tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40369510610465350042024-03-18T23:02:13.923-05:00RuffedGrouseHunter.comtimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-54636947482128729282021-10-26T13:53:00.002-05:002021-10-26T13:58:49.364-05:007 1/2 & 8 shot shells in stock at Woodbury Cabela's<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfREKpbWJr8FvuVq6tD9H0JBkjuGltMCQDSlTYQqhDlCYx4Gl2XCznAmwtZ-fS4emfVq4etx-eul-aEJcE1vPSuKgVOvoNiEH2XMKgfhIsmDji0KoRASSz-V8sKVK682dJhr_rCMo-JU/s2048/IMG_2943.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfREKpbWJr8FvuVq6tD9H0JBkjuGltMCQDSlTYQqhDlCYx4Gl2XCznAmwtZ-fS4emfVq4etx-eul-aEJcE1vPSuKgVOvoNiEH2XMKgfhIsmDji0KoRASSz-V8sKVK682dJhr_rCMo-JU/w480-h640/IMG_2943.HEIC" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Was in Cabela's Woodbury picking up an order and decided to check on the ammo supply and they had some that could work for grouse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div><br /><p></p>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tim2020-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07C7K8H33&asins=B07C7K8H33&linkId=a3fdfbd4da9c767aa09238a1bb1b14e8&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff">
</iframe>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tim2020-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0811731227&asins=0811731227&linkId=7981340678cb4240ab38568ad30ab797&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff">
</iframe>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tim2020-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1559710128&asins=1559710128&linkId=518bdf7947963cb0ddd2e35290bf8bd8&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff">
</iframe>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tim2020-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B073XTBKYF&asins=B073XTBKYF&linkId=17512f10471007b6f2432a8d28aa006d&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff">
</iframe>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tim2020-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00J78FDH6&asins=B00J78FDH6&linkId=61c1f2f460deaed9f19d761e788e7303&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff">
</iframe>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tim2020-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00CPSO6TQ&asins=B00CPSO6TQ&linkId=b42d37a006057e0395e95a9c1608b4e6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff">
</iframe>
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-21572891613644450162021-07-29T15:15:00.001-05:002021-07-29T15:15:06.066-05:00 MN 2021 Ruffed grouse counts down from last year <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdoRzWenHjZkljJreuWYG7lShKM8qt41FoNsfTSJzwAoLG1jGEjs1AslvcF0778EKUyD1Lc4qCIcqAda_CU48rNxryHgVzT_lKuFSL1dPbtqJ5H9RAtsQwq6-XwkpmYpnm3WJgioWoM4/s373/Screen+Shot+2021-07-29+at+3.03.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="364" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdoRzWenHjZkljJreuWYG7lShKM8qt41FoNsfTSJzwAoLG1jGEjs1AslvcF0778EKUyD1Lc4qCIcqAda_CU48rNxryHgVzT_lKuFSL1dPbtqJ5H9RAtsQwq6-XwkpmYpnm3WJgioWoM4/w390-h400/Screen+Shot+2021-07-29+at+3.03.55+PM.png" width="390" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Minnesota’s
ruffed grouse spring population counts are down from last year as
expected during the declining phase of the species’ 10-year cycle — a
predictable pattern recorded for 72 years. Although peaks vary from
eight to 11 years apart, the most recent peak in the cycle occurred in
2017.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Ruffed
grouse populations are surveyed by counting the number of male ruffed
grouse heard drumming on established routes throughout the state’s
forested regions. Drumming is a low sound produced by males as they beat
their wings rapidly and in increasing frequency to signal the location
of their territory. Drumming displays also attract females that are
ready to begin nesting.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The
spring drumming counts are an important indicator of the ruffed grouse
breeding population. The number of birds present during the fall hunting
season also depends upon nesting success and chick survival during the
spring and summer.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">If
production of young birds is low during the summer months, hunters may
see fewer birds than expected based on counts of drumming males in the
spring. Conversely, when production of young is high, hunters may see
more birds than anticipated in the fall.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The
2021 statewide survey results for ruffed grouse were 1.3 drums per
stop. The most recent peak in 2017 was 2.1 drums per stop. During the
low point of the cycles, counts are typically about 0.8 drums per stop.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans", "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Drum
counts were 1.4 drums per stop in the northeast survey region; 1.1
drums per stop in the northwest; 0.8 drums per stop in the central
hardwoods; and 0.9 drums per stop in the southeast survey region.</p><a href="https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/wildlife/grouse/reports/ruffed/rgrouse_survey_2021.pdf" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Read the full Grouse Survey Report </b></i></u></a>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-58977456305889855282020-10-02T09:51:00.000-05:002020-10-02T09:51:17.729-05:00Focus Outdoors National Hunt MN Ruffed Grouse Hunting with RGS Video<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fVE2FNXMupQ" width="560"></iframe>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Focus Outdoors National Hunt MN Ruffed Grouse Hunting with RGS Video</span></p>
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";
amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true";
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "tim2020-20";
amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual";
amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";
amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";
amzn_assoc_region = "US";
amzn_assoc_title = "";
amzn_assoc_linkid = "5333202478896f7085b680947b842b13";
amzn_assoc_asins = "0811716503,B00J78FDH6,1940239257,B076QJGD57,0615370594,1559710128,0811731227,B005KW5E3G";
</script>
<script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-17332054491625782232020-09-24T09:42:00.016-05:002020-10-03T21:14:30.410-05:00Finding the Perfect Grouse Gun is a Lifelong Pursuit <p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUBH1qnnuNAGWxuezqOii5bz73gUQSHil_XZiNATt83wOe3qeFmFF5OIXsUVLpJYmaNO3OTnKtOaSs0-mQ7zu7aHa_or_2FOBK76bSCI_p-qC7hD2SDEjdiw4kytnTINV20vF1dlRaJk/s2048/IMG_0401.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUBH1qnnuNAGWxuezqOii5bz73gUQSHil_XZiNATt83wOe3qeFmFF5OIXsUVLpJYmaNO3OTnKtOaSs0-mQ7zu7aHa_or_2FOBK76bSCI_p-qC7hD2SDEjdiw4kytnTINV20vF1dlRaJk/w480-h640/IMG_0401.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Grouse hunters are always chasing the next great shotgun</span></p><p><span class="article_byline | align_items_center--mobile container_column container_row--desktop flex italic justify_center padding_bottom_sm--mobile text_align_center align_items_center"><span class="italic margin_right_sm"><span>A.J. DeRosa</span></span></span></p><div class="margin_vertical"><section class="content"><div><p class="paragraph | margin_bottom_lg margin_centered"><span style="font-size: large;">A
low electronic hum created an ambient sound that complemented a smell
that was a mix of what I could only guess was steel, gun oil, and
concrete well aged in this fluorescent-lit room hidden in the back of a
parking lot. The industrial metal door thumped shut like we were
barricading ourselves from a zombie apocalypse. A <a href="https://www.purdey.com/guns-rifles" target="_blank">Purdey over-under</a>
leaned against a dusty workbench to my immediate right, the surfaces
filled with what seemed like a disastrous maze of tools, parts, and who
knows what else, that with the slightest touch could send piles
cascading to the ground like an avalanche just waiting for a tipping
point. Stephen Hutton of Britannia Sporting Arms, AKA “Doc,” spoke with a
thick English accent in slow, deliberate precision to Gregg Elliot, a
gun writer, and double gun connoisseur.</span></p></div></section></div><div><p class="paragraph | margin_bottom_lg margin_centered"><span style="font-size: large;">Without delay, we soon huddled over one of Gregg’s original Fox A Grades, disassembled next to <a href="https://www.outdoorlife.com/shotgun-review-fox-grade/" target="_blank">the newer Savage Fox A Grade</a>. As I snapped pictures, Doc spoke. “Would you like me to take it down further?”</span></p><div class="margin_vertical"><section class="content"><div><p class="paragraph | margin_bottom_lg margin_centered"><span style="font-size: large;">It
was no shock what we would find. Despite their similar names, these
guns are not the same. The modern version is a rendition of <a href="https://connecticutshotgun.co/rbl-1/" target="_blank">the Connecticut RBL</a>
made more in commemoration of the original A Grade in name and looks
but not mechanics. Gregg took careful time to show me the inner tooled
workings of the original shotgun. You could see the markings of chisels
and faint memories of a fine American craftsman long gone.</span></p></div></section></div><p class="paragraph | margin_bottom_lg margin_centered"><span style="font-size: large;">On
the surface, when a grouse hunter walks out of the woods, side-by-side
in hand, grouse dog in tow, bell jingling around a modern GPS collar, it
does not look much different than 100 years ago. Yet innovation is at
every corner in the modern age. New technical fabrics, more durable and
practical boots, even the advancement of electronics have infiltrated
this timeless pursuit. It is an exciting time to be a hunter. Yet a
paradox exists in the double guns we carry. The introduction of the
Anson and Deeley action by Westley Richards in England, or more commonly
referred to as the boxlock, was invented in 1875 and as Elliot wrote in
the article <a href="https://projectupland.com/" target="_blank">The Insult That Conquered the World</a>,
“If you’ve ever fired a side-by-side or over-under, there’s a 99.9
percent chance your hands have touched one of Westley Richards’s
patents.”</span></p><div class="margin_vertical"><section class="content"><div><p class="paragraph | margin_bottom_lg margin_centered"><span style="font-size: large;">This
was not the first time I found myself looking over Elliot’s shoulder
learning the ins and outs of the double gun. We had traveled to Italy
together the year before where we spent a few days touring the Beretta
factory. This is where the paradox began to reveal itself to me. As we
looked at a 3-D printer and a perfect digital rendition of the inside of
an actual gun barrel right before our eyes, I realized there was no
