We have a remnant population here in the county I'm in. It is, at least in the east, the southernmost population of Spruce grouse, some of the Montana or Idaho birds may live a bit farther south. Some call the western population "Franklin's grouse". These here in my area are not as daffy as the ones in the U.P. or elsewhere. I have only eaten a few, all shot in Ontario with either a slingshot or a pellet pistol. They are totally protected in Michigan. Areas of the U.P. have fair numbers, but even there they are in pockets of habitat that would leave them very vulnerable to over-harvest if hunting were to open up. The males are beautiful birds, especially when they display.

They are not dumb. They just do not get hunted very much by humans and don't see a lot of humans, so no natural fear. Much like western ruffed grouse.