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A Legacy Framed Through the Lens

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Timothy C. Flanigan 4/10/1945 – 6/6/26 The upland conservation community lost one of its most gifted storytellers with the passing of Timothy C. Flanigan. An award-winning photographer, accomplished writer and mentor, Tim dedicated countless hours to sharing the beauty of grouse and woodcock through his lens and his words. His generosity, talent and passion left an immeasurable mark on our organization and the outdoor community. Tim was more than a contributor to RGS & AWS. He was a trusted friend, generously sharing his remarkable photography, writing and books with the organization simply because he believed in the mission. Time and again, he...

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RGS & AWS Joins Memorandum of Understanding Supporting Wildlife-Based Recreational Access

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The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society has joined the U.S. Forest Service, Boone and Crockett Club and fellow conservation organizations in supporting a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) focused on advancing public access, wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities across National Forest System lands. The agreement highlighted a shared commitment to sustaining and enhancing access for hunting, angling and other wildlife-based recreational activities while supporting habitat stewardship, conservation education and active forest management. Under the framework of the MOU, the Boone and Crockett Club will convene collaborating partners to identify, develop and implement opportunities that improve recreational access on public...

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RESEARCH CONFIRMS RUFFED GROUSE CAN SURVIVE WEST NILE VIRUS INFECTION

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Providing High-Quality Habitat may be our Best Option to Protect Ruffed Grouse by Ashley Peters Bird hunters in Minnesota provided scientists with hundreds of ruffed grouse samples throughout 2018 and 2019. These samples were then tested for active West Nile Virus (WNV) infection and antibodies indicating infection with WNV. The results of that study were published earlier this year in The Journal of Wildlife Diseases.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. Humans can catch WNV through mosquito bites, which can cause flu-like symptoms. However, WNV isn’t usually lethal...

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Stewart Makes Huge Contributions to Grouse and Woodcock During Career

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By Jeff Helsdon When Al Stewart was 12, he started woodcock hunting. Little did he imagine his passion would turn into a remarkable career. Al retired on April 1, 2021, as the State of Michigan’s Upland Game Bird Specialist and program leader. His career with Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources spanned an incredible 50 years – from student to retirement – with more than 20 as Upland Game Bird Specialist. Al made his mark in the upland bird world, not only in Michigan but continentally and internationally. It seems only natural Al came to upland game birds. His first experience with upland hunting...

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Great Lakes/Upper Midwest Featured Habitat Projects

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Jon Steigerwaldt | RGS & AWS Forest Conservation Director – Great Lakes/Upper Midwest In Support of Land Acquisition “Land, they haven’t found a way to make that out of plastic yet.” These were the words I was left with after a recent conversation with a Chippewa Valley Wisconsin Chapter member of RGS on the scarcity of land and the need to conserve it. That conversation got me thinking more and more about the support RGS & AWS provides to organizations and agencies for their land acquisition goals and endeavors. Support isn’t always seen by our members, but it’s incredibly important to highlight conservation...

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Restoring the role of American elm in Upper Midwest Forests

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Written by:Linda Haugen Plant Pathologist State and Private ForestryUS Forest Service – Eastern Region RGS & AWS is committed to developing and maintaining healthy forests, including involvement in the restoration of tree species that have been affected by invasive pests. In 2020, RGS & AWS supported the determination of the nonregulated status for the Darling 58 American chestnut, a blight-tolerant American chestnut that could maintain all of its natural traits, 100% of its original genes, and resume its original ecological niche since the destruction wrought by chestnut blight. Without human intervention, the American chestnut was on the brink of...

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