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RGS

Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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Archives for January 2020

Ruffed Grouse Society | American Woodcock Society Working to Improve Aspen Management in the Huron-Manistee National Forests

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aspen-management
  • Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS|AWS) staff are engaged in review of an exciting proposal to reinvigorate aspen management on the Huron-Manistee National Forests 
  • Comments may be submitted on the proposal by Feb 5, 2020
  • RGS|AWS public comments are included for members and supporters that may wish to provide substantive input of their own
  • We encourage comments to request consideration for additional, responsible forest treatments

The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS|AWS) have been engaged in discussions with United States Forest Service (USFS) staff regarding the need to address the decline in aspen harvest within the Huron-Manistee National Forests (HMNF) in Michigan. We are pleased that USFS is now accepting public comments on their Zone Aspen Project Scoping Document that outlines considerable improvements to HMNF aspen management. RGS|AWS supports the responsible management of our nation’s vast forest system and the HMNF Zone Aspen Project seeks to fulfill objectives that are true to the core principles at RGS|AWS. 

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Ohio DNR Proposes Changes to Ruffed Grouse Hunting Season – RGS

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Proposed Ohio ruffed grouse hunting season changes.

Following the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Wildlife Council meeting on January 16, 2020 the Ohio Division of Wildlife has recommended the following regulation changes for ruffed grouse:

Ruffed Grouse Season Length:
Public Land Oct 10-Nov 29, 51 day season (Currently to Jan 31)
Private Land Oct 10-Jan 21, 77 day season (Currently to Jan 31)
One bird bag limit (Currently two bird bag limit)

Ohio has seen a dramatic reduction of young forest age class on the landscape, however even in large scale state forest land where forest management has stabilized, grouse populations have not recovered.

Data courtesy of Mark Wiley, OH DOW.
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A Winter Grouse Hunt in Wisconsin – RGS

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Photo by | Mark Parman

The sights, sounds and silence of a winter grouse hunt.

On a winter grouse hunt all is quiet, save for the creaking of my snowshoe bindings and the webbing crunching the snow underneath. Not wearing his usual Swiss bell, which would clog with snow, even the dog is quiet. He mostly walks behind me in the packed snow, occasionally stepping on my snowshoes. When Jenkins steps out of my tracks, he swims in snow as he breaks his own trail.

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Ruffed Grouse Society | American Woodcock Society and Partners Applaud Efforts to Protect Boundary Waters Habitat

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Proposed legislation to Protect Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

January 15, 2020
For Immediate Release

Coraopolis, Pa. – The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS|AWS) today applauded introduction of the bipartisan Boundary Waters Protection and Pollution Prevention Act (H.R. 5598), legislation that would permanently protect fish, wildlife, and the recreation industry within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area from proposed upstream copper-nickel mining development in the Superior National Forest.

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Heather Shaw featured on The Hunting Dog Podcast – RGS

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Tune in to The Hunting Dog Podcast | Grouse Update featuring Heather Shaw

In December, Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society biologist Heather Shaw was featured on an episode of The Hunting Dog Podcast with host Ron Boehme,

The Hunting Dog Podcast
“RGS Biologist Heather Shaw joins me to talk about the status of grouse around the great Lakes. and a few nuggets of info that you need to hear.”

Listen | The Hunting Dog Podcast – Grouse Update featuring Heather Shaw

Purina Continues Commitment to Conservation – RGS

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Purina Pro Plan

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. — The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society are honored to announce the extension of a historic commitment to conservation by a critical partner organization, Purina, a premier global manufacturer of pet products. With a renewed partnership in place between the organizations, Purina will continue to support the RGS/AWS conservation network in the improvement of wildlife habitat and forest health. In addition, RGS/AWS membership will benefit through the contributions and expertise of Purina staff on all things related to bird dog health and nutrition.

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Winter Foot Care and Injury Prevention for Bird Dogs – RGS

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Examining risks and foot care methods for bird dogs during the winter.

From the crusty hard snow to the dry air and freezing cold temperatures, winter conditions can take a toll on your bird dogs, especially their feet. Being prepared and knowing how to deal with foot care, maintenance and injuries simply come with the territory of owning bird dogs. 

Having owned a large sled dog kennel, I am very familiar with booties, putting booties on my dogs and getting a sore back in the process. I have found it much easier to prevent problems than than trying to heal an active dog’s foot. Foot injuries take time to heal.

[Read more…] about Winter Foot Care and Injury Prevention for Bird Dogs – RGS