bounds to how precise a double gun could be.</span></p></div></section></div><div class="padding_vertical embed"><section class="content"><h2 class="heading | margin_centered bold"><span style="font-size: large;">Getting Started on Side-by-Sides - <a href="https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/guns/finding-the-perfect-grouse-gun-is-a-lifelong-pursuit/" target="_blank"><u><i>Read the full Outdoor Life article</i></u></a></span><br /></h2><h2 class="heading | margin_centered bold"> </h2></section></div><p class="paragraph | margin_bottom_lg margin_centered"> </p><p class="paragraph | margin_bottom_lg margin_centered"> </p></div><p><span class="article_byline | align_items_center--mobile container_column container_row--desktop flex italic justify_center padding_bottom_sm--mobile text_align_center align_items_center"><span class="italic margin_right_sm"><span> </span></span></span> </p>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-70771716718264119232020-09-24T04:00:00.002-05:002020-09-24T04:00:06.162-05:00Wisconsin DNR Asks for Help from Hunters for Final Year Ruffed Grouse Study<p><span class="submitted-label" face="Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjg6DXj2PTC8dDZuDpHe9GVrX6Ss2kLl2L-A-Ab0hKsOITLHT9DhpP9XBvMSZnmWx-xHXN8Q4VxMXDREKLTCcU12XQCLJXtYCG8soKlHefbvZs8MITHNJsMTh4RMmGM7K9ArQig-EJdY/s2596/Tian_Point_Before_The_Double+2.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="2596" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjg6DXj2PTC8dDZuDpHe9GVrX6Ss2kLl2L-A-Ab0hKsOITLHT9DhpP9XBvMSZnmWx-xHXN8Q4VxMXDREKLTCcU12XQCLJXtYCG8soKlHefbvZs8MITHNJsMTh4RMmGM7K9ArQig-EJdY/w640-h298/Tian_Point_Before_The_Double+2.jpeg" title="Ruffed Grouse Point" width="640" /></a></div><span class="submitted-label" face="Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">by</span><span face="Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="name" face="Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;"><a href="https://www.wxpr.org/people/katie-thoresen" rel="author" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;">KATIE THORESEN</a></span><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">The Wisconsin DNR is in its third and final year of study looking at the impact of West Nile Virus on ruffed grouse.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">The DNR is looking into how present the virus is in the species and the effect it could have on populations.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">So far, results show the virus does not have a devastating impact on the ruffed grouse population in Wisconsin.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">“About 20 to 30 percent of the grouse that we’ve sampled have antibodies to West Nile Virus which means that they’re contracted the disease but they’re building up antibodies and flushing it out of their system and actually surviving the disease,” said DNR Assistant Upland Wildlife Ecologist Alaina Gerrits.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">The COVID-19 pandemic is complicating the final year of the study.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">Normally DNR staff would get together and assemble sample kits to hand out to hunters. They can’t do that this year because of COVID-19. But Gerrits estimates there are about 500 unused kits out there from previous years.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">“We’re just asking hunters that if you have left over kits or if you know someone who does to please send it in. Nothing in the kit expires. We felt that this was our best option instead of delaying the study or canceling it was just to try get as many samples as we could this way,” said Gerrits.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">Hunters are asked to collect a small amount of blood, a few feathers, and the heart from their harvested grouse.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">It will likely be next winter or spring before the final results of the study are available.</p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;">You can learn more about<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/ruffedgrouse.html" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168dd9; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;">ruffed grouse and the DNR's study on its website.</a></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 61, 61); color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; line-height: 1.75em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;"><a href="https://www.wxpr.org/post/dnr-asks-help-hunters-final-year-ruffed-grouse-study#stream/0" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Read the full wxpr article </b></i></u></a><br /></p><p><span class="name" face="Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0.4px;"> </span></p>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-43424078527157699252020-09-17T04:00:00.004-05:002020-09-17T11:03:51.655-05:00Outdoor Bound TV Bowen Lodge Minnesota Grouse and Woodcock Hunting Video<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u855seAsx_o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; word-spacing: 0px;">This week on Outdoor Bound TV, we get ready to hit the woods at famous Bowen Lodge in Northern Minnesota for a little October grouse and woodcock hunting with a group of friends, who gather each year, from all over the U.S., to take part in this special weekend. Come on along, as it's all about good friends, good food and great hunting.</span></span></p>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-42951469278035229752020-09-15T07:52:00.008-05:002020-09-15T09:43:54.129-05:00Minnesota ruffed grouse preview: 'Average' season in the cards, DNR wildlife managers predict<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8AvrBDIWEhK4PnTcbZbdjPTzioRpzArqZb6dQOqI-_AYs4ELQeN5mZxdS2wMlxHN_lYsSxV9WRUZt4dpQv2GxIv5mcz02Hz_bJooq2V_GcP9x6Xh6v5XORrO6Zjo1WkRp0K8X9rbDY4/s2048/IMG_1266.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8AvrBDIWEhK4PnTcbZbdjPTzioRpzArqZb6dQOqI-_AYs4ELQeN5mZxdS2wMlxHN_lYsSxV9WRUZt4dpQv2GxIv5mcz02Hz_bJooq2V_GcP9x6Xh6v5XORrO6Zjo1WkRp0K8X9rbDY4/w480-h640/IMG_1266.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f7f8fa; caret-color: rgb(84, 85, 86); color: #545556; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Written By:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="ttu" face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif" id="noLink" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1f21; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Brad Dokken</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ttu" face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif" id="noLink" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1f21; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f7f8fa; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Trying to predict ruffed grouse hunting prospects is never an exact science, given the thick wooded cover in which the birds are found, but all of the signs this year point to an average season in Minnesota – or perhaps slightly better than average.</span></span></span></p><p style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Minnesota’s season for ruffed grouse, spruce grouse and Hungarian partridge opens Saturday, Sept. 19. Sharptail season opens Sept. 19 in the Northwest Zone and Saturday, Oct. 10, in the East-central Zone.</span></p><p style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Based on spring drumming count surveys, which were abbreviated this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, surveyors from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and other cooperators tallied a statewide average of 1.6 drums per stop along their listening routes.</span></p><p style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">That’s on par with or better than the past five years with the exception of 2017, when the spring survey count was 2.1 drums per stop statewide, a number that didn’t translate into better hunting success that fall and left many DNR experts shaking their heads.</span></p><h2 style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.3; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">By the numbers</span></h2><p style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Biologists tally spring ruffed grouse abundance by following set routes and stopping to listen for the “drumming” sound male ruffs make as the birds rapidly beat their wings in an effort to attract a mate.</span></p><p style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">By region, this year’s survey tallied 1.7 drums per stop in the Northeast, which encompasses the core of Minnesota grouse range; 1.2 drums per stop in the Northwest, down from a statewide high last year of 2.1 drums per stop; and 1.2 drums per stop in the Central Hardwoods.</span></p><p style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Southeast survey region wasn’t sampled this year. The DNR didn’t conduct a sharptail survey this past spring because of the pandemic.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.grandforksherald.com/northland-outdoors/6654125-Minnesota-ruffed-grouse-preview-Average-season-in-the-cards-DNR-wildlife-managers-predict" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Read the full article for more reports and updates </b></i></u></a></span><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; font-family: "pt serif", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p><span class="ttu" face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif" id="noLink" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1f21; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f7f8fa; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="ttu" face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif" id="noLink" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1f21; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f7f8fa; caret-color: rgb(30, 31, 33); color: #1e1f21; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span> </span></p>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-50443557485528367542020-09-11T10:06:00.003-05:002020-09-11T10:07:29.969-05:00How To Miss A Ruffed Grouse - Video<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZvzaMNOhA9g" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>This is from a couple of years ago. We were hunting north of Deer River MN <br /></p>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-58054948636140261592020-08-11T11:00:00.002-05:002020-08-11T11:00:55.598-05:00Minnesota 2020 Ruffed grouse counts similar to last year <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZh4LULlVas1g4Kg1plmr4gwUHVdQJG-Xkeu6KJnnT_IqZ64vVekBsGjw-MwJB4SF8V3DDZHnRHj_sZ04TKPct5V5rc0lgM7abv8KcyjaVrmQlrvB_lY_i1W4Nurx2-v5ID6q7gB8Qs4/s1600/Tian_Point_Before_The_Double.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZh4LULlVas1g4Kg1plmr4gwUHVdQJG-Xkeu6KJnnT_IqZ64vVekBsGjw-MwJB4SF8V3DDZHnRHj_sZ04TKPct5V5rc0lgM7abv8KcyjaVrmQlrvB_lY_i1W4Nurx2-v5ID6q7gB8Qs4/s640/Tian_Point_Before_The_Double.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Minnesota’s ruffed grouse spring population counts are similar to
