For Release: Wednesday, September 20, 2006
DEC Seeking Input from Ruffed Grouse Hunters
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan announced today that the Department is once again looking for hunters to cooperate in a long-term study aimed at monitoring ruffed grouse populations. The study, referred to as the "Cooperator Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log," involves hunters keeping a daily diary or "log" of their grouse hunting activity and success.
The hunting log requests information such as the number of hours hunted, the number of grouse flushed, 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.
During the 2005-06 ruffed grouse hunting season, DEC conducted the second annual Cooperator Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log. We extend a sincere thank you to all 284 hunters that participated. Grouse log participants reported data from over 2,800 hunting trips across the state.
They spent almost 8,000 hours afield and flushed over 8,000 grouse (1 flush/hour). Overall, hunters spent fewer hours afield during 2005-06, but they flushed and harvested more grouse and had a higher average number of grouse flushed per hunter for the season than during 2004-05 (0.8 flush/hour). The higher flush rate observed last year may be related to improved production during the breeding season associated with favorable weather conditions in the spring and early summer.
With only two years of data it is difficult to draw any strong conclusions about grouse distribution and abundance; however, the first two seasons were important steps in monitoring grouse populations. Over time, the efforts of participating hunters will help wildlife managers answer questions about the status and conservation of ruffed grouse in New York State.
The ruffed grouse is one of New York's most popular native game birds. Annually, approximately 75,000 grouse hunters harvest 150,000 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-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. 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.
Hunters interested in participating can contact the Department by mail, phone, or e-mail.
By Mail/Phone: Mike Murphy
Reynolds Game Farm
81 Game Farm Road
Ithaca, New York 14850-2803
(607) 273-3763
By E-mail: fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Subject: Grouse Log
If preferred, hunters can download a form and view the full report for 2005-06 from the DEC at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/33033.html.
Each grouse hunter is asked to complete a log and return it to the Department 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 the Department and find out more about this beautiful game bird.
