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Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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

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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. 

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Conservation is Not Cancelled – Fall Membership Promotion

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Photo By | Timothy Flanigan

Fall Membership Promotion Extended | Join/Renew Today.

Dear Conservationists,

As a grassroots member-based organization working to impact as many acres of healthy forest habitat possible, we cannot further our mission without you.

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Public Land Provides Pandemic Remedy

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Public land hunting is often synonymous with ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting here in North America. We are incredibly fortunate to have free and easy access to a multitude of public lands rooted in the foundation of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Established on the recognition that wildlife and wildlife-based recreation are an inherent public resource, this system ensures that wildlife and habitat will be managed and used for the benefit of the people.

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RGS & AWS Communications

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As we strive to increase RGS & AWS’ conservation impact, there has been a recurring theme: we need to communicate better among our entire network – members, chapter leaders, staff, and the national leadership team. 

I hear you and whole-heartedly agree! As a result, our team just completed a national Communications and Marketing Director search. Despite financial challenges of the pandemic, this is a position we simply could not afford to leave vacant.

The caliber of candidates was incredible and we would have been fortunate to have any one of them join us. Following many great discussions, we are thrilled to announce that Ashley Peters will be leading our communications programs beginning Monday, September 28. Her first order of business will be improving the connection with you all, the supporters and chapters who are the backbone of this organization.

Ashley comes to us from Audubon’s Upper Mississippi Flyway Initiative where she managed communications, policy, and engagement for a regional office that oversaw 30,000 members, 25 chapters, and dozens of partners. Her experience keeping members of a nonprofit well-informed is among the many reasons she rose to the top as a candidate. Not to mention her passion as a hunter and a conservationist.

With Ashley on board, we will have greater capacity to push towards these key goals:

  • ︎Better communication among staff, leaders, members, and partners
  • Communication to mass audiences about forest management for wildlife
  • Storytelling that invites all conservationists and hunters to the table

Please join us in welcoming our new communications and marketing director Ashley Peters and, as always, thank you for your dedication to healthy forests, abundant wildlife and our conservation ethic.

Ben Jones

President and CEO
Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society

Bird-In-Hand | A Ruffed Grouse Hunting Essay by Mark Parman

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A hunter’s reflection on the complexities and associated emotions of the moment we find ourselves bird-in-hand…

In the closing minutes of the last day of Wisconsin’s ruffed grouse season, I shot a beautiful mature gray bird that flushed wild high out of a mature aspen. Holding that improbable bird, part of me wanted to let out a wild barbaric WHOOP, one which would rip through the surrounding woods, but doing so never seems quite right to me in this sober moment when I have just ended the life of such a wildly noble creature. On top of the elation, I felt regret, twinges of guilt, I even foolishly wished we hunters had a shoot-and-release. Part of me wanted to throw that bird in the air and watch it fly away, but hunting requires pulling the trigger or at least the intent to do so, otherwise it isn’t hunting. It’s something else, I don’t know what, but it’s not hunting.

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August 2020 Membership Drive: Prize Drawing Winners Announced!

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The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society is excited to announce the winners (listed below) for the August 2020 Membership Drive Prize Drawing! While the drawing has concluded and winners have been announced, the membership drive and included membership gifts will continue until September 11, 2020 don’t delay – join, renew or upgrade your membership today or considering gifting a membership for someone else!

PrizeProductNameState
1Browning Citori 725 Field 20 ga – 3″ – 28″William F.LA
Federal –  20 ga 3″ 1/4oz #5 (1 case)
2Savage  –  Stevens 555 E 16 gaGary S.MI
2Federal –  16 ga. Game Load #7.5 (1 case)
3SoundGear – Custom Electronic Hearing Protection – PlatinumScott G.MA
4SportDOG Sport Trainer 875James G.PA
4SportDOG Braided Leather Lanyard
4SportDOG Roy Gonia Special Whistle
4SportDOG Natural Canvas Dummies – Qty of 2
4SportDOG 50/50 Black and White Plastic Dummies – Qty of 2
5SportDOG Sport Trainer 875Jackson B.WI
5SportDOG Braided Leather Lanyard
5SportDOG Roy Gonia Special Whistle
5SportDOG Natural Canvas Dummies – Qty of 2
5SportDOG 50/50 Black and White Plastic Dummies – Qty of 2
6Purina Six Month Supply of Purina Pro PlanJonathan T.WI
7Purina Six Month Supply of Purina Pro PlanThomas S.KS
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Feed & Retrieve BucketAndrew B.NC
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Large Cooler – Brown
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Two Barrel Double Seat Cover
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Truck Seat Organizer
8Boyt Harness – Mud River Memory Foam Lounge Cushion
9Filson Mesh Game Bag Vest – Dark Tan / Blaze OrangeMike P.MI
10Filson Mesh Game Bag Vest – Dark Tan / Blaze OrangeAnne A.MN
11Filson Mesh Game Bag Vest – Dark Tan / Blaze OrangeJeffrey W.MI
12Filson Mesh Game Bag Vest – Dark Tan / Blaze OrangeAndrew R.MI
13Federal – 12 ga 2-3/4″ 1-1/18″ oz. Hi-Bird #6 (1 case)Dillon G.ND
14Federal – 12 ga 2-3/4″ 1-1/18″ oz. Hi-Bird #6 (1 case)Michael B.VA
15Federal –  20 ga 3″ 1/4oz #5 (1 case)Ron O.MN
16Project Upland Magazine – 1 Year SubscriptionAlbert B.VA
17Project Upland Magazine – 1 Year SubscriptionJoseph M.NV
18Project Upland Magazine – 1 Year SubscriptionJeff V.MN

COVID-19 Impacts on Timber Markets and Forest Wildlife

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How COVID-19 Could Affect Grouse Habitat

It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a bit of a whirlwind and things haven’t gone as planned. With all the stay-at-home orders, shutdowns, and disruptions, you’re likely looking forward to the fall hunting season more than ever and getting back into the grouse woods to unwind a bit. Unfortunately, coronavirus and COVID-19 still have some potentially nasty consequences in store for timber markets and subsequently ruffed grouse, in the form of habitat impacts. Here’s how the two are surprisingly connected, and some potential ways that the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) could help.

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Forest Management is Not Deforestation

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Debunking the Myths of Deforestation

When an average person today sees images of a recent timber harvest, it’s quite possible they may have a negative reaction to it. Fueled by stories of “greedy timber companies” destroying vast swaths of rain-forests, many people start to associate any tree cutting with ruining the environment. But there are some very big differences between deforestation and scientifically-based forest management. Given the decline of young forest stands in North America and the effect that it is having on many wildlife species, we hope to clear up some of those misconceptions below.

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Public Input Opportunity | Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines

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Act now to help shape the future of Minnesota’s Forests

Link to Survey

The Minnesota Forest Resources Council’s (MFRC) Site-Level Committee on Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines (FMGs) is seeking public input on the development of comprehensive forest management guidelines.  The guidelines are a core mandate of the Minnesota’s Sustainable Forest Resources Act.

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Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Applaud Senators Stabenow, Braun for New Bipartisan Bill to Help Family Forests

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The Rural Forests Markets Act will create revenue for family forests and sustain healthy forests and wildlife habitat

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, introduced the bipartisan Rural Forests Markets Act to help small-scale, family foresters access new economic opportunities through climate solutions like carbon markets. 

“Big or small, our forests are an important part of the solution to the climate crisis,” said Ranking Member Stabenow. “For too long, environmental market opportunities have been out of reach for many family foresters due to high upfront costs. Our bipartisan bill is a win-win for forest owners and the environment.” 

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