Grouse enthusiasts are abuzz this week with hunting seasons in full swing and recent press releases from key states. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan shared 2018 West Nile Virus testing results after an unexpected laboratory delay (details can be found here). I read the reports, completed phone interviews with reporters and braced myself. When West Nile Virus appears in the news, it can even eclipse dog breed and shotgun choice “discussions” in level of interest and disagreement. Justifiably so. The appearance of a new disease threatening our beloved ruffed grouse is reason for concern. [Read more…] about Ben Jones Addresses West Nile...
RGS Blog
Earliest Test Results of West Nile Virus Sampling in Upper Great Lakes Ruffed Grouse Now Available – RGS
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 stateRates of WNV antibodies in ruffed grouse varied from around 13 percent in Minnesota and Michigan, and 29 percent in WisconsinRuffed Grouse Society continues to emphasize habitat management as the “solution” for WNV, and aid in coordinating surveillance efforts in all 3 states October 22, 2019For Immediate Release Coraopolis, Pa. – The Departments of Natural Resources in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan recently announced results of West Nile...
Finding Your Next Grouse Cover – RGS
Know Your Grouse Cover You have waited all year for grouse season to arrive. Like many, you have your gear, maybe a new shotgun and shells, and the dog is tuned up and ready to go. Hard to tell which of you is more excited. Your travels lead you to familiar covers that have in the past held a promise of multiple flushes. As you and your dog work the grouse cover, anticipation is building for that first point and the explosion of wings. But it never comes, and your heart is sinking fast. [Read more…] about Finding Your Next Grouse Cover...
2019 National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt Results – Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society
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.
[Read more…] about 2019 National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt Results – Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock SocietyA Weekend at Grouse Camp with Ruffed Grouse Society – RGS
The day a German immigrant became an adult-onset hunter at RGS Grouse Camp in Wisconsin Most grouse and woodcock hunters know this situation: standing in young Aspen cover with a shotgun in your hand. All you hear is the tone of the e-collar that tells you a dog is on point maybe 50 yards away from you. Slowly, but with determination, you make your way through the thick cover of late September, just to end up about 15 yards in front of the dog still strongly on point. Just six month ago I would never have thought I’d find myself in the...
Understanding Woodcock Migration – RGS
Photo Credit | Eastern Woodcock Migration Research Cooperative Researchers studying and working to understand the migration habits and tendencies of one remarkable bird. One late afternoon last October, Alex Fish and I headed to a woodlot owned by the University of Maine, just a short drive from campus. The property is a few hundred acres, and was clearcut before being donated to the University. Now the forest holds a nice mix of aspen and other hardwoods with some scattered conifers and can be quite productive as a ruffed grouse cover. But with alder lowlands and a long stretch of river bottom that provide plenty...
