Hit grouse, can't find

I am a dogless grouse hunter. Was able to connect on 2, but the third left a plume of feathers and kept flying as far as I could see (60 yards). I looked high & low but couldn't find. Any other hunters experience this? Can certainly see the advantage of a dog from this aspect too, but I would prefer to hunt without one. For the one that I missed, I used a 12 gauge pump with #6 shot & 2-3/4" shells. I have also used a 20 gauge single shot with the same shot in the 2-3/4", but the firing pin has been giving me trouble.



Any other dogless hunters out there? The birds were in the white pines with low hanging branches. The crop was filled with 1/2" long sticks with the bud on the end. A few green leaves as well. Happy hunting!

Hit grouse, can't find