Top Public Land Locations for Ruffed Grouse Hunting in Michigan

 

Michigan is widely regarded as one of the best states for ruffed grouse hunting, thanks to its vast forests, abundant young aspen stands, and extensive public land opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or a beginner looking to flush these fast-flying birds, Michigan's public lands offer prime habitat. Here are some of the top public land locations for ruffed grouse hunting in the Great Lakes State.

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1. Ruffed Grouse Management Areas (RGMAs)

Michigan’s Ruffed Grouse Management Areas (RGMAs) are specifically managed to enhance grouse habitat. These areas focus on maintaining young forests, particularly aspen stands, which provide ideal cover and food for grouse.

Notable RGMAs:

• Atlanta RGMA (Montmorency County) – One of the best spots in the state, with excellent aspen regeneration.

• Pigeon River Country (Otsego & Cheboygan Counties) – A mix of dense cover and open areas, great for both grouse and woodcock.

• Black Lake RGMA (Presque Isle County) – Features well-managed habitat with high grouse densities.

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2. State Forests

Michigan’s state forest system provides millions of acres of public hunting land, much of which holds strong grouse populations.

Top State Forests for Grouse:

• Mackinaw State Forest (Northern Lower Peninsula) – Known for its mix of aspen, oak, and conifer stands.

• Pere Marquette State Forest (Lake, Osceola, Clare Counties) – Offers excellent early-successional forests.

• Hiawatha National Forest (Upper Peninsula) – A vast area with prime grouse habitat, especially near clear-cuts and young forests.

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3. National Forests

Michigan’s national forests provide some of the most remote and productive grouse hunting in the state.

Best National Forests for Grouse:

• Huron-Manistee National Forest (Lower Peninsula) – Features extensive aspen stands and logging roads that make for great hunting.

• Ottawa National Forest (Upper Peninsula) – Remote and less pressured, with strong grouse numbers in regenerating timber areas.

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4. State Game Areas (SGAs)

Several State Game Areas are managed for upland birds and provide excellent grouse hunting opportunities.

Top SGAs for Grouse:

• Grayling FMU (Crawford County) – A hotspot near the famed "Grouse Capital" of Michigan.

• Mio SGA (Oscoda County) – Well-managed for early-successional forest species.

• Barry State Game Area (Barry County) – A solid option for southern Michigan hunters.

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5. County and Local Forest Lands

Many counties in Michigan maintain public forests that hold good grouse populations.

Notable County Forests:

• Oscoda County Forest – Features well-managed aspen cuts.

• Alpena County Forest – Less crowded than state lands but still productive.

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Tips for Hunting Ruffed Grouse in Michigan

• Focus on young aspen stands (5-20 years old) – These provide the best cover and food.

• Hunt edges and transitions – Grouse love areas where forest types meet.

• Early morning and late afternoon are the most active times.

• Bring a good bird dog (if possible) – A well-trained dog can greatly improve success.

• Combine grouse and woodcock hunting – They often share the same habitat in fall.

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Final Thoughts

Michigan’s public lands offer some of the best ruffed grouse hunting in the country. Whether you're in the Upper Peninsula or the northern Lower Peninsula, targeting young forests and managed areas will increase your chances of flushing these elusive birds. Grab your shotgun, scout some logging roads, and enjoy one of Michigan’s finest hunting traditions!

MI DNR Small Game Website 

Michigan 2014 Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Forecast

Ryan Vander Wagen, C. Alan Stewart and Lori Sargent

Spring Breeding Surveys Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey Ruffed grouse drumming counts were conducted statewide from 105 survey routes during April and May 2014.

Significant weather conditions during the survey periods delayed couple route regionally

in 2014.

There was an average of 12.43 drums heard per routes statewide, a 16% increase from 2013 (10.77) average (Figure 8). Highest drumming counts were in Zone 1(Upper Peninsula; 14.86), following Zone 2 (Northern Lower Peninsula; 11.64) and Zone 3 (Southern Lower Peninsula; 4.14)

(Figure 7).

Woodcock Singing

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ground Survey Results of Michigan Woodcock singing - ground survey were based on preliminary analysis of data from 95 survey routes (Cooper and Rau 2014). There was significant changes in the woodcock index for Michigan in 2013 and 2014 were detected. An average of 5.43 and 5.20 singing males were heard per route in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

The 2013 Central Region index, consisting of information from Illinois, Indiana, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Ontario and Wisconsin, was significantly different from 2013 (n=408

, P<0.05). In the Central Region, there was an average of 2.70 and 2.57 singing males heard per route in 2013 and 2014, respectively (Cooper and Rau 2014).

