For Release: Friday, September 17, 2004

DEC Seeks Input from Ruffed Grouse Hunters for Study

Department Will Use Information To Monitor New York's Grouse Population

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today announced a new study that will monitor and learn more about New York's ruffed grouse population. As part of this study, DEC is seeking input from ruffed grouse hunters by participating in a survey that records hunting activities and sightings of the birds.

"The ruffed grouse is one of New York's most popular native game birds," Commissioner Crotty said. "This survey will help provide DEC with an increased understanding of this important species and I invite all grouse hunters to work with us to help make this study as comprehensive as possible."

Each year, approximately 75,000 grouse hunters harvest 225,000 grouse. 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 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. The information recorded by grouse hunters in this survey will provide insight into statewide population distributions and trends for this popular game species as habitats change both locally and on a landscape scale.

The new DEC 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 grouse flushed, the number of hours hunted, the number of grouse killed, and if a dog was used to hunt grouse. The primary purpose of the log is to monitor the number of birds flushed per hour. Changes in the flushing rate illustrate trends in the grouse population when viewed over a long period of time. New York will cooperate with other states by evaluating flushing rates and determining if there are regional differences in the relative abundance of ruffed grouse.

Each grouse hunter is asked to complete a log and return it to DEC at the end of the grouse hunting season. The original log, along with an annual report, will be returned to each cooperator. It's a great way to partner with DEC and find out more about this beautiful game bird. To participate in the survey and obtain a Cooperator Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log, the form can be obtained on the DEC website or by contacting the following:

By Mail:: Mike Murphy; Reynolds Game Farm; 81 Game Farm Road; Ithaca, New York 14850-2803
By Phone:: (607) 273-3763
By E-mail:: fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (Subject: Grouse Log)

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