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West Nile Virus in Ruffed Grouse and Test Kit How-To Video

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west-nile-virus-study
Photo By | Timothy Flanigan

An update on West Nile Virus in Ruffed Grouse and a test kit how-to video.

The second-year results for the Great Lake states’ collaborative West Nile Virus (WNV) study are in, and there’s good news, bad news and hope, for ruffed grouse in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

The good

In total, hunters provided 786 samples in all three states from the 2019 hunting season: 281 from Michigan, 188 from Wisconsin and 317 from Minnesota. The total number of samples was up a bit from the 721 submitted the year prior, though Wisconsin’s individual sample total went down. In 2018, Michigan tested 213 samples, Wisconsin tested 235, and Minnesota tested 273. While some birds did test positive for WNV antibodies, the percentages were low. The results from 2018 and 2019 also showed that these birds can survive being infected. 

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Conservation is Not Cancelled – Fall Membership Promotion

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Photo By | Timothy Flanigan

Fall Membership Promotion Extended | Join/Renew Today.

Dear Conservationists,

As a grassroots member-based organization working to impact as many acres of healthy forest habitat possible, we cannot further our mission without you.

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RGS & AWS Communications

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As we strive to increase RGS & AWS’ conservation impact, there has been a recurring theme: we need to communicate better among our entire network – members, chapter leaders, staff, and the national leadership team. 

I hear you and whole-heartedly agree! As a result, our team just completed a national Communications and Marketing Director search. Despite financial challenges of the pandemic, this is a position we simply could not afford to leave vacant.

The caliber of candidates was incredible and we would have been fortunate to have any one of them join us. Following many great discussions, we are thrilled to announce that Ashley Peters will be leading our communications programs beginning Monday, September 28. Her first order of business will be improving the connection with you all, the supporters and chapters who are the backbone of this organization.

Ashley comes to us from Audubon’s Upper Mississippi Flyway Initiative where she managed communications, policy, and engagement for a regional office that oversaw 30,000 members, 25 chapters, and dozens of partners. Her experience keeping members of a nonprofit well-informed is among the many reasons she rose to the top as a candidate. Not to mention her passion as a hunter and a conservationist.

With Ashley on board, we will have greater capacity to push towards these key goals:

  • ︎Better communication among staff, leaders, members, and partners
  • Communication to mass audiences about forest management for wildlife
  • Storytelling that invites all conservationists and hunters to the table

Please join us in welcoming our new communications and marketing director Ashley Peters and, as always, thank you for your dedication to healthy forests, abundant wildlife and our conservation ethic.

Ben Jones

President and CEO
Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society

August 2020 Membership Drive: Prize Drawing Winners Announced!

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The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society is excited to announce the winners (listed below) for the August 2020 Membership Drive Prize Drawing! While the drawing has concluded and winners have been announced, the membership drive and included membership gifts will continue until September 11, 2020 don’t delay – join, renew or upgrade your membership today or considering gifting a membership for someone else!

PrizeProductNameState
1Browning Citori 725 Field 20 ga – 3″ – 28″William F.LA
Federal –  20 ga 3″ 1/4oz #5 (1 case)
2Savage  –  Stevens 555 E 16 gaGary S.MI
2Federal –  16 ga. Game Load #7.5 (1 case)
3SoundGear – Custom Electronic Hearing Protection – PlatinumScott G.MA
4SportDOG Sport Trainer 875James G.PA
4SportDOG Braided Leather Lanyard
4SportDOG Roy Gonia Special Whistle
4SportDOG Natural Canvas Dummies – Qty of 2
4SportDOG 50/50 Black and White Plastic Dummies – Qty of 2
5SportDOG Sport Trainer 875Jackson B.WI
5SportDOG Braided Leather Lanyard
5SportDOG Roy Gonia Special Whistle
5SportDOG Natural Canvas Dummies – Qty of 2
5SportDOG 50/50 Black and White Plastic Dummies – Qty of 2
6Purina Six Month Supply of Purina Pro PlanJonathan T.WI
7Purina Six Month Supply of Purina Pro PlanThomas S.KS
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Feed & Retrieve BucketAndrew B.NC
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Large Cooler – Brown
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Two Barrel Double Seat Cover
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Truck Seat Organizer
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Memory Foam Lounge Cushion
9Filson Mesh Game Bag Vest – Dark Tan / Blaze OrangeMike P.MI
10Filson Mesh Game Bag Vest – Dark Tan / Blaze OrangeAnne A.MN
11Filson Mesh Game Bag Vest – Dark Tan / Blaze OrangeJeffrey W.MI
12Filson Mesh Game Bag Vest – Dark Tan / Blaze OrangeAndrew R.MI
13Federal – 12 ga 2-3/4″ 1-1/18″ oz. Hi-Bird #6 (1 case)Dillon G.ND
14Federal – 12 ga 2-3/4″ 1-1/18″ oz. Hi-Bird #6 (1 case)Michael B.VA
15Federal –  20 ga 3″ 1/4oz #5 (1 case)Ron O.MN
16Project Upland Magazine – 1 Year SubscriptionAlbert B.VA
17Project Upland Magazine – 1 Year SubscriptionJoseph M.NV
18Project Upland Magazine – 1 Year SubscriptionJeff V.MN

