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The Adventures of Monroe and Sharky

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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 my parents were from with a Britany like my Uncle Donald once owned.

While mine was just a dream, an eight-year-old boy near Trenton, Utah, is living the dream life of every boy (and girl) who loves the outdoors and dogs. Monroe Riddle is the son of Joshua and Rebecca Riddle. He’s the oldest of four children – with siblings Carolina (6), Forest (4) and Matilda (1). Monroe’s father and grandfather are dog breeders and trainers. 

They live in the county where they kennel about 30 dogs, raise pheasants and train springer spaniels and English cocker spaniels. Monroe’s there when puppies are born and pheasants are hunted, but there are two things that keep him from becoming another Huck Finn: his parents who insist he go to school and pesky Carolina who thinks she’s a cat when she gets mad at him “For no reason, of course,” he says. But those scratches do take a while to heal up.

For Monroe, his springer, Sharky, and his own 20-gauge over/under shotgun are the best things in life, and he puts both to good use each fall hunting pheasants, ruffed grouse, doves, rabbits and occasionally, waterfowl. He even runs Sharky in field trials, competing against seasoned owners and trainers. When not doing all of that, he helps his dad and grandpa with dog training by acting as a bird handler and shooter. All of this since he passed his hunter safety test at age six. The instructor said he was the youngest that he’d ever passed.

During the fall of 2022, he’d taken many great hunting trips with his loyal companion and dad. One hunting trip was for ruffed grouse. Sharky was hunting through the trees and got hot on a bird. He continued to track the bird up a little ravine into some thicker cover where he produced the bird. Monroe had a little gap between the pines and quaking aspens and let his shot fly. He was able to connect and brought the bird down. Sharky was sent on the retrieve and found it quickly.

During a pheasant hunt, he and his dad were pushing a slough where they’d seen indications of birds. It was a difficult year because of drought conditions, and they hadn’t had the same amount of success as in previous years. They’d been able to get a few roosters here and there, but in very tough conditions. In this area, they flushed a few hens so they knew there were at least a few birds there. His dad was able to start working up one end of the field and Monroe went a couple of hundred yards ahead to block the running birds. As they began to walk, a few hens started getting up. His dad’s dog, Ruckus, started getting hot and kicked up three hens and two roosters. His dad was able to knock one down and continue after getting it retrieved. Monroe started working towards his dad with Sharky and, suddenly, Sharky got hot and kicked out a rooster. Monroe was able to pull his gun up to his shoulder quickly and dumped the rooster with a head shot! He sent Sharky on the retrieve, making it the first rooster that he took where he was able to do it all on his own. From handling his dog to shooting a beautiful bird. He cracked his gun open, set it on the ground and gave his dog the praise that he deserved.

On another occasion, accompanying his dad and grandpa, Monroe was watching for grouse in a new area that they were scouting out. They were driving on a road, and it was a little rainy and cool. As they drove, Monroe spoke up that he had spotted a grouse in a tree. They didn’t know if he really had or if he just thought that he’d seen one. Grandpa proceeded to back the truck up and look into the tree where Monroe said that he’d seen a bird. Sure enough, standing on a limb about 15 feet in the air was a ruffed grouse. They proceeded to get the dogs out and go after it. Monroe was able to get the one in the tree and, as they pushed the trees, about a half dozen more got up. He was able to get one more out of that flock and it turned into a successful outing.

And those are just a few of the tales I can tell about this successful young hunter.

This past spring, Monroe was able to compete in multiple AKC licensed field trials. He ran Sharky all on his own in these competitions and did very well. Their connection’s a very special one and they both have a mutual respect plus a common goal. One specific event was extra special because he earned a third-place ribbon. During the event, he was called back to all three series and was able to put on quite a show. Sharky ran very well, listened to him and, as a team, they worked out six birds with multiple retrieves and just some all-around great dog and handler work. There were 23 participating dogs in the event and placing third was a very big accomplishment for anyone much less an eight-year-old with his dog.

Monroe is truly “living the dream” – a dream that any boy or girl would envy.

Steve Earley owns a small photography business called Dog Sports Photography. He’s based in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

23 Woodcock In 22 Years – a Book Review

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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 a brass-belled pointing dog, heading to coverts with names like “The Farm” “Lacy’s Romp,” and “Gallow Tree” – places that for those in the know, their hearts skip a beat when the words are whispered. We enter these sacred spots hoping for the best and expecting the worst. Never knowing if the winds or moons of the fall will deliver a flight of our prized quarry. While the dog searches for scent, the hunter scans for splash or whitewash and worm bores to provide a clue if they are early or late, straining to find the point, after the last vibrant yet subtle tinkle before the bell’s silence.

