Minnesota Horse and Gun Club
2920 220th Street E, Prior Lake, MN 55372
2 P.M.
REGISTRATION
2:30 P.M.
SHOTGUN START
4 P.M.
POST-SHOOT
APPETIZERS
CASH BAR
4 P.M. - 6 P.M.
SILENT AUCTION
& GUN RAFFLES
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Proceeds benefit the
Ruffed Grouse Society’s
conservation efforts.
Pricing and Registration
WI 2023 11% decrease statewide in ruffed grouse drumming activity from 2022
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that data is now available from annual spring surveys of Wisconsin ruffed grouse, pheasant and waterfowl.
The spring surveys showed ruffed grouse and pheasant counts below the 5-year average, including an 11% decrease statewide in ruffed grouse drumming activity from 2022.
The decreases observed in the ruffed grouse and pheasant populations in this year's surveys were not unexpected.
“We are entering the down phase of the 10-year abundance cycle,” said Brian Dhuey, DNR Wildlife Surveys Specialist. “It is likely we will continue to see some declines in abundance in the coming years before we start to see increases, with the peak of the next cycle likely coming around 2029, 2030 or 2031. While the number of birds detected is down overall, there will still be pockets of good ruffed grouse abundance, although these areas will be fewer and harder to find this fall.”
2023 MN Ruffed grouse counts remain high in core of ruffed grouse range
Minnesota’s ruffed grouse spring population counts are up again from last year and are similar to other recent peaks in the 10-year population cycle of grouse — a pattern recorded for 72 years, according to a study from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR and its partners use spring drumming counts to help monitor the ruffed grouse breeding population through time.
The recent grouse population trend includes a low point in the cycle in 2021 that was not as low as previous lows, followed by unexpectedly higher counts in 2022 and again this year.
Warm temperatures and dry conditions that favor high nest success and chick survival the past two years may partly explain the quicker than expected rise to levels like recent peaks in the 10-year cycle. Snow conditions also were favorable for roosting throughout much of the core of grouse range during the past two winters.
“While ruffed grouse drumming counts are up in the core of ruffed grouse range, they are not an accurate way to predict the birds that will be present during the fall hunting season,” said Charlotte Roy, DNR grouse project leader. “Nesting success and chick survival during the spring and summer are among the factors that influence the number of birds present in the fall.”
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 drums on established routes throughout the state’s forested regions.
“In a typical year, we have 13 cooperating organizations providing folks to help us count grouse drumming,” Roy said. “We are grateful to our federal and tribal partners for their assistance in completing routes.”
The ruffed grouse survey report can be found on the grouse management webpage of the DNR website.
Twin Cities MN Chapter Birds & Brew Monday, June 19, 2023 6 - 8 p.m.
Birds & Brew
Monday, June 19, 2023
6 - 8 p.m.
Boom Island Brewing
5959 Baker Road #320
Minnetonka, MN 55345
6 - 8 p.m.
Boom Island Brewing
5959 Baker Road #320
Minnetonka, MN 55345
Join the Twin Cities Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society
for a fun meet-and-greet event at Boom Island Brewing.
The Twin Cities Chapter is looking for passionate individuals to
volunteer on the committee and help with events.
RGS & AWS welcomes any and all members and non-members to attend this event, learn about RGS & AWS and talk about all things upland hunting!
|
|
|
|
Gordon Wright
or
Sam Tillman, RGS & AWS Regional Engagement Coordinator
412-742-5144
RGS Hiring Integrated Forest Habitat Biologist – 2 Positions WI
Job Type: Integrated Forest Habitat Biologist – 2 Positions
Locations: Hayward, WI and Rhinelander, WI
Supervisors: Jon Steigerwaldt – Forest Conservation Director
Region: Great Lakes/Upper Midwest
Starting Date: March 20, 2023
Term of Position: March 2023 to July 2024, likely to be extended with additional funding
Background and Primary Duties:
Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is North America’s foremost conservation
organization dedicated to creating healthy forests, abundant wildlife, and promoting a conservation
ethic. Together with the American Woodcock Society (AWS), established in 2014, RGS & AWS work
with private landowners and government agencies to develop critical wildlife habitat utilizing
scientific management practices.
The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) in partnership with the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), are looking to hire 2 motivated individuals to
work effectively with private landowners, industrial land owners, multiple state property managers,
multiple county forests, and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest on forest habitat
improvement initiatives. The Integrated Forest Habitat Biologist will function as a biologist,
technical service provider, and forest habitat manager across multiple forest ownerships in
Northern Wisconsin. The position will work with and under existing conservation staff to provide
habitat/timber treatment planning, habitat project administration, contract development and
oversight support, on-the-ground field assessments, stand evaluations, project prescriptions and
layout for improving habitat, biological surveys, and conduct public outreach.
These term positions will implement vegetation management project planning, design, and
monitoring on a diversity of forest lands. Active forest management efforts will be implemented to
achieve wildlife, silviculture and timber objectives. In particular, the position will focus on restoring
forest structure, composition, and age-class diversity to assist the recovery of Eastern forest birds
and other forest wildlife that are dependent on specific forest types such as early successional, open,
or fire dependent ecosystems within the northern forest types of Wisconsin.
Qualifications:
• A passion for wildlife conservation and forestry.
• Knowledge in the field of Wildlife Management, including: habitat management, young forest
habitat management, deer management, vegetation surveys, and wildlife surveys. Experience
in conservation biology and/or plan writing are a plus.
• Knowledge in the field of Forest Management, including: forest inventory, timber marking,
GPS data collection, forest operations, and silviculture. Ability to assess wildlife habitat and
make connections between forest management and wildlife habitat needs. Experience in
environmental regulations and/or project management are a plus.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills, well organized, and ability to engage a
diversity of stakeholders, private land owners, and public lands managers.
• Knowledge of project planning prerequisites such as NEPA, National Heritage Inventory,
and cultural resources reviews as they pertain to public and private lands.
• Ability to track accomplishments and produce reports with guidance from other team
members.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)