Friday, May 30, 2014

100's of Top Secret Ruffed Grouse Hunting Sites Revealed

I always a little bit leery of showing any ruffed grouse hunting spots as even one or two more hunters in my areas can make it more likely that someone else will be in one of my favorite hunting spots.

But, the spots are all in the public domain and hopefully it will help a few of the newer hunters stay interested in the sport.

The Ruffed Grouse Society has released maps of their Management Area Projects.  It looks like there are a couple of hundred areas listed.

You will need to have Google Earth installed on your computer to view the maps.

Here is the link to the RGS website with all of the mapping information.


Thursday, May 29, 2014

Ruffed Grouse Society Welcomes New Wildlife Biologist for Eastern Great Lakes Region

The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) recently named Eric J. Ellis as the new regional biologist for the Eastern Great Lakes region (Michigan, Ohio and Indiana). In his new position, Ellis will support the Society’s management efforts to create healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife and help preserve our rich sporting traditions.

As part of his duties, Ellis will work with state and federal wildlife agencies, private landowners and chapters on habitat projects and initiatives. He will also focus on grant writing and fundraising efforts to help the organization further enhance young forest habitat.

“With his experience with habitat development and fundraising, we are excited to add Eric to our team of wildlife biologists. We feel he has a great combination of education, on-the-ground experience, leadership and enthusiasm to help us grow in all areas of habitat enhancement,” said RGS President and CEO John Eichinger.


Prior to becoming part of the RGS team, Ellis worked as a wildlife habitat biologist and project manager for the Conservation Resource Alliance in Traverse City, Michigan where he facilitated fundraising and implementation of habitat management projects by working with public and private landowners, foresters and contractors. He also led the Wild Link Program assisting volunteer landowners in managing private property along regional wildlife corridors. He received his Master of Science degree in resource recreation and tourism from the University of Idaho in 2007 and his Bachelor of Science in resource ecology and management from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1997.

Gaylord MI Ruffed Grouse Society dinner June 13 at Treetops

GAYLORD — The Jim Foote Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will host its 22nd annual Conservation and Sportsmen’s Banquet on Friday, June 13, at Treetops Resort, 3962 Wilkinson Road.

The evening begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.

As with all RGS fundraisers, proceeds from this event will be used to enhance habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife. The evening will feature a live and silent auction, games, drawings and door prizes, highlighted with the finest selection of quality firearms, artwork and collectables.

Individual membership and dinner tickets are $65. There is also a membership and spouse package for $90 (includes two dinners) and a junior membership and dinner ticket for $40 (17 and under). Banquet, conservation, sustaining and gold sponsorship packages also are available.


For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Peter McCutcheon at (231) 546-4849.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Northwest Montana Ruffed Grouse Report 4-21-2014

It looks like grouse populations will be high again here in northwest Montana.  Adult survival from last year is substantial and throughout the winter Gracie and Maisy were consistently kicking up several birds a day.

Spring drumming has started providing further evidence of adult survival.  Each afternoon when I run the dogs I’m hearing at least three or four different males drumming in a relatively small area.  It’s a bit early to start considering spring chick survival since that’s a month out but at least things are as good as they can be at the moment with high numbers of potential breeding adults.

Stay tuned for more reports as the spring progresses.






Friday, April 18, 2014

Ruffed Grouse Society hosts tasting event - Bellevue OH 4/25/14

The Gilbert R. Symons Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will host Spirits for Wild Game - A Tasting Event 7 p.m. Friday, April 25, at the Riff Distillery, 95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue.

The evening will feature a silent auction, craft beer from Ei8ht Ball Brewing, bourbon, and wine selections paired with heavy hors d’oeuvres prepared by famous chef, David Cook: wild game (wild turkey, woodcock, dove, ruffed grouse, Canada goose, rabbit, lake trout, wild-caught Alaskan halibut, Michigan salmon, mallard duck, venison, bear, venison, quail, pheasant, elk, salmon pate, Lake Erie fish, Italian sausage-style venison, and Morel mushrooms).

Tickets are $75. Proceeds will be used to enhance habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Jeff Rhinock at 513-324-1334.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

MI DNR Awards Communities Conservation Grants To Ruffed Grouse Society

The Department of Natural Resources April 14 announced recipients of the 2014 Wildlife Habitat grants. A total of $737,720 was awarded to various conservation and nonprofit organizations, units of government and landowners.


Examples of funded projects include planting native grasslands for pheasant habitat at Lake Hudson State Recreation Area, planting fruit trees for wild turkey and ruffed grouse food sources in several locations across the state and improving accessibility for limited-mobility hunters and wildlife enthusiasts at Sharonville State Game Area.

Ruffed Grouse Society, $30,800, Gratiot, Ionia, Montcalm and Clinton counties.


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY WINS SPORTDOG SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEST

SportDOG Brand, a leading manufacturer of electronic dog training products, recently announced the Ruffed Grouse Society as the winner of the SportDOG 10,000 Fan Conservation Contest. During the week of March 31 through April 4, 2014, social media fans voted RGS as their favorite conservation organization on the SportDOG Facebook page. RGS will receive a $1,000 donation that will be placed in the RGS Drummer Fund designated to create habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife.

The support for RGS shows the eternal dedication and passion fans have for grouse and woodcock hunting and habitat. RGS is North America’s foremost forest conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forests for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife. Supporters understands the importance of RGS habitat impact across the nation.

The social media-based contest is one in a long list of SportDOG Brand Conservation Fund programs that support numerous conservation initiatives. These include the Conservation Fund Youth Program, plus support of local, grassroots conservation projects, and national-level sponsorships of premier organizations including RGS.

RGS appreciates SportDOG Brand’s commitment to conservation and thanks all who supported

RGS in this contest. More information about RGS can be found at www.ruffedgrousesociety.org and about SportDOG Brand at www.sportdog.com.