last year and likely are following the 10-year cycle of rise and fall—a
predictable pattern recorded for 71 years. Due to COVID-related
restrictions, this past spring’s drumming counts in southeastern
Minnesota were not conducted as planned.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As the DNR was able to
resume more field operations in May, there was still time to conduct
drumming counts in more northerly portions of the state, where grouse
breeding occurs later.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While spring drumming counts that were
conducted produced similar results as last year, only having counts from
the northern region—which has more forest and holds more grouse—likely
means the statewide index is higher than it would be if the southeastern
region was included.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some consider the ruffed grouse the “king of
game birds” because it’s a challenge to pursue, a thrill to witness on
the wing and a delicious wild game entrée when served. These birds are
native to Minnesota—the top ruffed grouse-producing state in the
coterminous United States, with millions of acres of public land for
hunters and their dogs to explore.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Drumming counts are an
indicator of the ruffed grouse breeding population. However, the number
of birds present during the fall hunting season also depends upon
nesting success and chick survival during the spring and summer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The
number of birds present during the fall hunting season also depends
upon nesting success and chick survival during the spring and summer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If
production of young birds is low during the summer months, hunters may
see fewer birds than expected based on counts of drumming males in the
spring. Conversely, when production of young is high, hunters may see
more birds in the fall.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The 2020 survey results for ruffed grouse
were 1.6 drums per stop. The averages during 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and
2019 were 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 1.5 and 1.6 respectively. Counts vary from
about 0.6 drums per stop during the years of cyclical low grouse
abundance to about 2.0 during years of high abundance.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Drum counts
were 1.7 drums per stop in the northeast survey region; counts were 1.2
drums per stop in the northwest; 1.2 drums per stop in the central
hardwoods; and no routes were completed during the appropriate survey
window in the southeast survey region.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Drumming is a low sound
produced by males as they beat their wings rapidly and in increasing
frequency to signal the location of their territory. Drumming displays
also attract females that are ready to begin nesting. Ruffed grouse
populations are surveyed by counting the number of male ruffed grouse
heard drumming on established routes throughout the state’s forested
regions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“In a typical year we have 16 cooperating organizations
providing folks to help us count grouse drumming,” Roy said. “We are
grateful to our federal and tribal partners, some of whom conducted
extra routes to get surveys completed during the pandemic.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Biologists were not able to collect sharp-tailed grouse survey data this year during the pandemic.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The
Minnesota grouse hunting season opens on Saturday, Sept. 19. More
information about ruffed grouse hunting and sampling, the grouse survey
report and West Nile virus is available on the DNR <a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/grouse/index.html">grouse hunting page</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120.182px; top: 1054.15px; transform: scaleX(1.01194);">RESULTS & DISCUSSION </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 165.188px; top: 1085.15px; transform: scaleX(1.07322);">Ruffed </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 228.392px; top: 1085.15px; transform: scaleX(1.06708);">Grouse</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120.182px; top: 1116.36px; transform: scaleX(0.995831);">Observers from </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 251.778px; top: 1116.36px; transform: scaleX(1.00067);">11 cooperating organizations</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 486.967px; top: 1116.36px; transform: scaleX(0.99307);"> surveyed</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 566.382px; top: 1116.36px; transform: scaleX(0.999264);"> 102 </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 607.395px; top: 1116.36px; transform: scaleX(0.997099);">routes </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 663.386px; top: 1116.36px; transform: scaleX(0.995367);">(80% of all routes) between </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120.182px; top: 1137.56px; transform: scaleX(0.996837);">21 </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 145.776px; top: 1137.56px; transform: scaleX(0.994873);">April </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 187.581px; top: 1137.56px; transform: scaleX(0.996631);">and </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 223.387px; top: 1137.56px; transform: scaleX(0.989141);">13 </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 248.779px; top: 1137.56px; transform: scaleX(0.985665);">May </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 288.174px; top: 1137.56px; transform: scaleX(0.996892);">2020, with 84% of northern routes completed and 42% of southern routes </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120.182px; top: 1158.55px; transform: scaleX(0.998433);">completed</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 204.785px; top: 1158.55px; transform: scaleX(0.997464);">. Most routes (</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 321.993px; top: 1158.55px; transform: scaleX(0.995441);">89%) were surveyed </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 494.198px; top: 1158.55px; transform: scaleX(0.994635);">between </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 568.59px; top: 1158.55px; transform: scaleX(0.996837);">21 </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 594.184px; top: 1158.55px; transform: scaleX(0.998306);">April and 1</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 681.989px; top: 1158.55px; transform: scaleX(0.987028);">0 May</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 731.595px; top: 1158.55px; transform: scaleX(0.999313);">, with a</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 789.794px; top: 1158.55px; transform: scaleX(0.998762);"> median</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120px; top: 117.864px; transform: scaleX(0.993166);"> survey </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 179.009px; top: 117.864px; transform: scaleX(0.999084);">date </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 220.004px; top: 117.864px; transform: scaleX(0.989541);">of May </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 279.804px; top: 117.864px; transform: scaleX(0.998115);">6, which is similar to</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 444.19px; top: 117.864px; transform: scaleX(0.996204);"> last </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 482.995px; top: 117.864px; transform: scaleX(0.989868);">year </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 523.402px; top: 117.864px; transform: scaleX(0.990296);">(May 4</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 579.411px; top: 117.864px; transform: scaleX(1.00079);">) and </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 626.423px; top: 117.864px; transform: scaleX(0.996138);">the median survey date for the </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120.018px; top: 138.858px; transform: scaleX(0.997037);">most recent 10 years</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 291.212px; top: 138.858px; transform: scaleX(0.989312);"> (May 3</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 352.226px; top: 138.858px; transform: scaleX(0.995883);">). Observers reported Excellent</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 606.018px; top: 138.858px; transform: scaleX(0.995059);"> (61%)</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 660.224px; top: 138.858px; transform: scaleX(0.998862);">, Good</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 715.222px; top: 138.858px; transform: scaleX(0.998792);"> (37%)</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 769.226px; top: 138.858px; transform: scaleX(0.997136);">, and Fair (</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 858.024px; top: 138.858px; transform: scaleX(0.990878);">2%) </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120.018px; top: 160.055px; transform: scaleX(0.995812);">survey conditions for </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 293.42px; top: 160.055px; transform: scaleX(0.996837);">95 </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 318.812px; top: 160.055px; transform: scaleX(0.999895);">routes</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 369.817px; top: 160.055px; transform: scaleX(0.996465);"> reporting conditions</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 535.03px; top: 160.055px; transform: scaleX(0.997316);">. </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120.018px; top: 202.246px; transform: scaleX(0.995035);"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120.018px; top: 202.246px; transform: scaleX(0.995035);">Statewide </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 205.615px; top: 202.246px; transform: scaleX(0.997128);">counts of ruffed grouse drums </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 454.42px; top: 202.246px; transform: scaleX(0.995623);">averaged </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 536.024px; top: 202.246px; transform: scaleX(0.997225);">1.6 dps </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 601.215px; top: 202.246px; transform: scaleX(0.996609);">(95% confidence interval = 1.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 838.41px; top: 202.246px; transform: scaleX(0.989564);">2–1.9</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.982px; top: 223.241px; transform: scaleX(0.996081);">dps</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 149.587px; top: 223.241px; transform: scaleX(0.997521);">) during 2020 </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 262.784px; top: 223.241px; transform: scaleX(0.996553);">(Figure 3)</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 342.18px; top: 223.241px; transform: scaleX(0.996942);">. Drum counts were 1.