing at our luck with the forecast.

Eventually, I spotted a small grove of trees, and we ducked under, hoping a grouse might have done the same. Circling through the branches, we finally saw a bird. A closer look confirmed it was a hen. We watched her quietly, hoping a hooting male might be nearby.

Sooty grouse populations are generally healthy across Southeast, but spring is a sensitive time. Males—or “hooters”—advertise their presence with rhythmic, echoing calls from the treetops. Hens, meanwhile, stay silent and camouflaged as they prepare to nest. That’s why it’s critical for hunters to identify their target before pulling the trigger. Shooting a hen in spring isn’t just a mistake—it can mean the loss of an entire clutch of future birds. Responsible hunters listen carefully, move slowly, and only take birds they’ve positively identified.

Spring Sooty grouse hunting isn’t about limits or trophies—it’s about presence. It’s about listening to the forest, honoring the bird, and letting the woods welcome you back after a long winter.

These quiet moments in the misty hills above Juneau help me remember what is at stake. The Tongass National Forest isn’t just a scenic backdrop; it’s wild, intact country that’s also a working landscape for hunters, anglers, and the many rural communities that rely on tourism and the sustainable management of this forest for their economy. From the ridgelines where Sooty grouse hoot in spring to the alpine bowls where Sitka black-tailed deer rut in the fall to the rivers where five species of Pacific salmon spawn, the Tongass supports a wild and deeply rewarding kind of hunting and fishing.

That’s why the Tongass Forest Plan revision matters to those of us who hunt and fish. This once-in-a-generation process will shape how the forest is managed for decades—whether crucial habitat remains intact, whether roadless areas remain wild, and whether future generations will have the same opportunities to experience this place as we do today.

As hunters and anglers, we understand that good habitat is the foundation of everything we care about. The old-growth forests of the Tongass provide more than beauty—they shelter deer in harsh winters, support nesting habitat for grouse, and feed the salmon runs that sustain other wildlife and fill our freezers.

In January 2025, the U.S. Forest Service released its Tongass National Forest Draft Assessment Report, covering 21 key topic areas—from timber and subsistence to recreation, climate change, and carbon storage. A 45-day public comment period followed, ending on February 24. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership actively encouraged hunters and anglers to weigh in. TRCP’s comments urged the Forest Service to align forest management with community values, conserve key fish and wildlife habitat, prioritize restoration, support recreation-based economies, and complete a transition to young-growth forest management.

The next step in the process is for the agency to update and finalize each of the 21 assessment chapters before consolidating them into a Final Assessment Report, which will integrate findings across all resource areas.

As the Forest Service moves into the next phase of the plan revision, hunters and anglers will have a critical role to play. Public involvement will continue through formal comment periods on draft management alternatives and the Environmental Impact Statement. Multiple engagement opportunities lie ahead to ensure the final forest plan reflects the values of hunters and anglers. So, stay tuned, stay involved, and let your voice be heard. The Tongass has given so much to generations of Alaskans—now is the time to stand up for its future.

Learn more about TRCP’s work in Alaska HERE.