The 1960’s -TheMuffled Beat

THE BEGINNING

The Ruffed Grouse Society’s roots are in the mountains. The organization, founded in the small Virginia town of Monterey, in the mountainous country near the West Virginia border, was granted a Virginia charter dated October 24, 1961 as The Ruffed Grouse Society of America.

And so the Society’s evolution began, an evolution that continues today as the Society adapts to meet its various challenges. New leadership istaking the Societyahead with new plans, new initiatives.

What the Society might accomplish in the future, however, will owe much to past investments and achievements, especially those of the last30 years, a quarter of a century plusof building on the principles of sound science and commonsense forest management.

The Society has experienced two truly seminal years, the first 1961, the year of its inception, and the second 1977. In that first year, Bruce R. Richardson, Jr.; Seybert Beverage, an attorney; and Dixie L. Shumate set out to create an organization to help find out what was ailing ruffed grouse populations, which they saw in general decline.

Richardson was the first president and last of the trio to die, passing away in April of 1994.

“Judge “ Beverage, who was confined to a wheelchair, was secretary and editor of the Society’s small newsletter. Shumate was treasurer.

Ed Yates, left, banquet chairman of the Middle Tennessee RGS Chapter, presents a photo of the house that held the first office of the Ruffed Grouse Society to Dave Sandstrom, treasurer of the RGS National Board of Directors. Dr. John Beverage of Nashville, Tennessee gave the photo to Yates. Dr. Beverage is the brother of the late Seybert Beverage, one of the founders of the Ruffed Grouse Society. The Beverage home, on Spruce Street in Monterey, Virginia, was where wheelchair-bound Seybert Beverage conducted his law practice. As an attorney, he played a key role in the inception of the organization and later was editor of the Society’s first newsletter, which he put together in his home office.

THE 1960’s

1961
October 10, 1961- the date the Ruffed Grouse Society of America (RGSA) is formed in Monterey, VA, with incorporation on October 24: Bruce R. Richardson, president; Judge Seybert Beverage, Secretary; and Dixie Shumate, Treasurer.

1962
Membership is $10 annual or $100 Life (billed for 4 yrs. at $25 ea. yr.) and you got your name on a scroll.

1963
The Ruffed Grouse Society of America publishes its first publication by the same name Vol. 1 – No. 1 in Monterey, VA for April 1963. Judge Seybert is Editor. One article indicates 151 members from 21 states.

1964

Vol 2. – No. 1 for Summer 1964 indicates two more states are now represented (TX and GA) and 117 new members added “Since the last edition of the publication…’ (Vol. 1 – No. 1). That’s 268 members from 23 states.In November 2010,there werecurrent members from 49 and occasionally a serviceman member passes through Hawaii to make all 50 states.

Game popularity rating for Maine. Note: ruffed grouse were 2nd and woodcock were 9th.

1965
Not yet supported by RGSA, grouse research at Cloquet, MN continues.

Sign from RGSA National Headquarters that also appeared on the annual magazines.

1966
First Annual Meeting held August 12-13 in Bedford Springs, PA hosted 40 delegates from five states and DC. PA chosen because of its recognition of the ruffed grouse as its state bird. Keith Davis is elected president, replacing founding president Bruce R. Richardson. Other founding officers also relinquish posts.

1966 Annual Meeting Dinner

Ruffed Grouse — Pennsylvania State Bird

1967
Vol 3 – No. 1 Spring 1967 New emblem (patch) available $2 ea. Blackwater Falls Lodge, WV hosts the 1967 annual meeting on September 9. Authorizes state and local chapters as well as publishing a winter and summer issue of the magazine. President’s Letter – Reported on the annual meeting and indicated the emblems would be sent out in the next few days.

1968
February 1968 sees Vol. 4 – No. 1 published. First order of jacket emblems nearly sold out. Vol. 4 – No. 2 published June 1968 indicates the location of the annual meeting on August 23-25 at Allenberry, Boiling Springs, PA. First ad appears in June 1968RGSA magazine.Article about the first radio transmitters to be placed on grouse credits the lowly and often maligned porcupine as being used to develop the transmitters and tracking technique for the research at Cloquet in MN during early 1965. It is hoped ‘the great uncertainty, the grouse cycle, can have its cause finally pinned down’.President’s Letter indicates he (Keith Davis) was re-elected ‘his arm was twisted’ and that other officers stayed the same with the addition of a new vice president, Nick Sisley, who would also edit the magazine.

1969
Vol 5, No. 2 June 1969 announces annual meeting at ‘The Fabulous Lake Placid Club in the Adirondacks August 22-24’ where George Ford is elected president. Also provided an update on ‘RGSA’s Tax Exempt Status’ which hadn’t been granted yet. Finally granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status two weeks after the meeting on September 4, 1969. State chaptersforming and becoming active.“Gridding” – New Habitat Management Tool promoted as a way to increase wildlife.

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“For all of us, it was a labor of love,” said Bruce Richardson, RGS’ first president, many years ago.

It remains so today.

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Rev. February 3, 2011