Public Input Opportunity | Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines

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Act now to help shape the future of Minnesota’s Forests

Link to Survey

The Minnesota Forest Resources Council’s (MFRC) Site-Level Committee on Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines (FMGs) is seeking public input on the development of comprehensive forest management guidelines.  The guidelines are a core mandate of the Minnesota’s Sustainable Forest Resources Act.

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Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Applaud Senators Stabenow, Braun for New Bipartisan Bill to Help Family Forests

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The Rural Forests Markets Act will create revenue for family forests and sustain healthy forests and wildlife habitat

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, introduced the bipartisan Rural Forests Markets Act to help small-scale, family foresters access new economic opportunities through climate solutions like carbon markets. 

“Big or small, our forests are an important part of the solution to the climate crisis,” said Ranking Member Stabenow. “For too long, environmental market opportunities have been out of reach for many family foresters due to high upfront costs. Our bipartisan bill is a win-win for forest owners and the environment.” 

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Mike Neiduski Hired as Director of Regional Development in Southeast

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The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) announced the hiring of Mike Neiduski as Director of Regional Development for the Southeast. In his role, Neiduski will direct business development and fundraising programs in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia. Mike will also serve as interim director assisting with communications and online activities in the mid-Atlantic until that position is filled. These important regions (formerly combined) were overseen by Dave Hansroth until his retirement in early March. 

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Action Alert | Indiana Ruffed Grouse Need Your Help

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SUBMIT ONLINE COMMENTS HERE – Deadline July 30th

Ruffed grouse in Indiana need our help. With just a little effort, you could take an opportunity this week to speak up on their behalf.

Two Indiana Natural Resource Commission (NRC) public hearings will take place on July 29th and July 30th to address proposed fish and wildlife rule changes. These amendments include adding ruffed grouse to the list of state endangered species. We strongly urge speaking up in support of this listing, and have included some talking points and rationale below, reiterating the reasons for the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) long-term commitment to this cause.

[Read more…] about Action Alert | Indiana Ruffed Grouse Need Your Help

Position Opening | Communications and Marketing Director

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Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society Logo

Communications and Marketing Director

Region: National
Location: Flexible
Posting Open Date: July 24, 2020
Posting Close Date: August 24, 2020 (or until filled by an exceptional candidate)

RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY & AMERICAN WOODCOCK SOCIETY

We are seeking an outstanding individual to lead communication programs conveying the importance of forest and wildlife conservation and inspire participants, from grass roots volunteers to corporate sponsors, to engage in our conservation network. 

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

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Jon Steigerwaldt on Outdoors Radio with Dan Small

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Forest Conservation Director, Jon Steigerwaldt recently joined host Dan Small on Outdoors Radio to discuss paper mill closures in Wisconsin.

Topics covered include economic and supply chain impacts to the forests products industry. as well as downstream impacts to wildlife habitat within the mill regions.

The RGS & AWS segment begins at the 39 minute mark and be listened to here:

Listen | Outdoors Radio with Dan Small