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Press Release
Ruffed and sharp-tailed grouse numbers increasing (2003-06-03)
Minnesota DNR
Date: Mon Jun 02, 2003 01:52:29 PM US/Central
Minnesota’s ruffed grouse numbers increased slightly this year after three years of decline, indicating that the bird’s 10-year population cycle may be starting its upswing, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Statewide, drumming counts were up 13 percent compared with last year, with a significant increase of 33 percent in the central hardwoods, according to John Erb, DNR wildlife research biologist in Grand Rapids. The northwest, north-central and northeast drumming indices remained stable. Drumming counts increased 50 percent in the southeast, although the small number of routes in that part of the state has little effect on the statewide average.
Ruffed grouse populations are surveyed by counting the number of male ruffed grouse heard drumming on established routes throughout the state’s ruffed grouse range. This year, volunteers and DNR staff worked 129 routes. For the past half-century, DNR biologists have tracked ruffed grouse populations as they rise and fall in a predictable 10-year cycle.
“We will likely see a continued upswing in grouse numbers over the next four or five years, though the speed will depend on numerous factors such as nesting and brood rearing conditions, and winter severity,” Erb said. “Cold winters with relatively little snow, like that observed this winter, can negatively affect winter survival of grouse. However, our drumming indices do not suggest it caused any further decline in grouse numbers at the regional or statewide level. Hunters can expect similar to improved hunting opportunity this fall, assuming the weather is conducive to a productive nesting season.”
Minnesota continues as a leader in grouse hunting opportunities, with cyclic population lows often exceeding grouse peaks in other regions. The ruffed grouse 10-year population cycle occurs naturally. However, hunters have helped enhance populations overall through hunting license fees that help fund DNR habitat programs, providing the birds with improved food and cover. One such program is cooperative work among DNR wildlife managers and foresters to increase grouse habitat in state forests.
Minnesota’s 54th annual ruffed grouse drumming survey was conducted during spring, 2003. A total of 129 routes were completed. In addition to the Division of Wildlife, this year’s survey cooperators include Tamarac and Agassiz National Wildlife Refuges, Chippewa and Superior National Forests, Cass and Beltrami County Land Departments, Blandin Paper Company, 1854 Authority, Fond du Lac, Red Lake, Leech Lake, Grand Portage, and White Earth Indian Reservations, Vemillion College, and numerous private individuals.
Overall listening conditions were reported as excellent, good, and fair on 62%, 34%, and 4% of the routes, respectively. While drumming indices remain comparatively low, no regional declines were observed in 2003, suggesting we may be moving into the increase phase of the grouse cycle. Compared to 2002, drumming remained stable in the North-Central (1.0 drums/stop), Northeast (0.6 d/s), and Northwest (1.2 drums/stop). Drumming indices in the Central Hardwoods increased 33% to 0.8 drums/stop, while the Southeast increased 50% to 0.6 drums/stop. Statewide, drums increased 13% to 0.9 drums/stop, largely attributable to the increase in the Central Hardwoods.
Drumming Count Analysis
The drumming route survey report from MN DNR is completed, and the results show a 13% increase in grouse numbers state-wide. This sounds very encouraging, considering our dismal winter for grouse - little or no roosting snow and very cold weather. But looks are deceiving. The increase is largely due to a 33% increase in the central hardwoods zone and a 50% increase in the Southeastern zone. These are two of the zones that typically have lower counts. The northeast, northwest and northcentral zones, which represent the core of the ruffed grouse habitat in the state, all held stable at last year's level.
By Rick Horton
Drumming surveys only count surviving male grouse. The real impact of a bad winter is not so much in the death of birds, but in the condition of hens entering breeding season. If they have few reserves left to devote to egg development, you will see reduced egg numbers and chick survival. Therefore we won't know how this winter really effected the population until September 13th (the opener). On a positive note, we are having excellent hatching weather.