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 521.58px; top: 223.241px; transform: scaleX(0.998706);">7 (1.3–2.0</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 604.159px; top: 223.241px; transform: scaleX(0.99703);">) dps in the Northeast survey region </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.963px; top: 244.235px;">(</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 126.164px; top: 244.235px;">n</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 136.358px; top: 244.235px; transform: scaleX(0.996874);"> = 92 routes), </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 250.18px; top: 244.235px; transform: scaleX(0.984322);">1.2</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 275.572px; top: 244.235px; transform: scaleX(0.996225);"> (1.0–1.3) dps</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 388.769px; top: 244.235px; transform: scaleX(0.994307);"> in the Northwest </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 531.369px; top: 244.235px; transform: scaleX(0.996699);">survey region (</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 652.772px; top: 244.235px;">n</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 662.763px; top: 244.235px; transform: scaleX(1.00457);"> = 5), 1.2</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 735.572px; top: 244.235px; transform: scaleX(0.987789);"> (0.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 762.178px; top: 244.235px; transform: scaleX(0.998395);">4–2.2</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 807.958px; top: 244.235px; transform: scaleX(0.998192);">) dps in the </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.963px; top: 265.432px; transform: scaleX(0.996322);">Central Hardwoods</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 276.97px; top: 265.432px; transform: scaleX(0.996679);"> survey region </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 397.178px; top: 265.432px;">(</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 403.378px; top: 265.432px;">n</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 413.572px; top: 265.432px; transform: scaleX(0.996211);"> = 10), and no routes were completed during the </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.963px; top: 286.426px; transform: scaleX(0.995735);">appropriate survey window in the Southeast survey </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 539.759px; top: 286.426px; transform: scaleX(1.00053);">region </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 595.953px; top: 286.426px; transform: scaleX(0.998462);">(Figure</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 653.95px; top: 286.426px; transform: scaleX(1.01086);"> 4a-d). </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.926px; top: 328.618px; transform: scaleX(0.995817);"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.926px; top: 328.618px; transform: scaleX(0.995817);">Statewide drum counts were similar</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 409.322px; top: 328.618px; transform: scaleX(0.997488);"> to last year</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 504.137px; top: 328.618px; transform: scaleX(0.996348);">. I received 5 </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 614.334px; top: 328.618px; transform: scaleX(0.996559);">surveys from 2019 after the report </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.926px; top: 349.612px; transform: scaleX(0.999745);">was written last year, and</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 326.724px; top: 349.612px; transform: scaleX(0.996621);"> updated </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 403.323px; top: 349.612px; transform: scaleX(0.995833);">results are included here. </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 614.132px; top: 349.612px; transform: scaleX(0.994961);">The southern </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 727.347px; top: 349.612px; transform: scaleX(0.99622);">survey regions tend </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.945px; top: 370.809px; transform: scaleX(0.996928);">to have lower average counts </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 364.536px; top: 370.809px; transform: scaleX(0.994892);">than the northern </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 509.344px; top: 370.809px; transform: scaleX(0.996588);">regions</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 569.549px; top: 370.809px; transform: scaleX(1.00401);"> each year, and </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 701.164px; top: 370.809px; transform: scaleX(0.994733);">because </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 775.555px; top: 370.809px; transform: scaleX(0.994295);">southern </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.963px; top: 391.803px; transform: scaleX(0.996679);">regions</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 180.168px; top: 391.803px; transform: scaleX(0.996038);"> were not surveyed in 2020, the </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 441.172px; top: 391.803px; transform: scaleX(0.993223);">statewide </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 523.567px; top: 391.803px; transform: scaleX(0.99304);">index is</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 585.575px; top: 391.803px; transform: scaleX(0.997945);"> likely higher than it </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 747.974px; top: 391.803px; transform: scaleX(0.996743);">would be if </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.982px; top: 413px; transform: scaleX(0.996466);">southern routes were included. </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 375.981px; top: 413px; transform: scaleX(0.995737);">In the Northeast </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 511.589px; top: 413px; transform: scaleX(0.991237);">and </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 547.193px; top: 413px; transform: scaleX(0.99551);">Northwest</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 629.79px; top: 413px; transform: scaleX(0.995852);">, counts were similar to or down </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.982px; top: 433.994px; transform: scaleX(1.00017);">from last year, respectively. In the Central Hardwoods, observers surveyed onl</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 755.978px; top: 433.994px; transform: scaleX(0.99746);">y the northern </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.982px; top: 455.191px; transform: scaleX(0.996772);">portion of the region </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 288.378px; top: 455.191px; transform: scaleX(0.995056);">where counts tend to be higher</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 539.98px; top: 455.191px; transform: scaleX(0.996495);">, which likely explains the slightly higher</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 862.974px; top: 455.191px; transform: scaleX(1.0087);">, </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 119.982px; top: 476.186px; transform: scaleX(0.998028);">although not statistically different,</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 391.179px; top: 476.186px; transform: scaleX(0.995938);"> dps in this region in 2020 compared to 2019.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 758.186px; top: 476.186px; transform: scaleX(0.997275);"> The most recent </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120px; top: 497.18px; transform: scaleX(0.99736);">peak </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 165.006px; top: 497.18px; transform: scaleX(0.997014);">in the 10</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 235.202px; top: 497.18px; transform: scaleX(0.996944);">-year cycle </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 329.006px; top: 497.18px; transform: scaleX(0.996609);">occurred in 2017. A</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 488px; top: 497.18px; transform: scaleX(0.995909);">lthough peaks in the cycle occur on average </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120px; top: 518.377px; transform: scaleX(0.996508);">approximately every 10 years,</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 364.591px; top: 518.377px; transform: scaleX(1.00199);"> they vary from 8 to 11 years</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 597.002px; top: 518.377px; transform: scaleX(0.998466);"> apart </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 649px; top: 518.377px; transform: scaleX(0.996553);">(Figure 3)</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 728.396px; top: 518.377px; transform: scaleX(0.997102);">. Recent survey data </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 120.018px; top: 539.371px; transform: scaleX(0.998396);">indicate that </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 224.015px; top: 539.371px; transform: scaleX(0.997695);">ruffed grouse </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 337.212px; top: 539.371px; transform: scaleX(0.996203);">are in the declining phase of the 10-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 628.815px; top: 539.371px; transform: scaleX(0.99029);">year cycle</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; left: 711.008px; top: 539.371px; transform: scaleX(0.995849);"> in Minnesota.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC8qp1h5VFzoGaFOcKTzzCoC_Kmjq8WFt-bGKvrOEcizY5PgKesFMwpO8_pI0njBJRWzSq8vv92016UkI0Xhn8r26miQOXqQeb4u99bvTbdWA0UiKBN_m1NmJHOGS1MWdlk1poYTZ4CE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-08-11+at+10.50.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="914" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC8qp1h5VFzoGaFOcKTzzCoC_Kmjq8WFt-bGKvrOEcizY5PgKesFMwpO8_pI0njBJRWzSq8vv92016UkI0Xhn8r26miQOXqQeb4u99bvTbdWA0UiKBN_m1NmJHOGS1MWdlk1poYTZ4CE/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-08-11+at+10.50.50+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18.4px; left: 711.008px; top: 539.371px; transform: scaleX(0.995849);"> Re<a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/2020/08/10/ruffed-grouse-counts-similar-last-year" target="_blank"><u><i><b>ad the original DNR Article</b></i></u></a></span>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-21554138535696963272020-02-24T08:50:00.001-06:002020-02-24T08:50:32.094-06:00Ruffed Grouse Society Twin Cities Meet n Greet <div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_347">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ruffed Grouse Society - Twin Cities Meet n Greet<br /> When Thu Feb 27, 2020 5:30pm – 6:30pm (CST)<br /> Where Tattersall Distilling - 1620 Central Ave NE. Minneapolis, MN 55413</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
Interested in helping with the Twin Cities Ruffed Grouse Society.
