For more than 60 years, the Ruffed Grouse Society has been dedicated to creating healthy forest habitat for the benefit of ruffed grouse and American woodcock, gamebirds that rely upon young forest habitat for survival.
On Oct. 24, 1961, Bruce R. Richardson, Jr., Seybert Beverage; and Dixie L. Shumate, Jr., incorporated The Ruffed Grouse Society of America (now RGS) in Monterey, Virginia. To achieve its mission, RGS grounds its work in scientific research on the habitat needs of ruffed grouse and woodcock. RGS-supported research exploring the dynamics of forest growth has been the key to developing effective forest wildlife habitat improvement methods.
Under current leadership and strategic action, we’ve exponentially increased our impact and effectiveness in habitat funding delivery.
Success in advancing our mission relies on an engaged, forward-looking membership, including strategic leadership at the chapter level.
1961 – The Ruffed Grouse Society of America is incorporated in Monterey, Virginia
1971 – The Ruffed Grouse Society of America changes name to Ruffed Grouse Society
1977 – RGS reorganizes, dramatically expands its fundraising program and increases conservation impacts
2014 – The American Woodcock Society is created to support and expand already successful RGS American woodcock conservation efforts
2021 – RGS celebrates 60th anniversary
2024 – AWS celebrates 10th anniversary
On Feb. 15, 2014, the American Woodcock Society was created to expand existing RGS efforts while advancing habitat creation and membership reach to additional members. While grouse and woodcock share similar habitats, they don’t coexist across all landscapes. AWS’s goals are to advance forest management and mission outreach to states that may not have a grouse population, focusing on the southern U.S., where the majority of American woodcock spend the winter months. AWS celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2024.
