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Brent Rudolph

Building a Conservation Network – RGS

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The Ruffed Grouse Society is among 35 of the nation’s leading conservation organizations that united to form the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) nearly 20 years ago.

The coalition has now grown to 50 organizations, representing the interests of America’s millions of hunter-conservationists, professional wildlife and natural resource managers, outdoor recreation users, conservation educators, and wildlife scientists. As a coalition of organizations ranging from the Archery Trade Association to the Wildlife Management Institute, individual AWCP organizations have their own primary areas of interest, but we share a commitment to coordinated engagement with federal agencies and Congress to promote wildlife conservation and provide for sustainable public use and enjoyment of those resources.

[Read more…] about Building a Conservation Network – RGS

Earliest Test Results of West Nile Virus Sampling in Upper Great Lakes Ruffed Grouse Now Available – RGS

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ruffed grouse
Photo Credit | Steve Oehlenschlager
  • Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources recently announced results of the first year of coordinated West Nile Virus (WNV) sampling efforts for ruffed grouse in their state
  • Rates of WNV antibodies in ruffed grouse varied from around 13 percent in Minnesota and Michigan, and 29 percent in Wisconsin
  • Ruffed Grouse Society continues to emphasize habitat management as the “solution” for WNV, and aid in coordinating surveillance efforts in all 3 states

October 22, 2019
For Immediate Release

Coraopolis, Pa. – The Departments of Natural Resources in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan recently announced results of West Nile Virus (WNV) testing of hunter submitted samples from the 2018 hunting seasons.

Results are the first in a three-year study conducted through a partnership among the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) and each state agency. The coordinated effort was planned to better understand ruffed grouse exposure to WNV in the region. Results already demonstrate that some grouse survive exposure to WNV and are not sick when harvested in the fall.

[Read more…] about Earliest Test Results of West Nile Virus Sampling in Upper Great Lakes Ruffed Grouse Now Available – RGS

Following RGS/AWS Comments, Fish and Wildlife Service to Open Woodcock Hunting on Erie National Wildlife Refuge – RGS

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On Tuesday, September 10, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced a final rule to open or expand hunting opportunities on a number of National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) as of the 2019-2020 hunting season.

During the public comment period as part of this regulatory review, the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) submitted Federal Register comments on August 12 asking for Erie NWR to be opened up for hunting American woodcock. Providing this opportunity for woodcock hunting was among the changes made by the Service, though only up to 40% of the area within NWRs may be made available for migratory bird hunting.

[Read more…] about Following RGS/AWS Comments, Fish and Wildlife Service to Open Woodcock Hunting on Erie National Wildlife Refuge – RGS

Your Voice Improving National Forests through RGS | AWS

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Updates | August 23rd, 2019

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Conservation Policy Update | July 2019

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Maine grouse hunting

A look into the current habitat, wildlife and conservation issues that matter to RGS/AWS members right now.

RECENT VICTORIES

John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act

In February, the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society celebrated Senate and House approval of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (S. 47). The president later signed S. 47 into law on March 12, 2019. The bill included permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF has invested over $16 billion in conservation and outdoor recreation since originally passed in 1964. RGS/AWS staff, along with a coalition of our conservation and forest industry partners, worked to secure a $425 million LWCF appropriation in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, a 6.25% increase over the previous year. However, LWCF authorization expired despite a 50-year track record of successfully conserving habitat and expanding recreational access.

[Read more…] about Conservation Policy Update | July 2019

RGS Reports 2018 National Grouse & Woodcock Hunt Results

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10/16/18

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October 16, 2018

For Immediate Release

Coraopolis, Pa. – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) and American Woodcock Society (AWS) held the 37th Annual National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt (NGWH) on Thursday and Friday October 11 and 12, 2018 in and around Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Throughout the NGWH history, data have been consistently collected from all harvested birds by RGS/AWS wildlife biologists to provide historic perspective on population trends. Results this year showed decreases in both ruffed grouse and American woodcock harvests compared to 2017.

[Read more…] about RGS Reports 2018 National Grouse & Woodcock Hunt Results

C’mon President Trump . . . #FixOurForest

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By Brent A. Rudolph, Ph.D., RGS & AWS Director of Conservation Policy

A number of provisions favorable to hunters and healthy forests await the President’s signature later today…

Pen (2560x2560) (1280x1280)

On December 1, we released a National Update, asking our supporters to ask Congress for a budgetary fix to help the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) deal with out of control annual fire suppression costs. On January 12, we followed up right here on the RGS/AWS blog, identifying a number of provisions that could address the “fire borrowing” problem, including passing the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (WDFA), H.R. 2862 and S. 1842.

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RGS/AWS Hire Two New Wisconsin Forest Wildlife Specialists

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03/05/18

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For Immediate Release

 

Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society Hire Two New Wisconsin Forest Wildlife Specialists

Partnership with the USDA – NRCS and WI DNR improves forest wildlife habitat on private lands

Coraopolis, PA – Healthy forests are the centerpiece of the Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) mission, and their importance is recognized by multiple other conservation organizations. RGS/AWS has entered into a novel partnership with the U. S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR), collaboratively supporting two new, full-time staff dedicated to forest habitat development on private lands in Wisconsin. This coordination enables sharing of skills and resources to impact forest management and conservation beyond what would be possible by each partner organization alone.

[Read more…] about RGS/AWS Hire Two New Wisconsin Forest Wildlife Specialists

C’mon Congress . . . #FixOurForest

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By Brent A. Rudolph, Ph.D., RGS & AWS Director of Conservation Policy

Under budgets devastated by wildfire suppression costs, the Forest Service has reduced land management staff by 39% since 1998. Since 2001, vegetation and watershed management program funding has been reduced by 24%, and wildlife and fisheries management program funding by 18%.

The Happy Camp Complex Fire in the Klamath National Forest in California began on Sep. 17, 2014 from lightening and has consumed 125, 788 acres to date and is 68% contained. U.S. Forest Service photo.
The Happy Camp Complex Fire in the Klamath National Forest in California began on Sep. 17, 2014 from lightening and has consumed 125, 788 acres to date and is 68% contained. U.S. Forest Service photo.

On Dec 1, 2017, we asked supporters to ask Congress for a budgetary fix to help the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) deal with out of control annual fire suppression costs, and to enact other management reforms to address backlogged wildlife habitat needs.

The response from our supporters? Great!

The response from Congress? NOT great.

[Read more…] about C’mon Congress . . . #FixOurForest

RGS and AWS Congratulate Tony Tooke on Forest Service Chief Appointment

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09/01/17

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August 30, 2017

For Immediate Release

Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Congratulate Tony Tooke on Forest Service Chief Appointment

Coraopolis, PA – The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) congratulate Tony Tooke for his appointment as Chief of the United States Forest Service (Forest Service). On August 21, 2017, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Tooke’s promotion and lauded his career work for the Forest Service since age 18, most recently serving as the regional forester for the Southern Region. 

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