Has anybody here hunted grouse in NC before?

My buddy and I are trying to organize our first grouse hunt and Pisgah Natl Forest in NC is the closest spot to us.

Also, if anyone wants to help sponsor our trip: https://www.gofundme.com/firstgrousehunt

Are you guys seriously asking for money so you can go hunting?  If you are able bodied males begging for money so you can go hunting...that's weak.

I will give you some free advice.
NC grouse are tough.  NC is on the edge of where grouse live to begin with, not nearly as much logging going on, and forest fires are not allowed to burn.  You can find birds, but you will work for them.  Don't measure success by birds in the bag, measure it by flushes obtained.

You've had a good day in NC if you have 4 flushes for 8 solid hours of hunting.  I know guys who are tickled pink to bag one or two grouse a year in NC.  These are seasoned grouse hunters who slay grouse in the northern states.

Also, if you're not hunting cover that looks like this, you're wasting your time.

If you don't have your own dog, you will need a guide. Hire Craig Bowers and you will walk all day long and probably move some grouse.  Maybe you will get a shot or two.  Appalachian grouse is hard hunting and not so much like the New England game writers published so much about.

http://gardenandgun.com/blog/trail-ruffed-grouse-north-carolina