The dedicated woodcock hunter is usually a specialist, unlike Jeff Wilkerson, whom after reading his new book, “23 Woodcock in 22 Years: Reflection on Hunting, the Night Sky and Our Place in the Universe,” did I understand that he’s not a specialist. Instead, he’s a dedicated upland hunter.

The author describes himself early on as a “rough shooter.” That is, a walk-up hunter who uses his legs and desire to find birds instead of using a dog. For some, this may seem like sacrilege, but if this book taught me anything – and it taught me a great deal – it’s that there are many ways to find one’s pleasure afield and all of them are personal.

The author is a physics professor at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and teaches classes on astrophysics and astronomy. Throughout his book, he brings the world of stars, matter and anti-matter and the galaxies above us into the world of upland hunting in a fashion that has a fresh voice and presentation. Holding a woodcock in his hand, he ponders about its carbon release in comparison to the stars above us. He compares his study of stars to the footprints of public lands he hunts each fall in Iowa. Yes, Iowa! A state not known for woodcock, yet his pursuit is as dedicated as those hunters in more prolific states. His covers all become as unique as the stars in the sky he and his students research; their placement and changes in the natural world becoming the common denominator.  

One note: a glossary of astronomy and physics terms would’ve been beneficial to the sporting readership. While I appreciate his honesty to the loss of birds due to the absence of a retriever, readers may also find this ethically disturbing. However, this book is memoir of a “rough shooter” – as in 22 years’ worth of woodcock hunting. Wilkerson uses his legs and mind to pursue game birds in the Hawkeye State in a very personal and moving way. While harvesting 23 woodcock in 22 years may not be the expectations of many, after reading this volume, I would leave my dogs for the day to hunt with this author in his covers. I’m certain that I would learn and it would be diverse. Hopefully, I would be able to keep pace with his stride.

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

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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 leadership. 

About Mark Hatfield 
Mark has worked at the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) for more than 20 years, where he most recently served as the national director of science and planning. He led the development of NWTF’s groundbreaking $50+ million Keystone Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service and the stewardship of the NWTF and Natural Resources Conservation Service partnership.    

Mark brings unmatched experience in aligning conservation action with business efficiency. 

From his early days as a wildlife biologist, to his national nonprofit leadership, Mark has earned a reputation for sound judgment and mission-focus. He’s passionate about building strong teams, clear systems and conservation programs that deliver. 

“RGS & AWS has a proud history and a powerful mission,” Mark said. “I’m honored to help strengthen our operational capacity so the entire conservation team and our volunteers can do what we do best – restore habitat, build partnerships and make a difference on the ground and in communities.” 

About Karl Malcolm 
Karl is a widely respected conservationist with a strong background in forest policy, public-private partnerships and ecological restoration. Most recently, he served as assistant director of renewable resources for the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region. He’s also known for his work with the Aldo Leopold Foundation and his thought leadership in conservation circles. His career includes global innovation, like helping establish China’s first privately funded nature reserve, and local impact while working with RGS & AWS as a key Forest Service liaison. Karl’s leadership style is collaborative, science-informed and community-focused. 

“Ruffed grouse, woodcock and the healthy forests these iconic species help define need proactive, science-based conservation action,” Karl said. “This role allows me to combine my background in policy, relationship building and boots-on-the-ground project delivery in a way that will benefit forests, wildlife and all of us who cherish these special places.” 

What It Means for Our Members and Mission 
By investing in our leadership team, RGS & AWS is increasing our ability to deliver results where they matter most – in the woods near you. An expanded leadership team helps us move fast, think big and build partnerships that serve grouse, woodcock and all forest wildlife. 

RGS & AWS President and CEO Ben Jones shared: 

“It’s August so I’ll use a baseball metaphor; we just passed the All-Star break and recruited two franchise players heading into the pennant race and playoffs. These professionals, Mark and Karl, will make the big plays. They’ll make a difference for us when it matters most. Our habitat impact has grown in scope and ambition. Much work remains. Mark and Karl are here because they bring the skills, values and leadership to scale our work in smart, lasting ways.” 

Support the mission with a gift or sign up for a membership today.

