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RGS

Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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Archives for 2019

Winter Grouse Hunting Strategies – RGS

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Things to consider before your next winter grouse hunt.

Here in Wisconsin, the snow is deep, and the winds are howling, and we have settled in for the winter. However, winter grouse hunting is possible and there are still areas that have not seen as much snow or cold temperatures as certain areas of the ruffed grouse range.  

If I am considering going to a new area this time of year, I first do some research.  Here are some of the things that I consider before heading out:

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Giving Tuesday 2019 Results

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You raised $52,855!
Thank you!

Thanks to all of our generous Giving Tuesday donors, we have SURPASSED our goal of $50,000 AND secured the a match of $50,000 for a grand total of $102,855!

Your help in making Giving Tuesday successful for ruffed grouse and American woodcock is very much appreciated; whether you’ve made a donation, shared our campaign, or both, thank you!

In 2018 & 2019, Giving Tuesday has served as a powerful springboard for Year End gifts to propel the RGS | AWS mission forward!

There is still time to make a tax-deductible donation! We are using gifts of all sizes to create healthy forest habitat across North America in 2020, thank you for your passion in creating healthy forests!

Make a Year End tax-deductible donation.

New Hunters Graduate From Mentored Hunt Training Presented by The Ruffed Grouse Society

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new hunters

New hunter mentor program allows new hunters of any age, young or old, to learn about upland bird hunting from mentors.

Kane Pa.:  The Allegheny Chapter (Kane) of the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has completed their new hunter training for 2019.  The New Hunter Mentor Program (NHMP) allows new hunters of any age, young or old, to learn about upland bird hunting from mentors. During a day in the spring and a day in the fall, all attendees learn about shooting, habitat and GPS, bird dog care, and then graduate to an actual hunt for birds with dogs. Experienced grouse and woodcock hunters mentored the graduates for the actual hunt.

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Ruffed Grouse Hunting with a County Forester

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Mike Amman | County Forester

A day in the grouse woods with a forestry professional.

Aldo Leopold wrote in Sand County Almanac that it’s best to just tag along behind a bird dog because it knows “grouseward better than you do.” This tends to be true, but a northern Wisconsin forester, especially one who hunts ruffed grouse with a passion, is a close second. That’s why when Bayfield county forester Mike Amman asked me to join him on a hunt, I immediately asked when and where.   

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Position Opening: Director of Regional Development, MI

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RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY/AMERICAN WOODCOCK SOCIETY

The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) is a national, non-profit group with a 60-year record of forest wildlife conservation.

Director of Regional Development

We are seeking an entrepreneurial leader to direct business development and fundraising programs in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana.

Qualifications: Passionate about wildlife conservation. Self-motivated. Ability to lead and motivate. Excellent spoken and written communication skills. Well organized. Proficient working independently and as part of a team. Business management experience. Degree in sales, marketing, management, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Ability to establish a home office centrally within the regional service area. Willingness to work hours that extend outside of the typical workday and workweek throughout the year, including extensive auto travel throughout the region. Valid driver’s license. RDs also may be required to hunt as an engagement activity with members and donors from time to time.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION:  Director of Regional Development (RD)

Regional Directors work independently and as part of a team that can include marketing and communications professionals, resource managers, member support staff, regional counterparts, and executive leadership. At the core of their responsibilities, the RDs must:

  • Empower volunteers to become conservation leaders, forming chapters that engage a larger network across the region.
  • Identify and cultivate relationships with major donors, companies, and foundations capable of magnifying the RGS/AWS mission through their philanthropic vision.
  • Work closely with executive staff, providing strategic insight and vision.
  • Recruit new members, volunteers, and leadership to ensure chapter sustainability over time.
  • Effectively communicate with the volunteer network, keeping them advised of relevant news, success stories, and RGS/AWS policies relevant to chapter operations.
  • Always represent RGS/AWS with conduct reflective of the organization and in support of all RGS/AWS policies and programs.