Significant declines in the number of singing males were detected in Michigan and Central Region during 2014 - 2014. This is the first time in three years that the trend has shown a decline in the

Central Region (Cooper and Rau 2014). Michigan and the Central Region have experienced an average Long - term decline of 0.77% and 0.90% per year, respectively, since 1968 (P<0.05; Cooper

and Rau 2014).

Read the full Michigan DNR article

Michigan 2013 Grouse Forecast

Michigan 2013 Spring Breeding Surveys

Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey

Ruffed grouse drumming counts were conducted statewide 
along 97 survey routes during April and May 2013. 
There was an average of 10.7 drums heard per routes 
statewide, a 13 % decline from 2012 (12.3) average

(Figure 8). 

Highest drumming counts were in Zone 1 
(Upper Peninsula; 14.4), following by Zone 2 
(Northern Lower Peninsula; 9.4) and Zone 3 
(Southern Lower Peninsula; 6.4) (Figure 7).

In 2012, 103 survey routes were conducted statewide and 
paired t - tests were performed to statistically compare 
data from 87 identical routes run in both 2012 and 2013. 

Statewide there was a 10.3 % decrease 
(n=87; t=1.15 , P=0.25) in the average number of 
drums heard per route between 2012 (11.8) and 2013 
(10.6). Analysis at the regional scale indicated there 
was no significant difference (n=26; t=0.82 , P=0.41) 
in the number of drums heard per route in Zone 1 
(Upper Peninsula) between 2012 (17.4) and 2013 (14.9). 
There was no significant change in the average number 
of drums heard per route in Zone 2 
(Northern Lower Peninsula)

between 2012 (9.9) and 2013 (9.1; n=53 ; t= 0.90 , P=0.38 ).

In zone 3, there were 8 routes conducted in both 2012 
and 2013. Due to the low sample size, statistical analysis 
at the Zone 3 regional scale is not appropriate.

See the Michigan DNR Report for the full study

Observations from the 2012 Ruffed Grouse Opener

I had the good fortune of celebrating the ruffed grouse hunting opener in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula over the weekend with a large contingent of my immediate family. While we didn’t spend every moment of daylight scouring the woods, four ruffs found their way into our game vests. In the afterglow of barbecued grouse jalapeno poppers, I offer the following observations:

• The Woods were Grousey! Although all Midwest drumming counts will indicate our slide on the downward side of the grouse cycle, there are absolutely enough birds to keep the aspen and alder woods exciting. Our group averaged 2.5 grouse flushes per hour in four hours of hunting on Saturday and one hour of hunting on Sunday. And our group included me, my brother, his 10-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter, my mom, my dad and two shorthairs. In other words, we weren’t exactly a stealth group of grouse hunters.
• A Special Family Opener. Many folks will complain about the grouse opener being too warm or tough hunting with the woods filled with leaves. The grouse opener is particularly special to me and has become a St.Pierre family tradition. A little over 13 years ago, my dad suffered an aneurysm that nearly took his life. Thanks to medicine and miracles, I am always thankful to spend another walk through the September grouse woods with my dad. This year was extra special as my brother joined us for his first bird hunt in two decades. And, to top it off my niece and nephew slapped on their blaze orange Pheasants Forever gear and joined the family tradition. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
• Grouse Broods already Dispersed. It seems the grouse family groups had already broken up in the grouse covers we walked. Every flush was a solo bird. Perhaps the early spring in the Northwoods did indeed result in an earlier hatch. If that were to be the case, it’d make sense for the grouse family groups to already be broken.
• Crazy about Timberdoodles. I was amazed by the number of woodcock we encountered on opening weekend: the most I can ever remember on a grouse opener. Presumably, the migration hasn’t yet begun so these would have been local ‘doodles. We averaged 3.5 woodcock flushes per hour. My older shorthair, Trammell, showed mid-season form pointing numerous woodcock right out of the gates, which presented a number of “honoring” opportunities for my 6-month-old pup, Izzy. NOTE: Michigan’s woodcock hunting season doesn’t up until September 22nd.

More observations and complete OutdoorNews Article