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

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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 keep your dog’s finely honed edge from dulling when the season closes? This guide explores the latest off-season training methods, addressing everything from your dog’s unique physiological needs to mentally challenging nose work drills. By dedicating time and structure to your dog’s program in the off-season, you’ll ensure a powerful, well-conditioned return to the grouse woods come fall; you might even notice some increases in your own fitness as well.

The Unique Demands of Ruffed Grouse Hunting
Ruffed grouse are notorious for their unpredictability. Unlike pheasants or quail, these birds rarely run in open ground before flushing. Instead, they burst skyward with a thunderous whoosh, usually at the worst possible angle. This environment makes specific physical and mental demands on your dog:

  • Tight maneuvering: Navigating thick brush calls for nimble footwork, rapid directional changes and the ability to leap or duck around obstacles.
  • Short, intense sprints: Your dog won’t be running in wide-open fields for miles on end; instead, they’ll dash, stop, twist and dash again.
  • Heightened scent work: Grouse often hide in pockets where scent can swirl under branches or mix with damp forest floor aromas. A sharp nose is critical.

Recognizing these off-season needs helps you tailor an exercise program that keeps your dog’s reflexes, agility and nose in top condition.

Understanding Your Dog’s Physiology

Joint and Muscle Health
Because grouse dogs must repeatedly accelerate, pivot and jump in unpredictable terrain, their joints and muscles experience repeated stress.

  • Low-impact alternatives: Swimming or controlled treadmill sessions help maintain muscular fitness without placing undue strain on knees, hips and shoulders.
  • Core strength: Activities that encourage balance – like standing on a wobble board or balancing on low platforms – strengthen spinal and abdominal muscles, reducing the chance of injury during sudden turns.

Cardiovascular Endurance
Many ruffed grouse hunts involve covering substantial ground, exploring one covert after another.

  • Interval training: Sprints and recovery periods are more effective for simulating the abrupt bursts required in grouse cover. For example, you might jog for 30 seconds at a moderate pace, followed by a 10-second all-out sprint, repeating this cycle several times.
  • Steady-state exercise: While interval work is crucial, some consistent-paced running or brisk hiking also develops your dog’s aerobic capacity, laying a strong foundation for stamina.

Weight Management
It’s common for a dog’s caloric needs to decrease slightly after hunting season, yet they still need high-quality nutrients to maintain muscle and recover from training.

  • Balanced diet: Look for dog foods rich in protein from natural sources, moderate fat and easily digestible carbohydrates.
  • Portion control: Off-season doesn’t mean free-feeding. Keep a close eye on your dog’s weight to avoid extra strain on joints or slower reflexes.

Off-Season Training Strategies

AGILITY DRILLS FOR THICK COVER

  • Backyard courses: Set up obstacles that mimic wooded terrain, such as low jumps made from fallen branches or weave poles spaced narrowly to simulate tight brush. Encourage quick starts, stops and turns.
  • Core stability exercises: Use balance discs, wobble boards or even a small, stable log in the yard. A dog with a strong core is less likely to tweak a muscle or joint when maneuvering in real cover.

HILL WORK AND OFF-ROAD TRAILS

  • Woodland hiking: Seek out local trails or state forests with terrain that resembles grouse habitat: mixed woods, uneven ground and scattered deadfall. Explore at a moderate pace, then incorporate short bursts of jogging or retrieving drills.
  • Varied surfaces: Encourage your dog to step over logs, hop onto low stumps and navigate shallow creeks. This keeps things interesting and builds muscle memory for typical grouse-country obstacles.

SWIMMING AND HYDROTHERAPY

  • Joint-friendly conditioning: If you have access to a pond, lake or canine therapy pool, short swimming sessions can develop muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness with minimal impact on joints.
  • Progressive resistance: Some dog-friendly hydrotherapy facilities offer adjustable currents, allowing you to gradually intensify the workout.

INTERVAL TRAINING

  • Short sprints: This is often easily accomplished if the owner also runs. Alternate between steady jogging and fast, explosive sprints, mirroring the quick action in a grouse flush.
  • Adapt to weather: In colder climates, consider indoor or covered options like a garage treadmill or an indoor training facility to maintain consistency through the winter.

ENHANCING SCENT WORK

  • Layered scents: Hide grouse-scented bumpers around your yard, under leaves or inside fallen logs, then add a second scent to mimic real-world conditions (e.g., blending grouse scent with rabbit or woodcock essence).
  • Indoor nose games: On foul-weather days, bring the fun inside. Hide small, treat-filled containers in different rooms, changing up locations and complexity to keep your dog engaged.

