fbpx

RGS

Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

You are here: Home / Archives for Grouse Ecology

Grouse Ecology

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

by

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. 

[Read more…] about West Nile Virus in Ruffed Grouse and Test Kit How-To Video

Appalachian Ruffed Grouse: Ecology and Management

by

A synopsis and review of the book Appalachian Ruffed Grouse: Ecology and Management

The Appalachian ruffed grouse population is like a classic, small-market major league baseball team battling the Yankees or Red Sox; the odds are against them because of a disparity of resources. Unlike their kin of the North Woods, Appalachian grouse lack aspen trees for food and cover, which Gordon Gullion, a leading expert on grouse during his lifetime, considered their prime habitat. Nevertheless, ruffed grouse are adaptable birds that have thrived in Appalachia for thousands of years. 

[Read more…] about Appalachian Ruffed Grouse: Ecology and Management

RGS Supports Ruffed Grouse Symposium in Wisconsin Rapids – RGS

by

ruffed-grouse-symposium-wisconsin-rapids
Wood Yard – Wisconsin Rapids Paper Mill

Upper Great Lakes Ruffed Grouse Symposium 

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

On The Wing Podcast episode features Ben Jones – RGS

by

on-the-wing-podcast

Ben Jones speaks with Bob St. Pierre on an episode of On The Wing Podcast.

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

Heather Shaw featured on The Hunting Dog Podcast – RGS

by

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

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

The Special Relationship Between Grouse and Aspen – RGS

by

aspen-forest

Why Well-Managed Aspen is the Best Grouse Habitat

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

Winter Ruffed Grouse Survival – RGS

by

winter-grouse-habitat

Examining food and cover necessary for winter grouse survival.

In northern Wisconsin, winter regrouping of ruffed grouse starts to take place toward the end of October and the first part of November. The grouse group together this time of the year, not for security or for a social gathering, but because there is good food and cover in a single location. When in a group, grouse remain individualists. Each will flush on their own accord when pressured. It is the availability of high quality habitat and food that has brought them together.

[Read more…] about Winter Ruffed Grouse Survival – RGS

Reversing Ruffed Grouse Declines in Indiana

by

ruffed-grouse-endangered
Photo Credit | Steve Oehlenschlager

Up against an endangered listing, how can we help ruffed grouse in Indiana?

Ruffed grouse used to be present across the Indiana landscape, but now they could be joining the ranks of endangered species listed under the Indiana Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. In October 2018, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Division of Fish & Wildlife sought input from Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) to add ruffed grouse to the list of endangered species of birds in Indiana. After reviewing the evidence, biologists at RGS agreed with the proposal and submitted a petition to adopt the Administrative Rule Change. Here’s how this issue all started, how we could reverse its course, and how you could play an important part in that process.

[Read more…] about Reversing Ruffed Grouse Declines in Indiana

The Importance of Alders for Grouse and Woodcock

by

Exploring Our Love (and Hatred) of Alder Thickets

Maybe in your grouse hunting career, you’ve explored the edges of a tangled alder swamp while looking for birds. You’ve quite possibly shot at a grouse that flew into one, requiring you to trudge in after it. Perhaps you have even willingly adventured into one to see what secrets it keeps. No matter which of these is true, if you’ve ever had to navigate through an alder swamp or thicket, you know the misery that they can be. 

[Read more…] about The Importance of Alders for Grouse and Woodcock