RGS

Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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Ruffed Grouse in Appalachia: Insights from Dr. Ben Jones on PBS

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Dr. Ben Jones, CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society, recently appeared in a PBS feature exploring long-term ruffed grouse population declines across Appalachia. The segment highlights the bird’s diminishing presence in many Pennsylvania forests and examines the ecological changes that have shaped current habitat conditions. Dr. Jones provides insight into why these trends matter and how forest composition, management practices and landscape scale decisions influence grouse populations over time. Drawing on decades of research and on-the-ground experience, Dr. Jones discusses how science continues to inform habitat-focused solutions aimed at rebuilding resilient forest ecosystems. The PBS feature underscores...

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Dr. Karl Malcolm Discusses Conservation Priorities on Dan Small Outdoors Radio

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Dr. Karl Malcolm, Vice President of Conservation for the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society, recently joined Dan Small Outdoors Radio to share an update on the conservation priorities guiding RGS & AWS work today. The conversation focused on forest habitat conditions, science-backed management practices and how active stewardship supports grouse, woodcock and the broader wildlife community that depends on healthy working forests. During the interview, Dr. Malcolm highlights how collaboration with landowners, partners and local communities plays a central role in advancing habitat work across the region. He also discusses the long-term vision behind current initiatives and why thoughtful...

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Tick Talk: Tracking birds, not bacteria — protecting dogs and hunters in the grouse woods

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by Tom Keer The seaside woodcock cover lay at the bottom of the lowlands and right below the dunes where the mooncussers walked. Coastal regions get more rain than snow, and that moisture is why the woodcock – those original shorebirds – were searching here for worms. Ticks liked the moisture, too, and that’s the challenge of running dogs on spring woodcock. Those several weeks of training pay big dividends come fall, but they can come with a cost – Lyme disease. I’m proud of the fact that not a single one of my dogs has ever contracted Lyme disease and,...

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Collaborative Project to Improve 100 Acres of Wildlife Habitat on North Carolina’s National Forests

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First published, June 9, 2023 – updated on May 30,2025.Agreement Narrative: Collaboration to maintain, restore and enhance forest conditions and wildlife habitat on the National Forests in North Carolina. Primary Funder: USDA Forest Service Location: Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina Overview: The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) and the National Forests in North Carolina (NFsNC) have mutual interest in efforts to improve habitat and forest health across the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. RGS & AWS and NFsNC will exchange personnel, funding and other resources, in matters relating to sustainable forest management, forest health and ecosystem restoration, the...

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Book Review: On the Wing: A Lifetime Afield with Shotgun and Dogs

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by Glen R. Blackwood On the Wing: A Lifetime Afield with Shotgun and DogsSoft cover editionAuthor: E. Donnall Thomas Jr.ISBN: 979-8-218-36429-8DonThomasBooks.comRetail Price $26 As an author of more than 20 previous sporting books and numerous magazine submissions based upon his days afield, E. Donnall Thomas Jr. understands the components of strong sporting writing. His new self-published soft-bound book, “On the Wing: A Lifetime Afield with Shotgun and Dogs,” continues to fit this mold. The stories found within the book’s covers feature not only game birds and gun dogs, but a strong dose of wilderness – whether it’s a tale of ptarmigan or…

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Outdoors Groups Unite to Support U.S. Forest Service as Helene Recovery Work Continues 

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A broad coalition of prominent outdoors groups, led by the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society and representing thousands of hunters, anglers, conservationists and other public lands users, is underscoring the importance of science-based forest management and the critical role of the U.S. Forest Service in managing national forests lands impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. “Our groups remain committed as partners and users of our national forests to contribute to healthy forests for generations to come,” the groups stated in a letter to James Melonas, forest supervisor of national forests in North Carolina. “We support the Forest Service in a…

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