We'll be talking about Where, When, What opportunities are to take part.
Just show up and chat about bird hunting and banquets</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-DcbLOlEpqfxuhj9DKmoY2S5JHoMQ7YYbqjEXw2G_9VtG_nNeFPC07IAL25fvTFA5ftqxf5cXzJCxk1JVqW8-i60sjUNp0eTOnsDrxj5YJX8McwgJ7kiLTbAAKlrf4YiiGUg7LHqW1E/s1600/Marge+Grouse.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1600" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-DcbLOlEpqfxuhj9DKmoY2S5JHoMQ7YYbqjEXw2G_9VtG_nNeFPC07IAL25fvTFA5ftqxf5cXzJCxk1JVqW8-i60sjUNp0eTOnsDrxj5YJX8McwgJ7kiLTbAAKlrf4YiiGUg7LHqW1E/s640/Marge+Grouse.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-13077211030753436642019-11-21T17:14:00.004-06:002019-11-21T17:14:59.511-06:00Eastern equine encephalitis virus found in ruffed grouse<span style="font-size: large;">Three Itasca County ruffed grouse that appeared sick have tested
positive for a mosquito-borne virus called eastern equine encephalitis
(EEE), marking the first time the virus has been confirmed to cause
illness in a Minnesota wild animal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“Now that we’ve found the EEE
virus in Minnesota grouse, we will continue to monitor grouse
populations for signs of the disease,” said Michelle Carstensen,
wildlife health program leader for the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources. “It’s too soon to say how widespread the EEE virus might be
in grouse populations because we only have one year of grouse sampling
results from 2018.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">EEE is a rare illness in humans. People bitten
by infected mosquitoes seldom develop any symptoms but the virus can be
serious if they do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The hunters who harvested the grouse brought
them to DNR staff in late October after they noticed abnormal behavior
in the birds – they didn’t or couldn’t fly away. When field dressing the
birds, the hunters also noticed reduced muscle mass.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The DNR
submitted samples from the birds to the University of Minnesota’s
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL). Tests concluded two and possibly
a third were infected with EEE virus. The third grouse - suspected of
having the virus, also had inflammation in the brain, providing further
evidence that it likely also suffered from EEE. All birds tested
negative for West Nile virus.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“It is rare for us to find EEE in
Minnesota, but this year we’ve diagnosed the virus in these grouse and a
horse,” said the VDL’s Dr. Arno Wuenschmann. “I initially suspected
that West Nile virus caused the encephalitis but molecular tests
conducted on the grouse in collaboration with the Animal Health
Diagnostic Center at Cornell University proved EEE virus was to blame.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The
EEE virus is typically found in the eastern United States and along the
Gulf Coast but also has been found in other states, including Michigan
and Wisconsin.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Prior to this discovery, the DNR had confirmed that
wolves and moose in northeastern Minnesota had been exposed to the
virus but never found animals of either species sick with the disease.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In
2018, the DNR began asking hunters to submit grouse samples for West
Nile virus testing. Samples collected the first year showed 12 percent
of the birds had been exposed to West Nile virus but none had been
exposed to EEE.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“We’ll keep testing samples that hunters submit
for both viruses,” Carstensen said. “Hunters who harvest sick grouse
also can help us by contacting a nearby <a class="ext ext-link" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAxOTExMTguMTMwNDA0NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21uZG5yLmdvdi9hcmVhcy93aWxkbGlmZT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.d-9ckBgoDKcZWXEYSJdYDrTbB1gbf4-g779w2IOd0JY/br/71497530675-l?02%7C01%7Csteve.carroll%40state.mn.us%7C626aa61b3975436ffbda08d76c4b2767%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2159828c%7C0%7C1%7C637096942352450849&sdata=aoMaorG1%2B%2BNd/lr7JVWuhjeH/fuOInZrhuKOB4nZyRY=&reserved=0" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">DNR area wildlife office</a><span class="ext"> </span> so they can submit those samples for testing, too.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As
with any wild game, care should be used when processing the animal to
avoid cuts that could cause potential infection. Any game that appears
abnormal – either in the field or after dressing – should not be
consumed. Hunters with questions about what they harvest can contact a
nearby <a class="ext ext-link" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAxOTExMTguMTMwNDA0NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21uZG5yLmdvdi9hcmVhcy93aWxkbGlmZT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.NOrRdbMsey4wuHQbeG5R3iufuzhuEaxF-7WqMUrbuQQ/br/71497530675-l?02%7C01%7Csteve.carroll%40state.mn.us%7C626aa61b3975436ffbda08d76c4b2767%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2159828c%7C0%7C1%7C637096942352450849&sdata=Yc%2Biuw7bSpiMd/i71n/VeaXS/JnHm0DWsryGtjS6FuM=&reserved=0" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">DNR area wildlife office</a><span class="ext"> </span>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Grouse sampling information can be found on the <a class="ext ext-link" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAxOTExMTguMTMwNDA0NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5kbnIuc3RhdGUubW4udXMvaHVudGluZy9ncm91c2UvaW5kZXguaHRtbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.cxp23mFDQhP12a7vvQNeRuJzVEWM8TwKt2XfBCtFXnk/br/71497530675-l?02%7C01%7Csteve.carroll%40state.mn.us%7C626aa61b3975436ffbda08d76c4b2767%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2159828c%7C0%7C1%7C637096942352460844&sdata=JVAj8OPlR0%2B4hxIDLo9JXRi9fY6wNhSCiNIZZpn6ZC0=&reserved=0" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">DNR website</a><span class="ext"> </span>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/2019/11/18/eastern-equine-encephalitis-virus-found-ruffed-grouse" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Read the full MN DNR article.</b></i></u></a></span><br />
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-28168715156952267562019-10-22T20:01:00.001-05:002019-10-22T20:01:09.849-05:00West Nile virus in ruffed grouse: Test results are in<span style="font-size: large;">Test results are in from the first year of a multi-state study on
West Nile virus in ruffed grouse in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin.
