Top Public Land Locations for Ruffed Grouse Hunting in Ohio

 

Ruffed grouse hunting in Ohio offers a thrilling challenge for upland bird hunters. While grouse populations have declined in recent decades due to habitat loss, several public lands still provide excellent opportunities for pursuing this elusive bird. Known for their explosive flushes and agile flight, ruffed grouse require hunters to navigate dense cover and make quick, accurate shots.

If you're looking for the best public land spots to hunt ruffed grouse in Ohio, here are the top locations to consider:

1. Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County)

Why Hunt Here?
Zaleski State Forest is one of Ohio’s premier destinations for ruffed grouse. With over 28,000 acres of mixed hardwoods, early-successional forests, and thick cover, this area provides ideal grouse habitat. Focus on edges near clear-cuts, young aspen stands, and creek bottoms.

Key Features:

• Extensive trail system for easy access

• Managed timber cuts create prime grouse habitat

• Remote areas hold good bird numbers

2. Shawnee State Forest (Scioto & Adams Counties)

Why Hunt Here?
Shawnee State Forest, often called the "Little Smokies of Ohio," offers rugged terrain and dense forests that ruffed grouse favor. The forest’s timber management practices promote the young, brushy growth that grouse need for food and cover.

Key Features:

• Over 63,000 acres of public land

• Steep ridges and valleys provide diverse habitat

• Less hunting pressure than some other areas

3. Wayne National Forest (Athens, Hocking, Perry, & Monroe Counties)

Why Hunt Here?
Wayne National Forest spans several southeastern Ohio counties and contains excellent grouse habitat, particularly in areas with recent logging activity. Hunters should focus on regenerating timber stands and forest edges.

Key Features:

• Multiple units with varying terrain

• Active forest management benefits grouse populations

• Remote sections hold fewer hunters

4. Tar Hollow State Forest (Ross & Vinton Counties)

Why Hunt Here?
Tar Hollow’s mix of oak-hickory forests, pine plantations, and regenerating clear-cuts makes it a stronghold for ruffed grouse in Ohio. The rolling hills and dense understory provide ideal cover.

Key Features:

• Nearly 16,000 acres of huntable land

• Good populations near recent timber harvests

• Less crowded than more well-known areas

5. Waterloo Wildlife Area (Athens County)

Why Hunt Here?
Waterloo Wildlife Area is managed for both wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities. The mix of old fields, young forests, and thickets creates excellent grouse habitat.

Key Features:

• Over 2,000 acres of public land

• Active habitat management benefits grouse

• Easy access from Athens and surrounding areas

Final Thoughts

While ruffed grouse hunting in Ohio isn’t as prolific as it once was, dedicated hunters can still find success in these public land hotspots. By targeting areas with active forest management and dense cover, you’ll increase your odds of flushing these challenging birds. Always follow Ohio’s hunting regulations and practice ethical hunting to ensure sustainable opportunities for future generations.

Happy hunting!

 

 By RuffedGrouse.com staff

Hunting Ruffed Grouse in Alabama: A Guide for Upland Bird Enthusiasts

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) are one of North America’s most sought-after upland game birds, known for their explosive flushes and challenging flight patterns. While Alabama is not as well-known for ruffed grouse hunting as northern states like Minnesota or Pennsylvania, the bird does have a historical presence in the state’s northern regions. For hunters willing to explore Alabama’s forested hills, pursuing ruffed grouse can be a rewarding and nostalgic experience.

Habitat and Range in Alabama

Ruffed grouse thrive in young, dense forests with a mix of hardwood and softwood trees, particularly where there is ample underbrush for cover. In Alabama, grouse were once more common in the Appalachian foothills and the northeastern counties, including areas around the Talladega National Forest. However, habitat loss and changing forest conditions have significantly reduced their numbers over the years.

Today, ruffed grouse sightings in Alabama are rare, and the state’s wildlife agency does not actively manage for them. Most successful grouse hunting in the Southeast occurs further north in states like Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina. However, for those determined to hunt grouse in Alabama, scouting remote, overgrown timberlands with thick understories may yield occasional opportunities.

Ruffed Grouse Habitat in Alabama

Ruffed grouse thrive in young forests, dense thickets, and mixed woodlands with plenty of underbrush. They prefer areas with:

• Regenerating clear-cuts (5–20 years old)

• Aspen, birch, and oak stands

• Dense shrub cover near streams and ridges

In Alabama, ruffed grouse populations are limited and mostly found in the northern part of the state, particularly in the Appalachian foothills and higher-elevation forests.

 

Best Places to Hunt Ruffed Grouse in Alabama

1. Bankhead National Forest

Located in northwestern Alabama, Bankhead National Forest offers rugged terrain with mixed hardwoods, making it one of the best public land options for ruffed grouse. Focus on areas with recent timber cuts and thick undergrowth.

2. Talladega National Forest (Shoal Creek & Oakmulgee Districts)

The higher elevations of the Talladega National Forest, particularly around Cheaha Mountain, provide suitable habitat for grouse. Hunters should explore old logging roads and young forest patches.

3. Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)

Several Alabama WMAs allow grouse hunting, including:

• Black Warrior WMA (near Bankhead National Forest)

• Cahaba River WMA (limited but possible in brushy areas)

• Little River WMA (northeastern Alabama, near Georgia border)

Always check the latest Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) regulations for season dates and WMA-specific rules.

 

Alternative Upland Bird Hunting in Alabama

If ruffed grouse prove too elusive, Alabama offers excellent hunting for other upland birds, including:

• Bobwhite quail (on private lands and wildlife management areas)

• Woodcock (migratory birds with a winter presence)

• Doves (abundant in agricultural fields)

 

Conclusion

While ruffed grouse hunting in Alabama is a challenge due to limited populations, dedicated hunters may still find pockets of suitable habitat in the state’s northern forests. For a more reliable grouse hunting experience, traveling to neighboring states with healthier populations may be a better option. However, for those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt and the beauty of Alabama’s woodlands, pursuing ruffed grouse can be a nostalgic and adventurous endeavor.