It is important to note that Minnesota is an excellent grouse hunting destination, even when the cycle is low. I like to remind people that our worst years are better than most states' best years. Half of the aspen forests in the eastern U.S. are in Minnesota. Thanks to an active forest products industry, much of it is in the younger age classes. Over 65% of the forested area of Minnesota is in public or industrial ownership and open to public hunting.
So where should hunters concentrate? The drumming index is measured in "drums per stop", or d/s. The more drums heard per stop, the higher the grouse population. The northwest zone, from Bemidji north, still has the highest index at 1.2 d/s, followed by the northcentral around Grand Rapids (1.0 d/s), then the central around Brainerd (0.8 d/s) and the northeast (Ely) and southeast (Rochester) both at 0.6 d/s. Different ownerships manage their aspen in different ways, so it is often best to focus on tax forfeited lands managed by the counties, then state lands, then federal (US Forest Service) property. In any case you want to seek dense young aspen or other hardwoods. In the central zone look for dogwood patches when the berries are ripe. In the north look for tag alder swamp edges. For the best hunting get off of the trails and into the cover. Bring a compass, but don't trust it if you hunt near the iron range....
Rick Horton
Forest Wildlife Biologist
Ruffed Grouse Society
Subject: Grouse Information Update
Rick Horton
Forest Wildlife Biologist
Ruffed Grouse Society
The Forest Service will be holding public meetings to discuss the draft revised forest plans for the Chippewa and Superior National Forests at the following locations. All meetings will be from 5-8 p.m.
• Wednesday June 11 - Gunflint Ranger District office - Grand Marais
• Thursday June 12 - Radisson Motel, Cleveland Avenue - Roseville
• Monday June 16 - Inn on the Lake - Duluth
• Tuesday June 17 - Northern Inn - Bemidji
• Wednesday June 18 - Days Inn - Eveleth
• Thursday June 19 - Sawmill Inn - Grand Rapids
RGS encourages sportsmen to attend these meetings and learn how the proposed changes in forest management will effect game habitat and access to the forest.
RGS participated in the Minnesota Loggers Education Program's training classes this spring, presenting a section on wildlife management to over 600 loggers in 10 workshops around the state. Key concepts included:
• Loggers are the ultimate wildlife managers because their actions directly determine the future wildlife use of the forest.
• Something can be done in every forest type to improve it for game production.
• Everything you do in a forest, including doing nothing, benefits some species and is harmful to others.
• Talk to landowners and help them achieve their goals on their property.
Minnesota RGS chapters held two excellent youth events this spring. The Rum River Chapter in Cambridge hosted over 100 youths at the Isanti County Sportsmen's Club, where they learned grouse hunting basics along with turkey calling and hunting, deer hunting, duck hunting and wing shooting skills. The event was co-hosted by the Isanti County Sportsmen's Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. The Central Minnesota Chapter in St. Cloud held a youth shoot at Le Blanc's Rice Creek Preserve in Little Falls. Over 50 area youths heard a presentation on grouse hunting in Minnesota before getting several hours of one-on-one wingshooting instruction from local experts.
RGS met with Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance (MOHA) President Mark Labarbara to discuss working cooperatively on natural resources issues. We then attended the MOHA Legislative Caucus meeting.
RGS has been asked to participate in a sportsmen's advisory committee for U.S. Senator Norm Coleman. The committee exists to provide Senator Coleman with input on national issues important to the outdoor recreation community in the state.
RGS participated in the Institutes for Journalism & Natural Resources' annual spring tour. Fourteen environmental journalists from across the U.S. and Canada spent several days traveling through the upper Great Lakes region meeting with natural resources professionals and interested stakeholders to learn about outdoor issues. RGS, state and federal forest managers, university researchers and the Sierra Club aired their respective positions on forest management.
FYI - Due to Mad Cow Disease popping up in Canada, the U.S. has banned the importation of ruminants from Canada. That includes any and all parts of moose, deer, elk and caribou. Unless this ban is lifted before hunting season it could have profound effects on sportsmen traveling north for adventure. Stay tuned.....
