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.
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. The information from this survey will help us develop an index of grouse distribution and abundance when viewed over time and over large geographic regions.
If you would like to participate, a Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey form will be available for download from this site in April. You can use this form to record the number of drumming male grouse you hear or see while turkey hunting this spring. Please record every turkey hunting trip whether you observe grouse drumming or not. When you do hear or see 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 to assist you in completing your survey (463 kb PDF).
Please return your completed survey to:
NYSDEC
Grouse Drumming Survey
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4754
Thanks for your help!
More about Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey:
- 2009 Drumming Survey Results - A summary of results for the grouse drumming survey for 2009.