Whether you’re a seasoned upland hunter or a newcomer to the sport, Alabama’s diverse landscapes offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the tradition of bird hunting. Happy hunting!

Have you ever encountered ruffed grouse in Alabama? Share your experiences in the comments!

 

PA Ruffed Grouse Society needs volunteers for planting, fencing

Want to help wildlife? Members of the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) are seeking volunteers for planting and fencing for wildlife from 9 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. April 19 in McKean County.

The volunteer work site is on lands open for public recreation use, locally called Bunker Hill, near Clermont. All volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at Clermont Park, which is on North Street in Clermont, across from Clermont Volunteer Fire Department Station 14. Volunteers will follow each other to the work site.

Reach Clermont by driving from Wilcox on Route 219 northeast on Wilcox-Clermont Road, or from Route 6 west of Smethport by driving south on State Route 146, Clermont Road.

All volunteers should register with Jed Hamberger at jedhamberger@gmail.com, so we can arrange enough tools for volunteers. All volunteers should wear boots and gloves, and bring safety glasses if you have them. Dress for the weather. This project will take place rain or shine.

The work is part of the society’s ongoing efforts to improve habitat for ruffed grouse, woodcock and other wildlife species. It will include creating early successional forest critical for young forest wildlife, including tree planting and fence repair.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone passionate about conservation and upland bird hunting to get involved and make a real impact,” said Hamberger, chapter president. “By improving habitat at Bunker Hill, we’re ensuring a better future for grouse, woodcock and a variety of other wildlife that depend on young forests. Not everyone is fiscally capable of making contributions at banquets and fundraising events but, they still want to contribute to the conservation mission of the Ruffed Grouse Society. Habitat projects like this are important for local chapters because they enable members and non-members to be involved and contribute.”

No special skills are needed.

Read the Full Bradford Era Article

 

Woodcock Banding | Video

 

Woodcock banding is probably the closest thing to actual upland hunting you can do in the spring, and is an extremely rewarding activity for any bird lover turned dog lover or dog lover turned bird lover, depending on the category of upland bird fanatic you place yourself in. Love for the dog work and love for the bird are the greatest drivers for the few hundred permitted individuals in Minnesota and Michigan who obsessively take to the dense covers where American woodcock nest during the spring. Ticks, poison ivy, indescribable mosquito hatches, and navigating the thickest of thick covers through thorns and eye-poking branches is not for the faint of heart, but once you hold a fuzzy timberdoodle chick in your hand for the first time, it is worth every moment of the search.

Best Places to Hunt Ruffed Grouse in New Hampshire

 

By RuffedGrouse.com staff

New Hampshire offers excellent opportunities for Ruffed Grouse hunting, particularly in the northern and central regions where forests provide ideal habitat. Here are some of the top spots:

 

1. Great North Woods (Coös County)

• The best grouse hunting in New Hampshire is often found in Coös County, which includes Pittsburg, Dixville Notch, and the Connecticut Lakes Region.
• Look for young aspen stands, alder thickets, and overgrown logging roads.

2. White Mountain National Forest

• Covering over 750,000 acres, this vast public land offers diverse terrain, from regenerating timber cuts to mixed hardwood forests.
• Focus on areas with thick understory, particularly near river bottoms and logging roads.

3. Connecticut River Valley

• This area offers a mix of farmland and young forest, creating ideal grouse habitat.
• Check Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) such as the Mascoma River WMA and Pondicherry WMA.

4. Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region

• WMAs and state forests like Pillsbury State Park provide excellent public land opportunities.
• Focus on edges of clear cuts and old orchards.

5. Lakes Region (Belknap & Carroll Counties)

• While more developed, pockets of young forests in conservation areas and state parks hold grouse.
• Look at areas near Squam Lake and the Ossipee Mountain region.

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Tips for Successful Ruffed Grouse Hunting

1. Focus on Habitat

• Ruffed Grouse thrive in young forests, especially areas with aspen, birch, and mixed hardwoods.
• Look for overgrown logging roads, alder swamps, and abandoned farms with thick cover.

2. Hunt the Edges

• Grouse are often found along habitat transitions—where hardwoods meet conifers or young cuts meet mature forest.
• Walk along edges of logging cuts, streambeds, and old stone walls.

3. Go Slow & Listen

• Walk at a slow pace, pausing frequently. Grouse often flush when you stop.
• Listen for drumming males or the rustling of birds moving in the underbrush.

4. Use a Well-Trained Dog

• A pointing or flushing dog can greatly improve your success rate by locating birds in thick cover.
• Springer Spaniels, English Setters, and German Shorthaired Pointers are excellent choices.

5. Time Your Hunts

• Early morning and late afternoon are prime times when birds are feeding.
• Midseason hunts (late October through November) offer great action as birds transition to winter cover.

6. Be Ready for Fast Flushes

• Grouse flush unpredictably and fast, often in thick cover.
• Keep your shotgun at the ready and be prepared to snap-shoot.
• A 20-gauge or 16-gauge with improved cylinder or modified choke works well.

7. Use the Right Ammunition

• No. 7.5 or No. 6 shot is ideal for grouse hunting, providing enough power without excessive meat damage.

8. Adjust for Weather Conditions

• On warm days, birds stick to shaded, moist cover.
• On cold, clear days, they may be found near sunlit openings feeding on buds.

By targeting prime habitats, moving methodically, and adjusting to conditions, you’ll improve your chances of bagging Ruffed Grouse in New Hampshire. Good luck and happy hunting!