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Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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Ruffed Grouse Habitat | Cost Share Planting for Private Landowners

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How You Can Improve Grouse Habitat on Your Property

I’ve always loved the idea of leaving a legacy. Not for fame or glory, by any means, but for something simpler. Being a biologist and a hunter, I fell in love with the idea of bringing my in-law’s property to its maximum wildlife potential. Over the years, we’ve cleared some wildlife openings, built brush piles, planted trails and food plots, and pruned dozens of apple trees. But I wanted to take it further by shaping it into a carefully planned grouse paradise, with the hope that my kids would someday enjoy it. 

[Read more…] about Ruffed Grouse Habitat | Cost Share Planting for Private Landowners

Following RGS/AWS Comments, Fish and Wildlife Service to Open Woodcock Hunting on Erie National Wildlife Refuge – RGS

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On Tuesday, September 10, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced a final rule to open or expand hunting opportunities on a number of National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) as of the 2019-2020 hunting season.

During the public comment period as part of this regulatory review, the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) submitted Federal Register comments on August 12 asking for Erie NWR to be opened up for hunting American woodcock. Providing this opportunity for woodcock hunting was among the changes made by the Service, though only up to 40% of the area within NWRs may be made available for migratory bird hunting.

[Read more…] about Following RGS/AWS Comments, Fish and Wildlife Service to Open Woodcock Hunting on Erie National Wildlife Refuge – RGS

RGS Biologist Jon Steigerwaldt joins On The Wing Podcast -RGS

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RGS/AWS biologist Jon Steigerwaldt recently joined Bob St. Pierre, host of On The Wing Podcast for an episode about ruffed grouse habitat and hunting. The two were also joined by Jason Meekhoff of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Nick Larson, host of the Project Upland Podcast.

All avid ruffed grouse hunters, the host and guests discuss ruffed grouse hunting, habitat, conservation and the relationship that all of their organizations share.

To Listen | On The Wing Podcast – Episode #44

2018 Annual Report | Taking Stock

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READ Full Version | 2018 Annual Report

Last April, the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Executive Board and I had our first conversation—the first of many. Initially, the CEO interview brought us together. By the end of that discussion, it was clear we were converging on much more in our conservation pathways.

[Read more…] about 2018 Annual Report | Taking Stock

The Ruffed Grouse Struggle is Real in Indiana…

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Photo Credit | Steve Oehlenschlager

On October 31, 2018, the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) submitted a letter in response to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife (IN DNR) Rule Ideas for the 2018 Got INput Period in support of adding ruffed grouse to the list of endangered species of birds in Indiana.

[Read more…] about The Ruffed Grouse Struggle is Real in Indiana…

Ben Jones featured on East To West Hunting Podcast

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Earlier this month, RGS/AWS President & CEO, Ben Jones was featured on the East To West Hunting podcast.

Joining host Todd Waldron, the two discuss all things RGS/AWS from wildlife and habitat conservation to recruiting new upland bird hunters.

[Read more…] about Ben Jones featured on East To West Hunting Podcast

New Jersey Grouse Season Closure

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Ruffed Grouse - Photo Credit: Steve Oehlenschlager
Photo Credit: Steve Oehlenschlager

At their regular meeting on July 17, the New Jersey Fish and Game Council unanimously voted to close the ruffed grouse hunting season statewide.

The Ruffed Grouse Society was disheartened to hear of the New Jersey ruffed grouse hunting season closure announced last week. The NJ Department of Fish & Wildlife’s population monitoring clearly justifies the move. Ruffed grouse are a bellwether of forest health. Their decline mirrors that of other forest wildlife in New Jersey including golden-winged warbler, blue-winged warbler, cerulean warbler, wood thrush, and American woodcock.

[Read more…] about New Jersey Grouse Season Closure

The Scientific Impact of West Nile on Ruffed Grouse

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Written by: Lisa Williams, PA Game Commission

Photo Credit: Steve Oehlenschlager

Conclusive Evidence that West Nile and Habitat Loss can Spell Disaster for Ruffed Grouse

Republication with permission, the below article was originally written for the Pennsylvania Game Commission News publication. Written by Lisa Williams, PA Game Commission ruffed grouse biologist, Lisa Williams, and originally titled, “Ruffed Tumble – Changing Times for Grouse.” The article explores the most current research, understanding and impacts of West Nile Virus and Habitat on Ruffed Grouse in Pennsylvania.

[Read more…] about The Scientific Impact of West Nile on Ruffed Grouse

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: What are “Healthy Forests”?

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Pres Msg

            “I have read many definitions of what is a conservationist, and written not a few myself, but I suspect that the best one is written not with a pen, but with an axe. It is a matter of what a man thinks about while chopping, or while deciding what to chop. A conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke he is writing his signature on the face of his land.”

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C’mon President Trump . . . #FixOurForest

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By Brent A. Rudolph, Ph.D., RGS & AWS Director of Conservation Policy

A number of provisions favorable to hunters and healthy forests await the President’s signature later today…

Pen (2560x2560) (1280x1280)

On December 1, we released a National Update, asking our supporters to ask Congress for a budgetary fix to help the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) deal with out of control annual fire suppression costs. On January 12, we followed up right here on the RGS/AWS blog, identifying a number of provisions that could address the “fire borrowing” problem, including passing the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (WDFA), H.R. 2862 and S. 1842.

[Read more…] about C’mon President Trump . . . #FixOurForest