fbpx

RGS

Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

You are here: Home / Archives for Conservation Policy

Conservation Policy

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

by

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.

[Read more…] about Ruffed Grouse Society | American Woodcock Society and Partners Applaud Efforts to Protect Boundary Waters Habitat

Wisconsin Approves Ruffed Grouse Management Plan – RGS

by

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.

[Read more…] about Wisconsin Approves Ruffed Grouse Management Plan – RGS

Building a Conservation Network – RGS

by

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

Voice Your Support for Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania – RGS

by

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.

[Read more…] about Voice Your Support for Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania – RGS

RGS Urges Prudence and Use of Sound Science in Considering a 2019 Wisconsin Grouse Hunting Season Emergency Rule

by

wisconsin-grouse

Wisconsin NRB Will Vote on Emergency Rule

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will vote on a proposed rule to shorten the 2019 ruffed grouse season at their September 24-25th 2019 meeting. The Natural Resources Board (NRB) sets policy and provides direction for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 

During an informational session at the June 26th NRB meeting, the Board requested DNR to begin working on an emergency rule to shorten the 2019 ruffed grouse season. An emergency rule that shortened the 2018 ruffed grouse hunting season passed last summer. That rule expired at the conclusion of the 2018 hunting season. 

[Read more…] about RGS Urges Prudence and Use of Sound Science in Considering a 2019 Wisconsin Grouse Hunting Season Emergency Rule

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

by

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

Voice Your Support for Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania – RGS

by

grouse and woodcock hunting

On Tuesday, September 10, the Game and Fisheries Committee of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives will hold a public hearing on a bill that would allow three days of Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania, and strengthen trespass laws. We encourage our members to contact your State Representative and voice your support for this bill.

[Read more…] about Voice Your Support for Sunday Hunting in Pennsylvania – RGS

The Ruffed Grouse Struggle is Real in Indiana…

by

Photo Credit | Steve Oehlenschlager

On October 31, 2018, the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) submitted a letter in response to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife (IN DNR) Rule Ideas for the 2018 Got INput Period in support of adding ruffed grouse to the list of endangered species of birds in Indiana.

[Read more…] about The Ruffed Grouse Struggle is Real in Indiana…

Your Voice Improving National Forests through RGS | AWS

by

Updates | August 23rd, 2019

[Read more…] about Your Voice Improving National Forests through RGS | AWS

Conservation Policy Update | July 2019

by

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