News

The Michigan Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Habitat Committee recently honored the dedication and passion that Al Stewart has for young forest wildlife conservation by presenting him with an award at the Annual RGS State Workshop February 2, 2019. The RGS State Drummer Fund, the only program dedicated solely to ruffed grouse and American woodcock habitat enhancement, has now been named the Al Stewart Drummer Fund. A portion of proceeds from each RGS chapter event go toward the Drummer Fund each year, and partners are invited to submit habitat project proposals which are then reviewed and approved by the Habitat Committee. This program has seen resounding success, and funds were leveraged to fund over $450,000 in wildlife habitat projects in 2018.

The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) are excited to announce that the acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt directed the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to use recommendations provided by RGS/AWS and a number of other partner organizations to update their process for disposing of federal lands by signing Secretarial Order 3373.

February 26, 2019
For Immediate Release

Washington, DC – The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS), North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife, recently celebrated Senate approval of the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47) on a vote of 92 – 8. In a continued show of strong bipartisan support, S. 47 has now been passed by a 363 – 62 margin in the House of Representatives.

February 13, 2019
For Immediate Release

Washington, DC – The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS), North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife, are celebrating Senate approval of the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47) on a strong bipartisan vote of 92 – 8. The Natural Resources Management Act is a package of bills with numerous provisions to benefit conservation and access for sportsmen and women, several of which were top RGS/AWS priorities. Over 40 other groups recently joined RGS/AWS to call for a Senate vote on the package, for which U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) built bipartisan support in the waning days of the 115th Congress late last year.

11/21/18

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Ruffed Grouse Endangered Listing

The message came at a time when we are normally thankful and celebrating our natural world – the change of seasons, the flush of wild wings, time with friends. But in early November, we were asked to comment on a decision to list ruffed grouse as an endangered species in a state where they once were common.

10/16/18

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October 16, 2018

For Immediate Release

Coraopolis, Pa. – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) and American Woodcock Society (AWS) held the 37th Annual National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt (NGWH) on Thursday and Friday October 11 and 12, 2018 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 decreases in both ruffed grouse and American woodcock harvests compared to 2017.

08/09/18

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August 9, 2018

For Immediate Release

Coraopolis, Pa. – The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) provided testimony  regarding the proposed early closure of the Wisconsin ruffed grouse hunting season at the August 8, 2018 Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) meeting in Green Bay through David Moore, RGS/AWS Board Chairman.

06/14/18

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June 14, 2018

For Immediate Release

Coraopolis, Pa. – The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) announced the selection of Benjamin C. Jones as their new President and Chief Executive Officer. Following the planned retirement of then President and CEO John Eichinger, the Board of Directors began an exhaustive national search to find his replacement, and Ben emerged as a leader in science-based conservation.