MENTAL STIMULATION AND OBEDIENCE

  • Refine commands: Grouse covers are no place for slow responses. Reinforce immediate recalls (“here!”) and steadiness commands like “whoa” or “steady.” Practice them under mild distractions during walks or yard sessions.
  • Distraction training: Introduce background noises (like recorded wing beats or rustling brush) during obedience drills. This helps condition your dog to stay focused despite sudden, surprising sounds.

STRATEGIC REST DAYS

  • Active recovery: Not all rest days have to be idle. Light leash walks or gentle play sessions keep your dog moving without stressing muscles and joints.
  • Monitoring: Watch for signs of fatigue – limping, slowing down or reluctance to jump. Overtraining can lead to injuries that sideline your dog come fall.

FIELD TRIPS: BRINGING THE WOODS TO YOUR TRAINING

Sometimes, the best off-season preparation happens in the real environment. Even when grouse season is closed, consider taking short, controlled walks through the same or similar cover types. Keep your dog leashed or closely supervised if hunting is not permitted. Let them experience the damp leaves, fallen branches and swirling scents typical of grouse cover. This familiarization helps maintain a sense of excitement and readiness for the next open season – rather than letting the off season become a disconnect from what they love most.

AGE AND INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Puppies and young dogs: Don’t overdo it with intense training. Short, playful sessions build enthusiasm. Keep it fun and positive to instill a lifelong passion for grouse hunting.
  • Senior dogs: Swimming, gentle hikes and core-focused exercises can help older dogs stay mobile and reduce stiffness. Monitor for signs of discomfort and consult a vet about supplements for joint health.
  • Recovering dogs: After an injury, hydrotherapy and slow, progressive reintroduction to agility or endurance work can be vital. Check with a vet or canine rehab specialist to ensure the safest path to full recovery.

The Role of Nutrition and Veterinary Support
Maintain regular vet checkups during the off season to address any emerging issues like arthritis or minor muscular strains before they become major obstacles. A balanced diet featuring lean protein and healthy fats promotes muscle repair and sustained energy. Discuss with your vet the right balance of calories and possible joint-support supplements, especially for dogs that work hard in rough terrain.

Bringing It All Together
Ruffed grouse dogs are nothing short of athletes. They face close-quarters challenges, sudden sprints, tight turns and complex scent puzzles in environments thick with brush and fallen timber. The off season is your chance to keep those skills sharpened – and that body fine-tuned. You’ll balance rest and active development by combining agility drills, interval conditioning, nose work and regular obedience practice.

The payoff is significant. Come the first crisp morning of grouse season, you’ll be venturing into the woods with a dog that’s not only physically ready, but also mentally engaged – capable of weaving through aspen stands and pinpointing the scent of a bird hidden beneath a canopy of leaves. When that thunderous flush erupts, you’ll appreciate the countless hours you invested, knowing your dog is prepared to react instantly. Ultimately, that perfect synergy of skill, agility and partnership keeps ruffed grouse hunting so exhilarating season after season.

Final Thought
Even though the trees may be bare or the undergrowth too thick to see a grouse, the work you and your dog do now will pay dividends in the fall. By making the off season an active, intentional training period, you’ll forge a deeper bond with your companion and stack the odds in your favor when those ruffed grouse take to the sky again.

John Warren is a father, outdoorsman and veteran living in the Pacific Northwest. A former sniper and lifelong student of the rifle, he now leads brand efforts at Stovepipe.co while continuing to write and teach within the hunting and military communities. He also holds an MBA and believes in living with passion, purpose and grit.

Natural Connections: The pulse of a waking forest

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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 heart—it was the drumming of a ruffed grouse! I’m always amazed by how much I feel their sound instead of hearing it. In the thick of mating season, their incessant, accelerating beats have even caused a fleeting catch in my breath as they temporarily overpower my own body rhythms.

The grouse drummed again; thumping slowly at first, and then crescendoing into a rapid-fire blur. As his last vibrations dissipated into the still air, another grouse answered from a neighboring territory. The low-frequency sounds are audible from up to a quarter mile away.

Over the years, we’ve employed several explanations of how ruffed grouse create this sound. Because male grouse often display from atop a hollow log, perhaps they created the sound by actually hitting the log with their wings. Or, since they also display on rocks, mounds of soil, or prominent roots, perhaps the sounds come from the wings striking together behind the birds’ back, like a spruce grouse. Those explanations were discredited in part due to some fuzzy photographs of captive Ruffed Grouse by Professor C.F. Hodge of Clark University in the early 1900s.

