The wife and I hunted N.E. WA in early Oct for a few blues and a few more ruffs...first time back in that area for 25 years or so and the grouse numbers seemed about the same as when we left but a lot fewer mule deer.
I'm guessing you were just real lucky seeing grouse the first time out and real unlucky the second time...seems like it happens that way to me before then during season all the time!
I did a chukar hunt in central WA one day too and managed to put up one covey (missed two shots I should have made...blamed it on the @#$% no-lead shot requirement). Had another covey chuck-chuck-chuckle at an old man and his wimpy legs at the end of the hunt from a couple finger ridges away...think they were trying to kill me.
