Read

The Adventures of Monroe and Sharky

October 1, 2025 by Ruffed Grouse Society

by Steve Earley As a young boy who read “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” I dreamed of such a life. No school, no pesky parents, adventure, living off the land, guns, hunting, fishing and a loyal companion. My boyhood was the complete opposite – growing up in the asphalt jungle of Los Angeles. My friend and I dreamed of living in the country where we could roam, hunt and fish – and always be accompanied by our faithful hunting dogs. He longed to live in Texas. But, for me, it was a dream of living back in the woods of Maine where...

23 Woodcock In 22 Years – a Book Review

September 30, 2025 by Ruffed Grouse Society

by Jeff Wilkerson 23 Woodcock in 22 Years: Reflection on Hunting, the Night Sky and Our Place in the Universe Published: November 2024 University of Iowa Press Retail Price: $24 Woodcock cast a magical spell over many hunters. Much has been written about these migratory gamebirds, from lyrical poems and treatises to how-to discussions and biological books. When we ponder these mystical birds, their characteristics, migrations, habitat and hunting, our minds travel toward the north woods of the Great Lakes states or the Northeast. Likely, we imagine a pair of hunters traipsing along a damp bog, alder run or creek bottom following...

RGS & AWS Announces Chief Conservation Officer and Vice President of Conservation

August 13, 2025 by Ruffed Grouse Society

RGS & AWS is proud to welcome two conservation leaders – filling new roles – whose knowledge, experience and vision will help usher in a new era of habitat impact. Mark Hatfield and Karl Malcolm join RGS & AWS as chief conservation officer (operations) and vice president of conservation, respectively. Together, they bring a combined 40+ years of fieldwork, program management and policy leadership to the team. Strategic Leadership to Match Strategic Growth This moment represents more than new titles, it’s a clear signal of the commitment RGS & AWS has to scaling forest wildlife conservation through sound systems, expanded partnerships and strong...

Keeping Your Bird Dog Sharp: Off-Season Training for Peak Grouse Hunting Performance

July 11, 2025 by Ruffed Grouse Society

A comprehensive guide to conditioning, agility and scent work to keep your dog ready for the fall woods by John Warren INTRODUCTION Ask any passionate upland hunter and they’ll tell you ruffed grouse hunting is often as much a game of reflexes and strategy as raw stamina. These elusive birds favor dense cover – think alder runs, young aspen stands and thorny tangles – where they can disappear in a heartbeat. Your dog must be agile enough to pivot around fallen logs, tough enough to push through brambles and sharp enough to detect faint bird scent swirling amid thick undergrowth. But how do you...

Natural Connections: The pulse of a waking forest

April 30, 2025 by Ruffed Grouse Society

by Emily M. Stone, Naturalist/Education Director at the Cable Natural History Museum Ruffed grouse drumming; Neal Herbert; May 2014 Our morning dawned crisp and blue. In the woods, we knew that the trails would be firmly frozen, the mosquitoes still far from flying, and perhaps the ticks would be hunkered down, too. This chilly spring weather is a perfect match for a hike on the North Country Trail. As we entered the brushy, deciduous forest and strode down the leaf-littered path, I felt my heart quicken and thud in my chest. After a moment, the sensation reached my ears, too. It wasn’t my...

Schultz Named Forest Service Chief; RGS & AWS Says Schultz Understands Importance of Active Forest Management to ‘Forests, Wildlife and Our Communities’

February 28, 2025 by Ruffed Grouse Society

(February 28, 2025) – Experienced forester and resource manager Tom Schultz was named chief of the U.S. Forest Service on Thursday, a decision welcomed by the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society, which underscored Schultz’s deep knowledge of the forest products industry and his demonstrated commitment to managing and supporting healthy forest wildlife habitat. As the 21st chief of the Forest Service, Schultz will manage 154 national forests and 20 grasslands across 43 states. He brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served as vice president of resources and government affairs at Idaho Forest Group, where he led...

Read

Footer