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Ruffed Grouse Society

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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Heather Shaw featured on The Hunting Dog Podcast – RGS

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Heather-Shaw

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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Wisconsin Approves Ruffed Grouse Management Plan – RGS

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State of Wisconsin approves first ever Ruffed Grouse Management Plan

Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) voted to approve the states very first ruffed grouse management plan. The impetuous and need for this plan was set forward after the NRB voted on an emergency rule to shorten the 2018 ruffed grouse season. Support for this plan was extensive with 15 members from 13 different government and non-government organizations making up the planning committee. Including two familiar faces:  Current RGS Regional Wildlife Biologist Jon Steigerwaldt and past RGS Wildlife Biologist Gary Zimmer.

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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.

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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Minnesota DNR Reports Findings of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Ruffed Grouse

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On Monday, November 18th, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) reported results that confirmed three ruffed grouse submitted for testing were infected with Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).

The grouse were taken in Itasca county and submitted to the DNR for testing by hunters. The hunters noted the birds seemed unable to escape or fly. They also appeared emaciated, having significant muscle and tissue loss. Like West Nile Virus, ruffed grouse become infected with EEE when bitten by mosquitoes carrying the disease.

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Voice Your Support for Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania – RGS

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sunday-hunting-for-ruffed-grouse

The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society previously notified members of a chance to gain Sunday hunting opportunities in Pennsylvania through Senate Bill 147.

This week, the House Game and Fisheries Committee added an amendment to SB 147, primarily to require written landowner permission for Sunday hunting. This amendment has alleviated some lingering concerns and created the best chance yet to allow hunters that want the opportunity for Sunday hunting to have that choice. The rundown of votes that passed the amended version of SB 147 out of the House Game and Fisheries Committee can be found here.

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2019 National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt Results – Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society

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grouse-and-woodcock-hunt

October 16, 2019
For Immediate Release

Coraopolis, Pa. – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) and American Woodcock Society (AWS) held the 38th Annual National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt (NGWH) on Thursday and Friday October 10 and 11, 2019 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 increased harvest rates compared to 2018, and considerably improved grouse recruitment.

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