by Jeff Helsdon
The new coordinator for RGS Canada brings a passion for upland birds and enhancing their habitat to his position.
Chris Madej started as Canadian coordinator last fall.
“I first heard of the Ruffed Grouse Society 1989 while working in Toronto,” he recounted. “I joined a few years later to learn more about grouse hunting and habitat. In those days, I spent many fall weekends driving north in pursuit of grouse. I was a late bloomer, starting hunting in my mid-30s. I told my family and friends I needed more exercise and also got a Brittany to help me with that.”
Since then, Madej has turned into a dedicated grouse hunter and has kept a daily journal of his hunts for 25 years. He now hunts with a wirehaired pointing griffon named Zosia.
Professionally, Madej worked in the municipal world as a land use planner and chief administrative officer. He moved to the Muskoka area in 2001 to escape the city.
“Here was a better balance of life and work. We never regretted it a minute,” he said.
After retiring, he decided to apply for the Canadian coordinator position.
“Now retired and free to pursue my many outdoor interests, I decided to become more active in RGS Canada after seeing too many lifeless forests and fewer and fewer grouse and hearing the same from other hunters,” he said.
Madej has already made a difference since he has taken the helm. There are several new chapters on the verge of starting and he has enhanced the organizational structure of RGS Canada. “Many wildlife populations we enjoy today in Canada, and the United States, are here because of the efforts of hunters as conservationists,” said Madej. “I grew up in Windsor, Ontario and remember school field trips to the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Kingsville. I hope the grouse hunters of today will be able to leave a legacy Jack would be proud of. I’m trying and working with others to do the same. We owe it to our descendants and those hunters who may follow us through new grouse coverts.”
