A primer for those curious about ecological issues impacting the Northeastern Region of the U.S.
By Todd Waldron, Northeast Forest Conservation Director
February 22, 2021 – If you and your dog have been covering countless miles through New England’s autumn woods and have only been flushing a fraction of the birds that you used to see – there is a reason for it.
[Read more…] about RGS & AWS Northeast Forest Conservation Update: Part 1The need for increased commercial timber harvest is at an all-time high. The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) were encouraged to see a recent highlight addressing this critical issue for providing diverse, healthy forest habitat for abundant wildlife.
[Read more…] about Timber Management in the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson National Forest
People tend to take scientific discoveries for granted. There are laws of gravity, for example, that govern our world, but we don’t often think about Isaac Newton when we go about our day. When hunting ruffed grouse and scanning for the aspen trees they use as cover and sources of food in portions of their range, we’re probably not thinking of Gordon Gullion, the conservation scientist whose studies and observations enhanced our understanding of ruffed grouse and formally linked the bird’s welfare to aspen trees. Gullion’s research still has a major influence on the forest management practices the Ruffed Grouse Society promotes to benefit the bird and other species. His untimely death at age 67 denied us the authoritative synthesis of his research, but his findings are immortal.
[Read more…] about Gordon Gullion: Sage of the Ruffed Grouse
LISTEN | Modern Carnivore Podcast – Episode #15
About The Episode | Modern Carnivore
“Just days before the pandemic required our country to close down I was able to sit down with Ben Jones who is the President and CEO of two hunting conservation organizations: The Ruffed Grouse Society and the American Woodcock Society. We were at Pheasant Fest which is the annual meeting of the organization Pheasants Forever, and great conservation partner of both Ben’s organizations and Modern Carnivore. We talk about forest health and how proper management can help replicate natural disturbances that have been eliminated as the human population continues to expand across our continent.”
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.
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.
[Read more…] about West Nile Virus in Ruffed Grouse and Test Kit How-To Video
On February 25, 2020, Wisconsin hosted an Upper Midwest Ruffed Grouse Symposium. This event was geared towards professional wildlife biologists, foresters, and researchers managing ruffed grouse in the Upper Midwest.
In total, 120 professionals from eight different states attended the symposium. The day was well rounded with talks on current research, management efforts, and planning. Discussions also focused on learning about factors impacting ruffed grouse such as disease, policy, forest product market trends and climate.
[Read more…] about RGS Supports Ruffed Grouse Symposium in Wisconsin Rapids – RGS
During a trip to National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, RGS/AWS President and CEO, Ben Jones joined Bob St. Pierre, along with Jim Inglis and Andy Edwards, all of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever for an episode of On The Wing Podcast.
[Read more…] about On The Wing Podcast episode features Ben Jones – RGS
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
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
If you hunt ruffed grouse on the southern fringe of its range, aspen forest may not be all that relevant to you. But if you’re an upland hunter in the Great Lakes states or Northeast, it’s almost guaranteed that one of your favorite hunting spots includes an aspen stand. Throughout its lifecycle, it provides everything a grouse needs: dense cover and food.
Managed properly, aspen stands are excellent habitat for ruffed grouse. If you’re unfamiliar, here’s some more information about aspen and its importance for upland birds and other early successional species alike.
[Read more…] about The Special Relationship Between Grouse and Aspen – RGS