These first-year results are showing that, while the virus is present in
the region, exposed grouse can survive. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In 273 samples from
grouse that hunters harvested in Minnesota during 2018, 34 samples (12.5
percent) had antibodies consistent with West Nile virus exposure that
were either confirmed in 10 samples (3.7 percent) or likely in 24
samples (8.8 percent). The tests did not find the presence of virus in
any of the ruffed grouse hearts, meaning the birds were not sick when
harvested.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In Wisconsin, West Nile virus exposure was detected in
68 of 235 (29 percent) ruffed grouse blood samples with exposure to the
virus either confirmed in 44 (19 percent) or likely in 24 (10 percent),
and two grouse had virus present in their hearts. In Michigan, West
Nile virus exposure was detected in 28 of 213 (13 percent) ruffed grouse
blood samples with exposure to the virus either confirmed in nine (4
percent) or likely in 19 (9 percent), with four having virus present in
their hearts.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“The study tells us that some birds that have been
exposed to West Nile virus are surviving – both juvenile and adults –
and they are not sick when harvested in the fall,” said Charlotte Roy,
grouse project leader with the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources. “But this study does not tell us about birds that may have
died from the disease over the summer.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Research in other states
points to good grouse habitat as one factor that can produce birds in
better condition and better able to survive stressors like West Nile
virus.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The DNR had asked grouse hunters to collect two types of
samples to help determine if the birds were exposed to the virus: a
blood sample to determine if the grouse had developed an immune response
to the virus, and the heart to look for traces of viral genetic
material. As in humans, ruffed grouse can build up antibodies in an
immune response to viruses they encounter. Even when the body fights off
an illness, these antibodies are left behind in the blood.
Hunters who submitted samples in 2018 will be mailed a letter this fall
notifying them of the test results of the birds they submitted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“Thank
you to all hunters who contributed samples last year, as well as
hunters who are submitting samples this season,” Roy said.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sample
collection is continuing during the 2019 grouse hunting season. Ruffed
grouse hunters can voluntarily submit samples if they are willing to
collect blood on filter paper strips within 30 minutes of harvest,
hearts, and a few feathers for sex and age determination, and are
willing to provide harvest location information.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sample collection kits have been available for pickup at DNR <a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/wildlife/index.html">area wildlife offices</a>
within the ruffed grouse range since Labor Day on a first-come
first-serve basis. Due to strong interest by hunters, many offices are
already out of kits, so hunters should call ahead before stopping. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/2019/10/22/west-nile-virus-ruffed-grouse-test-results-are" target="_blank"><u><i><b><br /></b></i></u></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/2019/10/22/west-nile-virus-ruffed-grouse-test-results-are" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Read the full MN DNR article</b></i></u></a></span>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-4275392061925796862019-10-14T14:58:00.003-05:002019-10-14T14:58:33.696-05:00Pennsylvania could lose its state bird, the Ruffed Grouse, because of climate change<div class="author" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #aaaaaa; float: left; font-family: ClearSans-thick, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 1.600000023841858px; max-width: 65%; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="by" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: ClearSans, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">BY</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="author-name" href="https://www.phillyvoice.com/staff-contributors/adam-hermann/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">ADAM HERMANN<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></a><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="author-staff" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; text-transform: none;">PhillyVoice Staff</span></div>
<div class="article-sharing" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: ClearSans-thick, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 1.600000023841858px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<ul style="border-top-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: right; height: auto; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; width: auto;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: ClearSans, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; height: 32px; margin-right: -1px; vertical-align: middle;"><br /></li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-size: large;">The Pennsylvania state bird is the Ruffed Grouse, a smallish brown-and-tan bird which prefers the state's woods and forests. If you've never seen one in person, the best time to go looking is during the summer, and you should consider trying to do sooner rather than later.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A new study released Thursday by the National Audubon Society suggests the Ruffed Grouse, along with seven other states' state birds,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.audubon.org/climate/survivalbydegrees/state/us/pa" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c8cca; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">could largely or entirely leave their respective states' borders in future summers because of climate change</a>.</span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The scenarios posed by the Audubon Society's study are still decades away, but the changes would be drastic.</span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">From the study:</span></div>
<blockquote class="blockquote" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">"Audubon scientists took advantage of 140 million observations, recorded by birders and scientists, to describe where 604 North American bird species live today — an area known as their “range.” They then used the latest climate models to project how each species’s range will shift as climate change and other human impacts advance across the continent. The results are clear: Birds will be forced to relocate to find favorable homes. And they may not survive."</i></span></blockquote>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If climate change raises global temperatures 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, the Ruffed Grouse population would likely leave Pennsylvania altogether during the summer.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.phillyvoice.com/pennsylvania-lose-state-bird-ruffed-grouse-climate-change-study-new-jersey-goldfinch/" target="_blank"><u><i><b> Read the rest of the Philly Voice article</b></i></u></a></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Serif", Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-11104645107830125142019-10-04T19:59:00.003-05:002019-10-04T19:59:37.966-05:00Minnesota DNR offers hunting tips, locations for new grouse hunters <div class="article-leadtext">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hunter walking trails wind through prime grouse habitat throughout central and northern Minnesota</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="mr2 b primary" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person">
Written By: <span class="ttu" id="noLink">Steve Hoffman</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="first-p">
<span style="font-size: large;">Minnesota has 600 miles
of hunter walking trails located in the northern forested area of the
state where grouse are most abundant. There are more than 200 hunter
walking trails, and most have marked parking areas at the trailhead.</span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">“Hunter walking trails are a fun way to check
out new areas and they do provide good hunting,” said Ted Dick, forest
game bird coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
“New hunters can follow these trails and not worry about getting lost
or wandering off public land. And you can get away from trucks and
four-wheelers and into some decent grouse habitat.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">An
avid grouse and woodcock hunter himself, Dick has taken youth and new
hunters on hunter walking trails over the years and uses the trails as a
convenient way to discover new hunting areas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The
DNR partners with other organizations and land managers to maintain
hunter walking trails. A $300,000 grant from the Environment and Natural
Resources Trust Fund to the Minnesota Ruffed Grouse Society will
restore approximately 200 trailheads and 80 miles of existing trails,
add 20 miles of new trails and update trail maps for land managers and
trail users.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The DNR and partners
developed the system of hunter walking trails beginning in the 1970s.
Timber harvest around the trails is the main tool used to create quality
grouse and woodcock habitat. The trails wind their way through wildlife
management areas, ruffed grouse management areas, state forests and
other types of public land.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Downloadable maps of hunter walking trails and more information can be found on the hunter walking trails page at <a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/hwt/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/hwt/index.html</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/outdoors/4702208-Minnesota-DNR-offers-hunting-tips-locations-for-new-grouse-hunters?fbclid=IwAR0RmhrghuWUoMjdckAwdrSe39YrUouKxoaCYLr4NSU5tu6q8-ARXBDWZKc" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Read the full Duluth News Tribune article for more tips and info. </b></i></u></a></span><br />
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-57858462198437465632019-09-27T08:56:00.003-05:002019-09-27T08:56:43.476-05:00Maine Biologist expects 2019 solid grouse numbers to highlight bird hunting season that begins Saturday<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Open Sans", HelveticaNeue, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">By<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://bangordailynews.com/author/john-holyoke/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #2e6c9e; font-family: "Open Sans", HelveticaNeue, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">John Holyoke</a><br />
<br />
<div class="content-p" id="p-0" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.667; margin: 0px auto 18px; max-width: 720px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Over three decades helping manage the state’s bird populations, biologist Brad Allen has learned a lot about the game birds — like ruffed grouse — that Mainers like to hunt.</span></div>
<div class="content-p" id="p-1" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.667; margin: 0px auto 18px; max-width: 720px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the things the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s bird group leader has learned bodes well for the state’s bird hunters.</span></div>
<div class="content-p" id="p-1" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.667; margin: 0px auto 18px; max-width: 720px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">“Grouse-hunting in Maine, I tell everybody, is always good,” Allen said. “[This year is] not going to be a boom, it’s not going to be a bust. I want to say average, but I think it’ll be slightly better than average,”</span></span></div>
<div class="content-p" id="p-1" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.667; margin: 0px auto 18px; max-width: 720px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Decent weather — cool but not too cold — during the nesting season shouldn’t have hampered reproductive efforts, he said, and the population of grouse should be solid.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="content-p" id="p-1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.667; margin: 0px auto 18px; max-width: 720px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bangordailynews.com/2019/09/26/outdoors/biologist-expects-solid-grouse-numbers-to-highlight-bird-hunting-season-that-begins-saturday/" target="_blank"><u><i><b><span style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Read the full Bangor Daily News article for more insights and tips </span> </span></b></i></u></a></span> </div>
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-85541639775474267962019-09-26T10:54:00.001-05:002019-09-26T10:54:08.105-05:00The Grouseman - Orvis Presents Video<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V7rWD0M3ATw" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For wingshooting guide Steve Grossman, the hunt is about so much more
than shooting a limit of birds. Ever since he was a teenager, he has
devoted himself to chasing wild birds and training dogs. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He is a student of his art, constantly learning more about how the birds
respond to changes in their environment and how birddogs and hunters
can work together. He's become an inspiration to his children and the
younger generation of wild-bird enthusiasts.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2mUOdIs" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Learn more about Steve and The Grouse Lodge </b></i></u></a></span>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-32622811167684135232019-09-18T13:36:00.001-05:002019-09-18T14:51:22.267-05:00Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Hunting in New Hampshire - Live for October Video<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NuNKwOGbYTA" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
Join Northeast Regional Director of the Ruffed Grouse Society Joe
Levesque as he mentors owner of ANR Design Alex Costa on his first
hunting adventure. Along with friend Zach Hein the head to the north
woods of New Hampshire as they hunt ruffed grouse and American woodcock.
