![](https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Season-Opener_Event-Page-e1724438435331.png)
Join us in celebrating the upcoming hunting season and 10 years of the American Woodcock Society (AWS) and Michigan Grouse Enhanced Management Sites (MI GEMS) in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Participants will enjoy a full day of presentations and demonstrations to prepare themselves and their dogs for the 2024 hunting season.
2024 Season Kickoff 10 Years of AWS & Michigan Gems Celebration AgendaÂ
- Registration Opens: 9:30 a.m.
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Seminars and Demonstrations
- 10:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Dog Nutrition and Season Prep Basics
- 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Grouse Dog Q&A: Michael Mapes Second Chance Birddogs
- 12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m. Break
- 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
- 12:15 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. – 10 Year Anniversary of AWS/Habitat Update: Gabe Stone
- 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – 10 Years of MI GEMS: Adam Bump MI DNR
- 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Grouse and Woodcock Habitat Walk: Bruce Barlow MI DNR
- 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Break
- 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Seminars and Demonstrations
- 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Tick management & Field and Truck First Aid Kits: Scott Smith DVM
- 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Upland Shotgunning, Patterning and Firearm Care: Del Whitman
- 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – How to Handle Birds for Upland Taxidermy: Chad Donahue
- 5:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Break
- 5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Upland Game Cooking Demo: Joe Swanky – The Michigan Upland Experience
- 5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Dinner Grill-Out/ Social Hour – Blake Grill Out Dinner
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Upland Trivia: Ron Boehme – The Hunting Dog Podcast
- 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Social
Cost:Â
$50 per attendee. Lunch and dinner included.
 Sponsorships Available:
Aspen Sponsor: $1,000Â Oak Sponsor: $500Â Â Alder Sponsor: $250Â Hazel Sponsor: $100Â
REGISTER ONLINE
EVENT FLYER
(Please note: this event’s flyer and ticket site are still being created. Thank you.)