Western Great Lakes:
RGS & AWS Highlights
Do you want to see grouse and woodcock prosper in this region?
Promotion ends in:Â
2025 Giving Tuesday Regional Update:
Some Great Lakes states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are well known for the bounty of grouse, woodcock, and forest wildlife. These states are leading the pack when it comes to population estimates and enthusiasm for wildlife pursuits like hunting, photography, and wildlife watching. However, we’re seeing steep declines elsewhere in the Midwest. States like Indiana, Ohio, and Iowa hardly have grouse to speak of today and we know this is because of a steep decline in suitable habitat.Â
Regional Impact:
Project Profiles:
Regional Staff:
Jon Steigerwaldt
Forest Conservation Director
(412) 720-6033
jons@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Brett Edstrom
Director of Regional Development
(507) 993-5432
brette@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Scott Johnson
Forest Conservation Coordinator (Minnesota)
(412) 860-3481
scottj@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Jared Elm
Forest Conservation Coordinator (Wisconsin)
(715) 450-2531
jarede@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Jeremy Collard
Regional Engagement Coordinator
(MN, IA, WA)
JeremyC@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Luke Statz
Regional Engagement Coordinator
(WI, Western U.P.)
LukeS@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Seth Finkel
Western UP Project Coordinator
(412) 735-3674
sethf@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Stefan Nelson
Forest Wildlife Specialist
Minnesota
(412) 935-5906
stefann@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Ashley Strabel
Forest Wildlife Specialist
(920) 413-9702
ashleys@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Robert Nortman
Forest Wildlife Specialist – RGS/NRCS
Robert.Nortman@usda.gov
Amelia Shingle
Forest Wildlife Specialist – Wisconsin
amelias@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Emma Belling
Forest Wildlife Specialist
emmalineb@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Forest Wildlife Specialist
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 450-2531
(715) 635-8288
jarede@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Stefan Nelson
Forest Wildlife Specialist
Antigo, WI 54409
(715) 623-5318
(715) 216-6981
stefann@ruffedgrousesociety.
Forest Wildlife Specialist
Whitehall, WI 54773
(715) 538-4396
(715) 533-0442
joshr@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Subscribe to this region:
We will update your contact profile with these preferences.
Please check all regions of interest.
Is this page helpful?
Upcoming Events:
Chippewa Valley Chapter 38th Annual Conservation Banquet
Eau Claire,WisconsinFebruary 19, 2026 05:30pm
Rum River Chapter 30th Annual Conservation Banquet
Braham,MinnesotaMarch 07, 2026 05:00pm
North Central Minnesota Chapter Pint Night
Bemidji,MinnesotaMarch 11, 2026 04:00pm
Get Involved!
IA
IOWA
Jeremy Collard
Dubuque, IA
jeremyc@ruffedgrousesociety.org
MI
Copper Country
Greg Putman President
Houghton, MI
gregoryallenputman@gmail.com
MI
MID U.P.
Gabe Stone
Marquette, MI
gabes@ruffedgrousesociety.org
MI
SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN
Gabe Stone
Kalamazoo, MI
gabes@ruffedgrousesociety.org
MI
THUNDER BAY
Gabe Stone
Alpena, MI
gabes@ruffedgrousesociety.org
MN
CRAZY FLIGHT
Jeremy Collard
Ely, MN
jeremyc@ruffedgrousesociety.org
MN
DAVID SALSMAN
Jeremy Collard
Virginia, MN
jeremyc@ruffedgrousesociety.org
MN
DEEP PORTAGE
Jerry B Lamon
Hackensack, MN
MN
DULUTH/SUPERIOR
Nick Larson
Duluth, MN
nick@birdshotpodcast.com
MN
GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
Marty Niewind
Grand Rapids, MN
marty.n@mchsi.com
MN
NORTH SHORE
Jeremy Collard
Grand Marais, MN
jeremyc@ruffedgrousesociety.org
MN
NORTHCENTRAL MINNESOTA
Karl Leisenheimer
Bemidji, MN
bemidjirgs@gmail.com
MN
TWIN CITIES MINNESOTA
Rudy Tilford
Minneapolis, MN
tilford1984@gmail.com
MN
VOYAGEUR
James & Joann Dornhecker
International Falls, MN
lacey24@frontier.com
MN
Red River Valley Chapter
Brian Hanson
Crookston, MN
bhanson@crookston.mn.us
MN
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Chuck Lindner
Warroad, MN
clindner@wiktel.com
MN
DRUMMING LOG
Jeremy Collard
Brainerd, MN
jeremyc@ruffedgrousesociety.org
MN
BLACKDUCK
Jeremy Collard
Blackduck, MN
jeremyc@ruffedgrousesociety.org
MN
Driftless Chapter
Mark Benscoter
Rochester, MN
rgsdriftlesschapter@gmail.com
MN
AITKIN AREA
Nick Wenzel
Aitkin, MN
Nwenzel34@gmail.com
MN
ASH RIVER
Jeremy Collard
Orr, MN
jeremyc@ruffedgrousesociety.org
WI
NICOLET WILD RIVER
Craig Williams
Crandon, WI
williams10675@frontiernet.net
WI
NORTHEASTERN WISCONSIN
Gabe Stone
Green Bay, WI
gabes@ruffedgrousesociety.org
WI
RIB MOUNTAIN
Luke Statz
Wausau, WI
lukes@ruffedgrousesociety.org
WI
SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN
Gabe Stone
Muscoda, WI
gabes@ruffedgrousesociety.org
WI
WISCONSIN RIVER
Jon Long
Tomahawk, WI
jonlongrealestate@gmail.com
WI
MISSI-CROIX
Mike Brown
Prescott, WI
missicroixrgs@gmail.com
WI
MARINETTE COUNTY
Robert Zutter & Jim Hartman
Marinette, WI
hartmans5@yahoo.com
WI
GOLDEN SANDS
Brent Catura
Stevens Point, WI
brcatura@gmail.com
WI
FLAMBEAU RIVER
Tony Blattler
Park Falls, WI
blattler56@gmail.com
WI
CHIPPEWA VALLEY
Geoff Roznak
Eau Claire, WI
groznak@charter.net
WI
DAVID V. UIHLEIN – Fall
Paul E. Seul
Milwaukee, WI
paul@monches.net
WI
DAVID V. UIHLEIN – Spring
Paul E. Seul
Milwaukee, WI
paul@monches.net
WI
LAKE SHORE
Dave Lukaszewski
Sheboygan, WI
Rgsdave.dl@gmail.com
WI
WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN
Jamie Kuhn
Marshfield/Neillsville, WI
griffman@tds.net
WI
WILDERNESS WINGS
Phillip Johnson
Hayward, WI
spilldog1@me.com
WI
CHAIN O’LAKES
Jed Lechleitner
Eagle River, WI
jedlech@gmail.com
WI
JOHN M. KEENER
Brad Wagner
Madison, WI
brad.wagner@charter.net
