I'm going to Ruidoso during the first part of October, it seems the only bird hunting available is for grouse. I was wondering if any of you have a good guide recommendation, or suggestions about adding a hunt onto our trip. I'm also willing to drive a few hours out of the way to go on a good hunt. Thanks

I have been doing the Cast and Blast at the Lodge at Chama for the last couple years. Great facility with fantastic guides. Always limit out on birds and trout. IMHO, you won’t find a better deal for a first class operation anywhere.
I even caught the first Golden Trout (they stocked 5 early this spring).

Surf and turf.

Pigsicles thanks for the response, I've always wanted to see and spend time at that lodge, thats in a beautiful area of the country. I just went to their website and it says that the grouse cast & blast trip is only offered in August. Is this the time of year that you go?

Yes, they only offer it during August as a lead in to their Elk season which is their bread and butter. We spend a week in South Fork CO prior to going to Chama as we enjoy getting out of the Texas heat for a while in the summer.
The chef is amazing also and you get to choose from about 7-8 dinner menu items each day that he will prepare in a 5 course meal.
We see a bunch of Elk, Mule deer, Bears and Turkey while up in the mountains with the guide.
It’s all inclusive except for wine and tips. It is never crowded for the B&C, this year there was only about a dozen folks in for fishing and the B&C while we were there.
Give it a go, you will be very impressed. We will be back again next year if the world doesn’t blow up between now and then.

A couple more pics to get a feel for the Chama experience.
We bumped into this herd on the way out of the Apache area, a 3000 acre high fence where they have some monster Bulls ( serious coinage).
The chef prepares lunch and they have covered picnic areas at each of the lakes that the guide sets up with the table cloth etc. we had fried chicken this day. I think there are about 14 lakes on the property from 6000- 11,000 ft elevations.

I'm no help on guides but I can tell you that you can shoot blue grouse in the Carson National Forest up near treeline in September as well as blue and Mearns quail in the southern parts of the Gila National Forest all winter. Both are public land hunts that are extremely doable as a self-guided hunt if you have a dog(s).

Keep us informed about what you figure out.

I'm going to be following this closely, as I am likely to be in Ruidoso as well, last part of October though. I'd be all for a good day of bird hunting or fishing while I am there. I'll let you know if I find anything.

I have a friend that’s houndsman up there, he could probably tell you a few spots. If you want his number PM me

If you are planning on having surf and turf in Ruidoso, you had better buy a chicken. Grouse are in the mountains of the Northern part of the state. Sorry, because it would be nice if they were there in a huntable number.

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/information-by-animal/upland-game/

He is correct, in all the years we have wondered through the Lincoln National Forest I have never seen a grouse, or a quail, did see a few turkeys, but that was a rare occurrence. But then if you don't mind eating crow, there are crows in the area.

Yeah, I looked up the grouse distribution map, I didn't figure there'd be any there but hoped....

What about the fly fishing, for two newbies, any guides or fly shops, or DIY messing around?

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, hopefully this would help him too.

Grouse like the higher elevations and no dog is need for them if you find them.
By Oct they are moving up in elevation, kind of backwards but they do.
We hunt them up here during elk archery season. Love dusky, blue grouse, they taste great.
Judo points on arrow work well. I keep a .22 or .17 in the truck for roadside opportunities.

You also want to go up north in the San Juan area for fly fishing. I see an occasional fly fisherman in the Ruidoso area, but it is rare, more bait and bobber at the lakes, Grindstone, Eagle and Mescalero. At Mescalero no state license needed, but you have to buy a permit at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. Best info in that area is at the Western Auto store, but that is not saying too much. I believe all of the lakes are stocked pretty regularly. Grindstone has also become a resort pain in the butt with kayaks and other recreational crap. way too crowded for us. Mescalero is our choice.