This film explores the camp culture of New England, the future of
hunting, and the critical conservation issues that the Ruffed Grouse
Society pursues.
<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tim2019-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B018RP38M6&asins=B018RP38M6&linkId=1c25b10f777eb4216bff60f052a93af1&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 480px; width: 240px;">
</iframe>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-14361478900735074842019-09-03T07:29:00.004-05:002019-09-03T07:29:46.747-05:00WI DNR board moves toward shortening 2019 grouse season<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The state Department of Natural Resources board is moving toward shortening Wisconsin's ruffed grouse season to as the population dwindles.</span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The board voted unanimously Tuesday to allow the department to craft an emergency rule that would close the season across the northwestern two-thirds of the state on Jan. 5. The season currently runs from mid-September through Jan. 31 in that portion of the state.</span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The DNR is concerned that the ruffed grouse population is declining. Drumming activity dropped 34% from 2017 to 2018. Hunters took only 173,347 birds last year, the lowest total in 35 years of hunter surveys.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.weau.com/content/news/DNR-board-moves-toward-shortening-grouse-season-558944531.html" target="_blank"><u><i><b> Read the full WEAU article for more information</b></i></u></a></span></div>
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-91025328355177151202019-08-14T15:51:00.003-05:002019-08-14T16:18:09.200-05:00Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin testing ruffed grouse to gauge West Nile exposure<div class="p-text" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 15px 60px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Under the program, now in its second year, researchers in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin collect the carcasses of ruffed grouse along with blood samples from the birds during the states' respective grouse seasons.</span></div>
<div class="p-text" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 15px 60px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Each state's DNR searches the birds' organs for signs of West Nile and sends the blood samples to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study group at the University of Georgia for further testing.</span></div>
<div class="p-text" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 15px 60px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The data collected by the group then helps researchers evaluate the effects of West Nile on grouse populations throughout Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. </span></div>
<div class="p-text" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 15px 60px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/08/11/michigan-2-other-states-test-ruffed-grouse-west-nile/1956346001/" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Read the full article for more info</b></i></u></a></span></div>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tim2019-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B00C7QPTLK&asins=B00C7QPTLK&linkId=e25e565f0501436a25cb7ab6c6b0e001&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff">
</iframe>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-89677183454661169692019-07-19T12:02:00.002-05:002019-07-19T12:02:39.601-05:00New Jersey 2019 Grouse Season Closure Announced<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="black12" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration: none;">At their regular meeting on July 17, the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="listgreenul" href="https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/councils.htm#fishandgame" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">Fish and Game Council</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>unanimously voted to close the ruffed grouse hunting season statewide. Recognizing that grouse populations in the state were declining, the season length and daily bag limit were reduced, and the state was divided into two zones, in 2005, with the southern zone having a shorter season than the northern zone. The closure takes effect immediately.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="black12" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration: none;">Ruffed grouse populations in the state have declined due to lack of suitable habitat (young-aged forests) which they require. Such forests now comprise less than 1% of the state's forests. Anecdotal reports of hunters seeing grouse have dwindled as forests continue to age due to lack of forest management. Although hunting is not the cause of the decline, and in fact, the number of grouse hunters has a parallel declining trend, the Division and the Fish and Game Council feels that current grouse population levels cannot support a hunt at this time.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="black12" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2019/grouse_closed.htm" target="_blank"><u><i><b>See the NJ Fish and Wildlife Site </b></i></u></a></span></span></div>
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-67520820966932590102019-07-10T08:21:00.003-05:002019-07-10T08:21:52.488-05:00Missouri Restocking Ruffed Grouse<h5>
By Joe Healy</h5>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span class="sc-dropcap">A</span></span>fter
many years of population declines, Missouri’s ruffed grouse finally may
be seeing a turnaround. This past year, in a collaborative effort
between the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF), of Buffalo,
Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), 100 ruffed
grouse were relocated from Wisconsin to Missouri’s Daniel Boone
Conservation Area, in Warren County.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">QUWF credits more than a decade of hard work, constant fundraising,
generous sponsors, cooperative landowners and MDC personnel with the
success of the effort. Craig Alderman, a research biologist and the
founder and executive director of QUWF, cites in particular support from
Ruger Firearms and personal interest from Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny
Morris.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">According to Alderman: “Our plan this year is to capture another 100
grouse and bring them down to Missouri and release them. We have a
grouse coop right now of about 110 to 112 members that encompasses about
100,000 acres, and we’ve been doing extremely intensive
timber-improvement work to prepare for a minimum of a 25-year plan for
the grouse to stay, adapt and grow . . . . Between the chapters and the
private landowners, I’d say we’ve seen an investment of well over $2
million in timber harvest and getting lands ready.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://shootingsportsman.com/missouri-restocking-ruffed-grouse/" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Read the rest of the full Shooting Sportsman article </b></i></u></a></span>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-3596679146602505152019-07-01T12:20:00.000-05:002019-07-01T12:20:26.231-05:00MN 2019 Ruffed Grouse counts similar to last year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JSbxSae68s5FX36IJlApsL4HH-NtEfSKY_D6JYz3yP_hfDDfma9NzHn3QeoGGOEKas_b1FvbVEFM-PwifojePZWMDt7GA_KNdtfakcEbRkjNMBsGuWqjrIOp5VldpeDNX6rtlYY7iD4/s1600/Ruffed+Grouse+Drumming.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="737" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JSbxSae68s5FX36IJlApsL4HH-NtEfSKY_D6JYz3yP_hfDDfma9NzHn3QeoGGOEKas_b1FvbVEFM-PwifojePZWMDt7GA_KNdtfakcEbRkjNMBsGuWqjrIOp5VldpeDNX6rtlYY7iD4/s400/Ruffed+Grouse+Drumming.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Minnesota’s ruffed grouse spring drumming counts were similar statewide this year to last year. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">DNR biologists have monitored ruffed grouse populations for the past 70 years and this year, DNR staff and cooperators from 14 organizations surveyed 131 established routes across the state’s forested region. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Each year on the routes, surveyors count the number of grouse drums they hear. Drumming is the low sound male grouse make as they beat their wings rapidly and in increasing frequency to signal the location of their territory and attract females ready to begin nesting. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Drumming counts are an indicator of the ruffed grouse breeding population. Grouse populations tend to rise and fall on a 10-year cycle that can vary from 8 to 11 years, and Minnesota’s most recent population peak was in 2017.</span><br />
<br />
<h3 align="left" style="color: #003865; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 110%; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2019 survey results</span></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div align="left" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The
2019 survey results for ruffed grouse were 1.5 drums per stop
statewide. The averages during 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018
were 0.9, 1.1, 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, and 1.5, respectively. Counts vary from
about 0.6 drums per stop during years of low grouse abundance to about
2.0 during years of high abundance.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div align="left" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Results
this year follow a decrease from 2017 to 2018. In the northeast survey
region, which is the core of Minnesota’s grouse range, counts were 1.6
drums per stop; in the northwest there were 2.1 drums per stop; in the
central hardwoods, 0.8 drums per stop; and in the southeast, 0.7 drums
