Oregon Hikers

Just about every time my wife and I are on the Larch Mountain loop or up at Sherrard Point, we hear a rather deep hoot/bellow. It usually comes in bursts of two or three, then a pause of 10-60 seconds, and then repeats. Sometimes this lasts for minutes, sometimes it's just a few hoots.

This can happen in the middle of the day, and is somewhat loud. I don't think humans are responsible.

Anyone have any idea what could be making this sound?

Grouse

The sound is like a deep primate sound, it's so odd. Is it really grouse? I've wondered also.

Sooty grouse. Used to be called blue grouse. I've heard a barred owl up there once too which probably means there are no spotted owls up there now either.

Thanks, folks!

kepPNW wrote:Grouse

Agree. We heard it on Franklin Ridge. After someone told me what they thought it was, I searched YouTube for a video that would confirm the sound. This may or may not have been the video at that time but you get the idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRqCw7vpgI8

Sasquatch mating call. It seems when Karl (KepPNW) is hiking in the area, the whoops get more frequent.

forestkeeper wrote:Sasquatch mating call. It seems when Karl (KepPNW) is hiking in the area, the whoops get more frequent.

Shhhhhh!!! As I told you, we only share that with other sasquatch!

I've heard this in the same places (Larch Mountain and Franklin Ridge) and at one point I could have sworn the sound was coming from the trees way overhead. But that must have been a trick of acoustics, because a knowledgeable friend heard it with me once and also said it was a grouse.