A recent episode of the MeatEater Podcast takes a thoughtful look at a question many upland hunters and conservationists are asking: What does the future hold for ruffed grouse and American woodcock?
In Episode 845, host Steven Rinella explores the challenges facing these iconic upland birds and the landscapes they depend on. The episode also features insights from RGS & AWS VP of Conservation, Karl Malcolm, who discusses the critical role healthy, diverse forests play in sustaining grouse and woodcock populations.
The conversation highlights how changes in forest age structure across the eastern U.S. have reduced the amount of early successional habitat – the dense young forest cover that grouse and woodcock rely on for nesting, brood rearing and protection from predators.
For generations, ruffed grouse and woodcock thrived in forests shaped by natural disturbances and active land stewardship by people. Today, many forests are aging at the same time, leaving fewer areas with the young growth that supports a wide range of wildlife species. Restoring that habitat requires intentional forest management, collaboration among conservation partners and continued advocacy for science-based stewardship of public and private lands.
That work is already underway across the birds’ range. Through partnerships with state and federal agencies, private landowners, donors, local volunteers and a community of conservation partners, RGS & AWS continues to advance projects that create and maintain young forest habitat through sustainable forestry practices.
Healthy forests don’t just benefit grouse and woodcock. Diverse forest conditions support dozens of plant and wildlife species, from songbirds to pollinators to white-tailed deer, while also improving long-term resilience.
Episodes like this help bring broader attention to the importance of active forest stewardship – and reinforce the connections among healthy forests, healthy people wildlife conservation and the future of upland hunting.
To support RGS & AWS’ and our ongoing efforts to improve forest habitats for future generations, visit Ruffed.org.Â