per stop. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div align="left" style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Check the DNR’s <a href="https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/grouse/index.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" rel="noopener" style="-moz-hyphens: none; -ms-word-break: break-all; -webkit-hyphens: none; color: #0062b2; hyphens: none; text-decoration: underline; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank" title="grouse hunting webpage">grouse hunting webpage</a> for the 2019 grouse survey report and grouse hunting information.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6LZ9nMEInIZtcmiHnUTea_V62SOo0YfNhgJOKLqMlsyicqXXT-hBD-I93HkGP7TG6_l2-xfM-Kvqv-1txJyuCy5BKF6L74IjLue-vxIvaTYqst58WaInyYz9upvNvaVMVaRCLtmiDoA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-07-01+at+12.17.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="331" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6LZ9nMEInIZtcmiHnUTea_V62SOo0YfNhgJOKLqMlsyicqXXT-hBD-I93HkGP7TG6_l2-xfM-Kvqv-1txJyuCy5BKF6L74IjLue-vxIvaTYqst58WaInyYz9upvNvaVMVaRCLtmiDoA/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-07-01+at+12.17.48+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-1586459383950301722019-06-22T04:00:00.000-05:002019-06-22T04:00:05.037-05:00George Bird Evans Collection Available Online <span style="font-size: large;">The George Bird Evans Digital Collection, part of West Virginia
& Regional History Center’s extensive Evans collection, contains
sixty-five years of detailed hand written hunting journals, which
document George and Kay’s pursuit of both woodcock and grouse behind
their personally created line of Old Hemlock setters, in varied coverts
mostly in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"> The journals are rich in the experiences and natural observations
of a keen intellect and perceptive observer. They are further enhanced
by his lively and expressive pen sketches which illustrate many of the
entries. These unique journals were the original source material for
many of his books and numerous magazine articles, and remain an
important resource for understanding his and Kay’s chosen lifestyle and
principled sporting ethic. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Covering the years 1932 to 1997, the hunting journals can be
downloaded in PDF format. The West Virginia & Regional History
Center also holds significant additional Evans material which is not
available online. Please refer to the collection <a href="https://findingaids.lib.wvu.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=wvcguide&cc=wvcguide&type=simple&rgn=Entire+Finding+Aid&q1=george+bird+evans&Submit=Search"> finding aid </a> to learn more about the contents of the George Bird Evans Collection.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"> George Bird and Kay Harris Evans generously endowed the Old
Hemlock Foundation in order to preserve and support their passionate
lifelong interests. Today the Foundation preserves and shares with
visitors Old Hemlock, their eighteenth century home and surrounding
forest near Bruceton Mills, Preston County, WV.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://oldhemlock.org/"> Old Hemlock Foundation </a>
also offers scholarships to WVU Medical School students, provides
funding for arts and literature studies in the Bruceton Mills schools,
and support for the Preston County Humane Society. The Foundation
actively shares the Evans legacy with ongoing outreach programs for all
ages, and welcomes visits to and tours of Old Hemlock.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://gbe.lib.wvu.edu/" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Visit The Collection </b></i></u></a></span>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-20104381996350515792019-06-20T16:42:00.000-05:002019-06-20T16:42:25.482-05:00The Scientific Impact of West Nile on Ruffed Grouse<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>RESEARCH ROUNDUP</strong><br /><br />In working with private,
state and federal partners to conduct intense research on West Nile
virus and investigate other issues that might be involved in grouse
declines, we’ve learned a lot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Here’s a sample:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Ruffed grouse are highly-susceptible to WNV, and infected grouse
suffered very high mortality, based on our 2015 lab study with Colorado
State University. <br /><strong>Young forest is important habitat for
grouse courting and brood-rearing, but only 8 percent of Penn’s Woods is
made up of young forest. Habitat loss and degradation have left grouse
populations more vulnerable to threats, including West Nile virus. <br /></strong>We still don’t know how many other woodland birds are vulnerable to the WNV.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Wild grouse are exposed to WNV throughout Pennsylvania, in good and poor habitat.<br /><br />We
know this from looking for WNV and virus antibodies in hundreds of
hunter-harvested grouse from 2015 through 2018. We also see evidence
that the proportion of WNV survivors among harvested grouse varies with
the virus’ severity in any given year.<br /><br />There is no way to know
how many grouse die during the peak WNV season – July through September,
but we see fewer survivors in the fall/winter harvest during severe WNV
years.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Both young forest availability and WNV prevalence determine the fate of grouse populations. <br /><br />A
2017 Game Commission-Penn State University analysis showed habitat and
WNV influence whether grouse persist in an area, whether they colonize
new areas, and whether individual populations disappear over time. This
gives us something to work with! We now know our management efforts will
be more effective if we take disease prevalence into account when
managing habitat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Individual grouse in areas of highly
abundant and high-quality habitat might have a higher chance of
survival, based on antibody findings.<br /><br />Further, hunter-flush-rate
data show grouse populations in good habitat rebounding more quickly
after bad WNV years, compared to populations in more isolated or
marginal habitats. This also has valuable management implications.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">We’re
more knowledgeable about the primary disease vectors, based on a
2017-18 collaboration with the state Department of Environmental
Protection’s West Nile Virus Surveillance Program.<br /><br />The mosquito <em>Culex pipiens</em>
is the primary WNV vector in human residential areas. But Game
Commission trapping shows it’s rarely found in the state’s forests.
Rather, the vector we must target is <em>Culex restuans</em>, a closely-related country cousin of <em>Culex pipiens</em> that prefers to target birds.<br /><br />Our 2017-18 research shows <em>Culex restuans</em> thrives in woodlands, occurring in each of the 10 game lands we’ve studied.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">We know <em>Culex restuans</em>
populations rise and fall largely due to temperature and rainfall. WNV
transmission benefits from above-average spring and autumn temperatures,
because warm temperatures prolong the mosquito-breeding and the
WNV-transmission season. Unfortunately, we also know WNV is not going
away. High-prevalence years are becoming more frequent. Eight of the
past 10 years exhibited extremely high WNV prevalence.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">WHAT WE KNOW NOW --- <a href="https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/the-scientific-impact-of-west-nile-on-ruffed-grouse/" target="_blank"><u><i>Read the full RGS article</i></u></a></span></strong>timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036951061046535004.post-13928348578027728332019-06-17T06:00:00.000-05:002019-06-17T06:00:00.381-05:00Pockets Of Hoosier National Forest Cut Down For Wildlife Habitat<h3 class="byline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
By<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">REBECCA THIELE</span></h3>
<h3 class="byline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></h3>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px !important; margin-bottom: 14px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: currentcolor none 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Officials with the Hoosier National Forest are drawing attention to an effort to preserve “forest openings.” These are pockets in the forest where older trees have been cut down to make way for younger trees, shrubs and grasses. </span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px !important; margin-bottom: 14px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: currentcolor none 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hoosier National Forest Wildlife Technician Brian King says before humans started changing the landscape, these openings were created naturally through things like forest fires.</span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px !important; margin-bottom: 14px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: currentcolor none 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“So we’re trying to bring back this habitat that once was here and has now gone away because we as humans have kind of stopped that flow,” he says.</span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px !important; margin-bottom: 14px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: currentcolor none 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">King says more than 4,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest is set aside for these clearings, with the average size being about six acres. They’re good habitat for species like the<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a href="https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3362.htm" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(234, 220, 220); border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #660000; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor none 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">ruffed grouse</a><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>— which the state says is on track for extinction.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px !important; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px !important; margin-bottom: 14px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/pockets-of-hoosier-national-forest-cut-down-for-wildlife-habitat.php" target="_blank"><u><i><b>Read the full Indiana Public Media article </b></i></u></a></span></div>
<h3 class="byline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></h3>
timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334037198505730154noreply@blogger.com0