Archives for February 2016

Ruffed Grouse Range Expands in Nevada

February 23, 2016 by Matt Soberg

02/23/16

News

This original article Expansion of Ruffed Grouse Range in Nevada by Steve Kemp, NDOW Wildlife Educator, Eastern Region; posted by NevadaWild on Feb 19, 2016 at http://nevadawild.org/expansion-of-ruffed-grouse-range-in-nevada/ provides details about Nevada’s history of introducing ruffed grouse into and around the state as well as a description of the method used by biologists to capture ruffed grouse for research or relocation. Includes a link to a recommended podcast “Tips to Finding Ruffed Grouse in Nevada” which may also translate to similar western states.

Original story:

In an ongoing effort to expand the ruffed grouse range and increase hunter opportunity, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), has implemented a plan to capture and relocate this medium sized forest grouse into many portions of central and northern Nevada.

Before 1963, Nevadans had no ruffed grouse population to call their own. The first translocation of ruffed grouse happened that year when 13 grouse, captured in Idaho, were released in the Ruby Mountains. Nevada’s ruffed grouse population has been expanding ever since.

HFM and RGS Team To Improve Habitat in Northern PA

February 15, 2016 by lindao

02/15/16

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RGS Press Release

Ruffed Grouse Society

451 McCormick Rd

Coraopolis PA 15108

412-262-4044

For Immediate Release

February 15, 2016

Coraopolis, PA – Hancock Forest Management has provided additional funds for the sixth year of cooperative habitat improvement projects with the Ruffed Grouse Society to benefit wildlife on forests the company manages in northern Pennsylvania. The cooperative projects include:

Recommendations for aspen management to benefit wildlife;
Incorporating practices beneficial for increased wildlife usage on food plots;
Development of revegetation recommendations for Marcellus shale well pads to benefit wildlife; and
Completion of a long-range habitat improvement plan for a portion of Hancock Timber-managed lands open for public use.

Ed Konwinski, manager for Hancock Forest Management in Smethport, worked closely with and provided a contribution to the Allegheny Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), to further develop the partnership. The funds will be used for habitat work on lands managed by Hancock Forest Management.

“We are pleased this partnership with the Allegheny Chapter of the RGS has reached over the half-way mark,” Mr. Konwinski said. “Hancock Forest Management has a long-standing stewardship ethic that integrates the growing, managing and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air and water quality; biological diversity; wildlife and aquatic habitat; and recreation and aesthetics. This partnership is part of our ongoing effort to put our stewardship principles into practice.”

“Partnerships with large landowners willing to go the extra step for the benefit of all wildlife, not just grouse and woodcock, maintain the cultural ties many people in this region have to the land. We look forward to continuing this relationship with Hancock Forest Management,” said RGS Regional Biologist Linda Ordiway.

Hancock Forest Management forests in the Allegheny region are third-party certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

Established in 1961, The Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society is North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife. RGS/AWS works with landowners and government agencies to develop critical habitat utilizing scientific management practices. Information on RGS/AWS, the mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.

The Hancock Timber Resource Group, a division of Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc., an operating company of Manulife Asset Management, manages more than five million acres of timberland in the United States, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Additional information about Hancock Timber may be found at www.hancocktimber.com.

Contacts:

Linda Ordiway, Ph.D.

RGS Regional Wildlife Biologist

412-720-6034
LindaO@RuffedGrouseSociety.org

Mary Hosmer

Ruffed Grouse Society, Allegheny Chapter

814-512-2101

Huron-Manistee National Forest – RGS Call To Action

February 9, 2016 by Eric Ellis

Do you hunt on the Huron-Manistee National Forests? Are you concerned about how the Forest Service manages their land in Michigan?

If so, there is an opportunity to have your voice heard right now on a project that will significantly increase habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and many other game and non-game species. It is vital for the Forest Service staff to know that you support what they are proposing not only so they will complete these activities but also so they will plan for more in the future. This support also will help as we proceed with our legal action against the U.S. Forest Service to get them to meet their minimum young forest goals. Read More…

The Big Jackson Project is open for public comment until February 12, 2016. This project includes aspen clearcutting but also non-commercial aspen harvests where logging machines can’t reach, alder clearcuts to maintain thick shrubby habitat in wetter areas, prescribed fire that will help regenerate young forests, planting of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, and oak regeneration cuttings that will create thick oak stands which are very beneficial to ruffed grouse.

You can read the entire proposal here.

I have submitted comments and supporting research. You are free to use them or any part of the letter in your comments. You will notice that I am supportive of what they proposed but have asked that they INCREASE some of the acreages to be treated.

Comments can be sent directly to Kris Kovar with the US Forest Service at kkovar@fs.fed.us or call him at (231) 745-4631.

Thanks,

Eric Ellis
Regional Wildlife Biologist and Grant Writer
Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society
EricE@ruffedgrousesociety.org

SHOT Show Product Updates

February 2, 2016 by Matt Soberg

RGS staff review product updates from the 2016 SHOT Show in Las Vegas

BROWNING A5 SWEET SIXTEEN

This new shotgun by Browning will bring back memories of your grandfather’s bird-hunting icon, the Browning A5. The Sweet Sixteen’s humpback profile has been well-known for decades, and this new-and-improved version will be very trendy and attractive with today’s upland hunters. This gun is available with 26 and 28-inch barrels, F, M and IC chokes included, less than 6 pounds in average weight and retails at $1,699.99. www.browning.com

Browning’s Scott Grange promotes the A5 Sweet Sixteen at the 2016 SHOT Show.

