New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging hunters to participate in a surveys for ruffed grouse during this fall's hunting seasons. The ruffed grouse is one of New York's …
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging hunters to participate in a surveys for ruffed grouse during this fall's hunting seasons.
The ruffed grouse is one of New York's most popular native game birds. Annually, around 75,000 grouse hunters harvest 150,000 grouse. The ruffed grouse is a forest species that is widely distributed across New York State. While some grouse are found in more mature forests, the greatest population densities are in younger forests. These preferred habitats are declining as most of New York State's forests grow older, resulting in a decline in grouse numbers since the 1960s.
This survey asks hunters to record their daily grouse hunting activities on a "Cooperator Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log." The hunting log requests information such as the number of hours hunted, number of grouse flushed, and the number of birds killed. Starting this fall, hunters are also asked to record the number of woodcock they flush while afield. Grouse and woodcock share many of the same habitats, so the information will help monitor populations of both of these great game birds as habitats change both locally and on a landscape scale.
Hunters interested in participating can download a Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log from the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9351.html to record their observations. Detailed instructions can be found with the form. Survey forms can also be obtained by calling (518) 402-8886 or by e-mailing fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us.