Day to day, the Regional Director will:

  • Facilitate chapter-led events that grow our community of conservationists, fuel the mission of RGS/AWS, and continuously foster engagement.
  • Host regular “meet and greet” events to form new chapters, working with RGS/AWS staff, wildlife agency representatives, and other professionals to offer informative meetings resulting in the growth of new chapters and volunteers.
  • Identify new revenue streams, novel partnerships and establish consistent cash flow throughout the calendar year.
  • Build relationships with local media (print and electronic) to publicize RGS/AWS activities and accomplishments.
  • Cultivate and steward donors and corporate partners, keeping them engaged with the RGS/AWS mission.
  • Work closely with all RGS/AWS staff, fostering a team approach.
  • Regularly update information in the RGS/AWS customer management database regarding donors, members and corporate partners.
  • Work with executive staff to establish work plans and goals and report progress.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned.

RGS provides each RD with:

Competitive compensation, health insurance, and retirement options. A vehicle (or vehicle stipend) to meet business travel and cargo hauling needs. A purchasing card for business and travel expenses. A personal computer and printer. A cell phone. Office supplies. Training and support as needed to excel in their roles.

Salary commensurate with experience and fit with RGS|AWS principles and culture.

To apply, please send letter of interest and resume via email to markf@ruffedgrousesociety.org

Application deadline is 31 December, 2019.

Jon Steigerwaldt and Jared Elm featured on Project Upland Podcast – RGS

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Listen | Project Upland Podcast #84

Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) biologist Jon Steigerwaldt along with RGS forest wildlife specialist, Jared Elm joined host Nick Larson on a recent episode of the Project Upland Podcast.

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The Importance of Alders for Grouse and Woodcock

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Exploring Our Love (and Hatred) of Alder Thickets

Maybe in your grouse hunting career, you’ve explored the edges of a tangled alder swamp while looking for birds. You’ve quite possibly shot at a grouse that flew into one, requiring you to trudge in after it. Perhaps you have even willingly adventured into one to see what secrets it keeps. No matter which of these is true, if you’ve ever had to navigate through an alder swamp or thicket, you know the misery that they can be. 

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Working Forests are Local and Sustainable.

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A Wisconsin ruffed grouse and woodcock hunter appreciates the local and sustainable nature of working forests.

 A few years ago, I was helping my neighbor, a contractor, frame up a house. Carrying 2 x 6s from the pile to the foundation, I noticed they were stamped MADE IN GERMANY. Here we were in the midst of Wisconsin’s Northwoods, in the midst of fine stands of red and white pine, and we were buying lumber grown and milled halfway around the world. This made no economic or ecological sense to me — it still doesn’t — that we would use lumber from so far away when we had usable and good trees within sight. The German wood shed new meaning on the term far-fetched.

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Giving Tuesday | Join The Movement

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Make a Giving Tuesday donation today.

Over the years, the American Woodcock Society (AWS) has supported ground-breaking research into this fascinating bird, the American woodcock. First, a migration study in the Central Flyway revealing key nesting grounds, migratory paths, and wintering locations. Now, a similar study in the Eastern Flyway. In 2017 AWS sponsored the 11th American Woodcock Symposium, highlighting work from the world’s leading researchers.

[Read more…] about Giving Tuesday | Join The Movement

We’re Very Thankful for our Corporate Partners

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We’ve got the best mission sponsors!

Whether it’s a purchase for your dog, your family, or yourself, we know you have plenty of choices in today’s marketplace. In the coming weeks you will be inundated with ads from companies near and far vying for your business. When it comes to your purchasing decisions, we hope you take a conscious consumer approach and spend your hard-earned dollars with those Corporate Partners supporting the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society. Their business philosophies celebrate giving back to conservation, and we ask you to strongly support the following Corporate Partners who contribute to healthy forests, abundant wildlife and promoting the conservation ethic. Thank you!

P.S. If you’re shopping through Amazon online, please don’t forget to shop through Amazon Smile and list the Ruffed Grouse Society as your nonprofit of choice! Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases back to our organization.