Finding the balance between moose and grouse

I really enjoy hunting grouse — and I really enjoy moose hunting. When these two seasons overlap, however, it creates a bit of internal conflict. When I’m in my moose-hunting area and spot a grouse, it’s hard to resist the urge to harvest it. But that impulse is probably counterproductive to my moose-hunting efforts. Plus, since I spend most of my time walking while moose hunting, I don’t want to carry another long gun. My dad used to carry a slingshot. I put a more modern spin on this strategy. I carry a pellet pistol. It’s not as effective as a .22 or a small-gauge shotgun, but it has a few clear advantages over the old-school slingshot and pellets. Finding the right tool Over the years, I’ve tried a few different models and eventually settled on a relatively inexpensive CO2-powered, revolver-style pellet pistol. With its slightly longer barrel, it offers decent accuracy — but the birds need to be close, patient, and not too clever. My success rate probably edges out my dad’s slingshot, but not by much. I’d estimate I get a shot at about one in three grouse I see — and I connect on about one in three of those. Still, it’s fun, and every now and then I bring a grouse or two back to camp without (hopefully) disturbing the area too much. There are plenty of pellet pistol options at various price points — from under $100 to more than $400. You’ll find both single-shot and repeater models, and a choice between traditional pump action or CO2-powered. I prefer CO2. I like to start each hunt with a fresh cartridge for consistency, even if that means ditching a half-used one at the start of the week. It’s a bit wasteful, but I’ve found it improves performance. It’s also worth practicing with your setup to see how power and accuracy change as the cartridge runs low. High-end single-shot pistols can be impressively accurate and could be a solid option. I’ve gone with a mid-range repeater for the ability to take quick follow-up shots. As for calibre, you’ll generally be choosing between .177 and .22 pellets. I currently use a .177 pistol, but for years I carried a single-shot .22 that was probably better quality, more accurate, and seemed to hit harder. Carrying options I’ve tried a few different carry set-ups. My go-to is a small leg