RGS met with DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam, Deputy Commissioner Mark Holsten and Division of Wildlife Director Tim Bremicker. RGS demonstrated to the DNR that ruffed grouse are the most important upland bird in the state in terms of hunter numbers, harvest levels and economic impact. Sportsmen currently find the highest quantity and quality grouse habitat, with the most public access, here in Minnesota. We expressed that we appreciate some of the recent positive actions to support grouse management in the state, such as the formation of a grouse committee, and the discussions of a grouse biologist position and possible dedicated funding for grouse research and management. However, in the past the DNR has largely relied upon standard aspen forest management practices to maintain grouse habitat. Changing attitudes regarding aspen are making it necessary for the Division of Wildlife to take a more proactive role in grouse management. We stated our intention to maintain our partnership with the DNR and offered our expertise and funding for the effort to maintain the current abundance of grouse, rather than waiting until populations crash then fighting to restore past glory days. The Commissioner expressed a desire to work with us towards that goal. We sincerely appreciate the spirit of cooperation we currently enjoy in the DNR administration.
National Forest News
• RGS met with Superior National Forest District Rangers Connie Chaney, Jackie Andrew and Mark Van Every, as well as planner Duane Lula and biologist Ed Lindquist to discuss aspen management in recent projects and offer some options for meeting the diverse public expectations of the forest. We left with an understanding to meet again this summer in the field to explore these options further. For more information see the attached follow-up letter to Supervisor Jim Sanders (Sanders 5-13-03.doc).
• Chippewa Forest Supervisor Norm Waggoner begins June 1. RGS will attempt to meet with him at his earliest convenience.
• The revised Chippewa/Superior Forest Plan is available for public comment. It is a hefty document, but well worth reading and commenting on if you hope to hunt and fish on these forests in the future. There will be several public meetings between now and the comment deadline August 11. We will try to keep you apprised. Remember: The world belongs to those who show up - right now, hunters are not showing up enough to be heard.
• RGS provided comments in the scoping phase of the Leech Lake River project and on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Cass Lake Project on the Chippewa (see attached). Blackduck District Ranger Tracy Beck selected Alternative C in his recent decision on the Cass Lake project. This is the first time in 3 years that a ranger has selected an alternative preferred by RGS. We will be meeting with him soon to begin planning for the upcoming Rambling Woods project.
• The Blackduck District on the Chippewa (218-835-4291) has released a draft EA for the Sand Plain Project. Public comments are being taken until June 19th. The Walker District (218-547-1044) has released a draft EA for the Boy River Project. Public comments are being taken until June 22. Please contact these Districts if you wish to provide input.
• The LaCroix Ranger District of the Superior Forest has released its decision on the Holmes/Chipmunk Timber Sale EIS. They have selected Alternative 5, which harvests 3,818 acres of mature and overmature aspen, balsam fir and birch. Over 1,500 acres will then be actively converted to conifers, while 2,217 acres will be regenerated to the original forest type.
Several Management Area Projects have been submitted for funding this spring, including brush regeneration in Koochiching County, wildlife opening maintenance throughout Cass County, assistance with a land acquisition in Isanti County, construction of a woodcock habitat demonstration area near Brainerd, and constructing a trail connection loop on the Louis Peloquin Ruffed Grouse Management Area in St. Louis County. In addition we are once again sponsoring several youths attending Upland Bird Camp at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve near Walker.
The DNR has finished compiling the grouse drumming count data for the year. Out of respect for them I will not distribute the results for a couple days so they can get their press release out. Suffice to say that it is not as dismal as RGS had predicted earlier in the winter.
West Nile Disease will likely be popping up in Minnesota again soon. This is a reminder to all horse owners to get your animals properly vaccinated against the disease. We still don't know the long-term ramification of WNV on bird populations in the US. We do know that it hits crows, jays, hawks and owls particularly hard. DNR disease expert Joe Marcino has expressed a desire to collect serum samples at the National Hunt this year to test for WNV in grouse and woodcock
That's all for now. Please take the time to get involved in these issues when the opportunity arises. An educated sportsman is a dangerous sportsman, but only if s/he uses that knowledge!!
www.twincitiesrgs.org