11/21/18
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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.
[Read more…] about Ruffed Grouse Endangered Listing10/16/18
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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.
[Read more…] about RGS Reports 2018 National Grouse & Woodcock Hunt Results08/09/18
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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.
[Read more…] about RGS & AWS Provide Testimony Regarding Proposed Early Closure of WI Ruffed Grouse Season06/14/18
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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.
[Read more…] about Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Welcome Benjamin C. Jones as New President and CEO
Back when I ran a state deer program, I came to know CWD – the acronym for Chronic Wasting Disease – to also stand for Career Wasting Disease. I don’t recall where I first heard it, but I saw plenty enough evidence for this reference to stick in my mind. Wildlife managers found their attention and budgets consumed by CWD in every state where it was discovered. Managing habitat, conducting wildlife surveys, and engaging with the public on any topic OTHER than CWD all struggled to compete for time and resources. Why? Because wildlife agencies everywhere are fully aware that the emergence and spread of this always fatal deer disease presents an incredible threat to wildlife management in the United States.
[Read more…] about Don’t Let Chronic Wasting Disease Kill Conservation
“I have read many definitions of what is a conservationist, and written not a few myself, but I suspect that the best one is written not with a pen, but with an axe. It is a matter of what a man thinks about while chopping, or while deciding what to chop. A conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke he is writing his signature on the face of his land.”
[Read more…] about PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: What are “Healthy Forests”?By Brent A. Rudolph, Ph.D., RGS & AWS Director of Conservation Policy
A number of provisions favorable to hunters and healthy forests await the President’s signature later today…
On December 1, we released a National Update, asking our supporters to ask Congress for a budgetary fix to help the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) deal with out of control annual fire suppression costs. On January 12, we followed up right here on the RGS/AWS blog, identifying a number of provisions that could address the “fire borrowing” problem, including passing the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (WDFA), H.R. 2862 and S. 1842.
[Read more…] about C’mon President Trump . . . #FixOurForest03/06/18
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451 McCormick Rd
Coraopolis PA 15108
412-262-4044
Coraopolis, PA – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) was honored to maintain a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. The 4-star rating is a result of RGS continuing to maintain sound fiscal management practices and a commitment to accountability and transparency in efforts to preserve sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and many other forest wildlife species.
[Read more…] about Ruffed Grouse Society Maintains 4-Star Charity Rating03/05/18
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For Immediate Release
Partnership with the USDA – NRCS and WI DNR improves forest wildlife habitat on private lands
Coraopolis, PA – Healthy forests are the centerpiece of the Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) mission, and their importance is recognized by multiple other conservation organizations. RGS/AWS has entered into a novel partnership with the U. S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR), collaboratively supporting two new, full-time staff dedicated to forest habitat development on private lands in Wisconsin. This coordination enables sharing of skills and resources to impact forest management and conservation beyond what would be possible by each partner organization alone.
[Read more…] about RGS/AWS Hire Two New Wisconsin Forest Wildlife Specialists
By Matt Soberg, RGS & AWS Editor & Director of Communications
Now is your window to help RGS & AWS create healthy forests and increase the voice for the future of grouse and woodcock – New member drive ends April 1!
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I was flying to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home of the Ruffed Grouse Society headquarters, watching a movie on my smartphone through the GoGo entertainment app offered by Delta, when I heard a character say, “Give me a window, that’s all I need.”
[Read more…] about EDITOR NOTE: GIVE ME A WINDOW . . . That’s all I need . . .