H.E. Tuttle spent many days in blinds observing drumming grouse from 1910 to 1918, and published his findings in the American Ornithologists’ Union journal, The Auk. Tuttle examined Hodge’s photos and agreed that the sound did not come from wings beating together. He posed the possibility that rudimentary air sacs contribute to the sound (as in the displays of greater sage-grouse).

One theory he dismissed heartily was that the drumming sounds were produced the same way as a grouse’s noisy flight. He described it as “an unsatisfactory explanation of that far-away throbbing challenge which steals on the ear so subtly, like the half heard beating of one’s own heart.”

As in many realms of science, when technology improved, so did our explanations and accuracy. In the 1920s, Arthur Allen of Cornell University used a new-fangled contraption to shoot motion-picture footage of the grouse. By slowing down the movement, he ruled out every explanation except the one that we currently accept.

On the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “All About Birds” website today, you can read the result of their founder’s research: “The male Ruffed Grouse’s signature drumming display doesn’t involve drumming on anything but air. As the bird quickly rotates its wings forward and backward, air rushes in beneath the wings creating a miniature vacuum that generates a deep, thumping sound wave…”

That miniature thunderclap sends “the blood sap pulsing quicker along the veins…” (Tuttle again) not only for humans, but also for the lady grouse. She can probably differentiate between different males, since the number and rate of pulses in each bout of drumming is unique to each individual.

Tuttle noted that if he rustled the leaves in his blind to sound like the dainty footsteps of an approaching female grouse, the male would drum instantly, and also flare his name-sake ruff of neck feathers. Once he’s able to attract a female with this huge output of energy, copulation lasts only a few seconds. The female then wanders off to build a ground nest and raise the chicks completely on her own.

Hiking down the trail, we found many clusters of sawdust-filled grouse droppings. Those piles marked where they had digested tree buds and catkins on sub-zero nights while buried snugly in a snowdrift. In one balsam thicket we heard—but did not see—the whirr of a grouse’s startled explosion into flight. We have to admire the tenacity of these year-round residents, even if we sometimes chuckle at their lack of grace.

Now, as the days lengthen with the promise of spring, we can also appreciate how grouses’ drumming seems to jump-start the pulse of a waking forest.

Author’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015.

Emily’s award-winning second book, Natural Connections: Dreaming of an Elfin Skimmer, is available to purchase at www.cablemuseum.org/books and at your local independent bookstore, too.

For more than 50 years, the Cable Natural History Museum has served to connect you to the Northwoods. Our Summer Calendar is open for registration! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and cablemuseum.org to see what we are up to.

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

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(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 timber procurement and relationships with government officials. Schultz also served as director of the Idaho Department of Lands, overseeing management of several million acres of endowment lands and minerals. Previous leadership roles in Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation illustrate the breadth of his experience in sustainable forest management. 

RGS & AWS, which has dozens of habitat project agreements across national forests, commended Schultz’s appointment. 

“Tom Schultz is someone who gets it,” said RGS & AWS President and CEO Ben Jones. “He understands firsthand the importance of active forest management and what it takes to manage lands in the public trust. He has been integrally involved in forest products and appreciates their role in the health and vitality of forests, wildlife and our communities.” 

The U.S. Forest Service oversees stewardship of 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. Schultz’s leadership will play a pivotal role in promoting forest health, enhancing wildlife habitats and supporting rural communities through sustainable land management practices. 

“National forests are so important to our people,” continued Jones. “We spend invaluable time there making memories with our families, our friends, our bird dogs. We see the incredible potential on these lands, and we have an active part to play in their stewardship. 

“We at RGS & AWS are motivated by the many great people at the U.S. Forest Service who work with us, day in and day out,” Jones stated. “As a trusted partner, we strive to help the Forest Service overcome obstacles and to build capacity for efficient forest management. We are committed to being part of the solution.” 

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Schultz’s appointment effective immediately, the day following resignation of former Forest Service Chief Randy Moore.  

About the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society 

RGS & AWS unites conservationists to improve wildlife habitat and forest health for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and ALL forest wildlife. We promote forest stewardship for our forests, our wildlife and our future. Backed by our community of passionate conservationist members, RGS & AWS employs a network of forestry management professionals to work alongside public and private stakeholders. The tenets of sound science in wildlife and forestry have guided RGS & AWS for over 60 years and onward.  

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