The ruffed grouse is to the forest what pheasants are to the grasslands. But unlike the flashier, bigger plains bird, you can’t bully a grouse around. The “we-got-’em-surrounded” mentality that often works with pheasants – big crowds pushing a section of real estate to pinch birds and force them to flight – won’t get you anywhere in the grouse woods. No, this is one bird that requires finesse.

Robert James pulls no punches: “I’m really upset with the shooting industry, including myself,” he says.

What could possibly rile the likes of Mr. James, a 75-year-old master stock maker?