Lehigh Valley Chapter Ruffed Grouse Society planting trees
The Ruffed Grouse Society's Lehigh Valley Chapter invites the public to join it for its Habitat Day Saturday, April 13, on State Game Lands 217 on the Blue Mountain.
Ruffed Grouse Society members and other volunteers will be planting young evergreen trees in an area that has been clear cut recently to benefit ruffed grouse as well as other wildlife like deer, rabbits and songbirds. The work is being supported through a $2,500 Drummer Fund Grant the chapter received from the national RGS.
Anyone interested in lending a hand should meet at 8 a.m. April 13, in the parking lot across from Boyer's Hardware, 130 Main St., Slatington. Coffee, donuts and a light lunch will be provided as part of the day.
For information, contact Jim Boburka at info@boburkavideo.com.
Snow doesn't slow down ruffed grouse
Snow that’s deep enough for skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling -– and swearing -– covers much of Wisconsin as we trudge out of March, but while wintery Aprils can plague white-tailed deer, they don’t faze ruffed grouse.
That’s especially true if the grouse can bury themselves in snow overnight for protection from predators and cold temperatures. Ruffed grouse, after all, are the Eskimos of the bird world. But instead of building shelters from blocks of snow cut with saws and shovels, grouse simply dive head first into snow banks to end a flight, or stand atop the snow and shuffle in place until submerged.
Those entry techniques become difficult as snow melts, freezes and compacts, but as long as it’s 8 inches or deeper, grouse usually make it work. Still, they prefer light, deep and fluffy snow, which is seldom a problem during North Woods winters.
My friends and I often find the grouse’s abandoned snow roosts in Ashland County while hunting deer season in late November and early December, or when snowshoeing in February. No matter the roost’s construction, we always stop to investigate, maybe because bird architecture never loses its interest.
Sometimes snow roosts are just softball-sized potholes with grouse tracks leading away. Other times they’re flanked by matching wingtips in the snow where grouse launched themselves from shallow caves.
Still other snow roosts –- called “kieppes” -– link to a collapsed tunnel. A closer look at the tunnel’s far end usually reveals the bird’s entry point. Grouse burrow the horizontal tunnel in between for one to three yards before settling into their overnight roost.
Biologists assume grouse dig these short tunnels to disguise their roosts from foxes, coyotes and bobcats, much as cottontails do when building snow tunnels to their burrows. That’s probably a safe assumption, but there’s no doubting the thermal protection of the roost itself.
There’s been lots of research into the ruffed grouse’s “thermal energetics.” That’s the temperature where grouse must increase their metabolism and body heat to maintain proper functions.
When must grouse start burning extra energy? Well, some experts say it’s 40 degrees and other say it’s 28 degrees. Either way, ruffed grouse are built for harsh winters, and that means surviving temperatures far colder than the 30s.
Scott Walter, the Department of Natural Resources’ upland ecologist, said when he was conducting research with students at UW-Richland Center before his DNR days, he calculated that grouse roosting beneath snow burned 2.5 times less energy than those roosting above it.
Ruffed Grouse Society Annual outdoor youth event set in Marshfield WI
The West Central Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will host its annual Youth Education Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 at the Les & Melody Bergdahl property, 11192 Bluff Drive, Marshfield.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. Each youth participating will receive a free hat.
Supervised activities will include hunter safety, archery, rifle range, BB gun shooting, laser shoot and fly fishing. Equipment will be provided to those who need it.
In addition, there will be dog demonstrations. A round of sporting clays is available to all youths ages 12 to 18 with parent or guardian (guns and ammo provided), and an introductory archery lesson (bows provided) is being offered.
The free rain-or-shine event, which includes lunch, is open to youngsters ages 18 and younger. Advance registration is not required. Participants are advised to bring tick repellent and wear waterproof footwear.
For more information and directions, call Rich Chronquist at 715-387-1163 (days), 715-387-3875 (evenings) or email rchronquist@hotmail.com.
Original Marshfield Herald Article
Walker appoints Zimmer to Natural Resources Board
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker has appointed wildlife biologist Gary Zimmer to the Natural Resources Board.
He announced the appointment Friday during a tour of forestry businesses in northwestern Wisconsin.
The seven-member board sets policy for the Department of Natural Resources.
Zimmer workers as a regional wildlife biologist at the Ruffed Grouse Society. He also worked 18 years for the U.S. Forest Service and for 12 of those years he was a district biologist.
Walker says Zimmer has a long and distinguished career and his knowledge will be a "huge asset" to the board. The governor says Zimmer will be able to advocate for sustainable ways to manage the state's forests.
Wounded Warriors Create Grouse Habitat - Video
VERY COOL VIDEO: Wounded Warriors Create Grouse Habitat:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1278844113?bctid=1651198730001
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1278844113?bctid=1651198730001
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