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Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey

The ruffed grouse is a forest species widely distributed across New York State. While some grouse are found in more mature forests, the greatest population densities are in younger-aged forests. These preferred habitats are declining as most of New York State's forests grow older, thus resulting in a decline in grouse numbers since the 1960s.

Line drawing of a ruffed grouse

Turkey hunters in pursuit of that wary gobbler in the spring are ideally suited for monitoring ruffed grouse during the breeding season. The characteristic sound of a drumming male grouse is as much a part of the spring woods as yelping hens and gobbling toms.

DEC currently monitors grouse populations in the fall through the Cooperator Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log where hunters record the number of birds flushed per hour of hunting effort. The Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey survey provides a harvest-independent index of grouse distribution and abundance during the critical breeding season in the spring.

If you would like to participate, print or download the 2012 Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey form (PDF) (28 kB). You can use this form to record the number of drumming male grouse you hear while turkey hunting this spring. Please record every turkey hunting trip whether you observe grouse drumming or not. When you do hear a grouse, be sure to record each drumming male only once. More detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the data sheet. You can also view, print, or download a map of Wildlife Management Units (PDF) (452 kB) to assist you in completing your survey.

Please return your completed survey to:
NYSDEC
Grouse Drumming Survey
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4754

Results from previous years can be viewed using the links in the left-hand column.

Thanks for your help!


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