This is Browning’s product promo for the A5 Sweet Sixteen.

TENZING BV16 BLAZE UPLAND HUNTING VEST

It may not fit the mold of a conventional bird vest, but Tenzing’s upland bird vests sure do fit the hunter. Updated for 2016, this vest-pack crossover comes in a new blaze orange style to provide improved comfort and mobility for hunters of every size and shape. What’s not changing are the innovative pockets and features that have made this award-winning pack an essential bird hunting accessory. The BV16 features burr-free Dyneema-reinforced 100 percent cotton ripstop construction, 13 pockets, 14 shotshell loops, 2 radio pockets, 2 load lifter straps to keep weight up and tight and is H20 compatible. $219 to $229. www.tenzingoutdoors.com

Tenzing media specialist Josh Lantz explains the benefits of the updated Tenzing BV16 Blaze Upland Hunting Vest at the 2016 SHOT Show.

GUNNER KENNELS G1 INTERMEDIATE DOG KENNEL

This new dog kennel is rugged – includes “Yeti-like” double-walled rotomolded material – is built for your dog, designed for your peace of mind. This patent-pending intermediate-size crate fits dogs up to 75 pounds. It is built of the highest quality materials and engineered with you and your dog’s safety in mind. Other features include secure tie-down pins, rubber feet, stainless steel hardware, lockable paddle latch, heavy-duty rubber handles, robust paw proof door, drainage system, reversable door and back-up safety locks. $499.00. www.gunnerkennels.com

Gunner Kennels promo video.
https://www.gunnerkennels.com/videos/mans-best-dog-kennel

Gunner Kennels safety testing video.
https://www.gunnerkennels.com/videos/indestructible-dog-crate-testing

WILEY X EYEWEAR

Wiley X is bringing new technology to its already impressive array of protective eyewear for outdoors enthusiasts. Not only are they safe, but they are stylish – Wiley X is keeping up with the curve of safety, style and a comfortable fit. You can get the classic shooter glasses profile or a more contemporary style with dual uses for driving and hunting, maybe more attractive to the next generation of upland hunter. For nearly 30 years, Wiley X has been a leader in providing protective eyewear products to the U.S. military and law enforcement agencies and is also breaking the path in the realms of professional shooting, NASCAR drivers and other high-performance outdoors adventures. New models for 2016 for hunters and shooters include the WX Rebel and the WX Valor, both are available in Realtree Xtra camo frames. The company also added the new WX Rogue to its popular Changeable Series and the WX Omega to its stealthy Black Ops Collection. www.wileyx.com

See the models, styles and options of Wiley X eyewear here.
http://wileyx.com/products/sunglasses/mens

Wiley X sunglasses are near shatterproof and highly protective as seen in this commercial airing on hunting shows. These sunglasses stand up to rigorous ANSI Z87.1 and Ballistic testing and help protect against eye injuries for the military, hunters, fisherman and outdoor enthusiasts.

B&P (BASCHIERI & PELLAGRI) SHOTSHELLS

B&P is a globally renowned Italian-based ammunition manufacturer that first launched its full line of premium shotgun ammunition for the U.S. hunting and competition markets at the 2016 SHOT Show. The new U.S line includes a dozen different loads for everything from upland to waterfowl, turkey and big game. B&P has been used by Olympians and professional competitive shooters since the 1920s. Since 1885, when the company first invented its smokeless gunpowder in Bologna, Italy, B&P has remained focused on innovation – Its Gordon System case, which was introduced in the late 1980s, is a prime example – the design optimizes the combustion of the powder and performance of the ammunition resulting in lower recoil, a more comfortable shot, less hesitation and a faster second shot. B&P shotshells are available in multiple options for sporting clays and upland hunting for gauges .410 to 12 gauge, lengths 2 1/2 to3 1/2 inches, shot size up to 9 shot, and shot weigh 7/8 to 1 ¼ ounce. www.baschieri-pellagriusa.com

L.L.BEAN UPLANDER PRO HUNTING GLOVES

If you are looking for a new-age, sleek and tactical pair of upland hunting gloves, this new set from L.L.Bean may be for you. The Uplander Pro Hunting Gloves includes a touch screen finger for use with dog electronics, navigation and cell phones. This set also features a rugged material for protection, split grain leather with “pick free” knit panels, stretch faucets, back panel and cuff design for close fitting “second skin” feel, shorter cuff design that will not interfere with jacket, shirt, watch and more. $39.95 – available in July 2016. www.llbean.com

L.L.Bean product designer describes the reasoning behind the new Uplander Pro Hunting Glove.

SPORTDOG TEK 2.0 BLUETOOTH UPDATE

SportDOG Brand has again enhanced dog-tracking efficiency with the introduction of Bluetooth capability to its TEK 2.0 Series. This new feature allows dog handlers to receive realtime audible voice updates on their dogs’ locations through any Bluetooth-compatible earpiece. The realtime voice update feature via the speaker on the TEK 2.0 Handheld has proven popular with upland and hound hunters, because it provides them with a constant, hands-free check on the whereabouts of up to 21 dogs or other Handhelds in their hunting or training group. Now, Bluetooth capability provides those updates with crystal-clear, in-the-ear sound. All TEK 2.0 products are Bluetooth-capable, regardless of when they were purchased. The new feature, scheduled to be available in early 2016, will be accessible to owners simply by downloading the software updated directly from SportDOG Brand. www.sportdog.com

SportDOG media specialist Britney Starr describes the new Bluetooth update for the TEK2.