The Ruffed Grouse Society Holds 33rd Annual National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt in Grand Rapids, MN
Ruffed Grouse Society 10.08.14
It’s finally October, and for many of us, that means grouse and woodcock hunting is in full swing. To celebrate the season, the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is holding the 33rd annual National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt (NGWH) in Grand Rapids, Minnesota on October 7 through October 10, 2014. Since 1982, the NGWH has delivered a forum to promote the organization’s wildlife conservation activities, to provide an opportunity to study grouse and woodcock ecology and to celebrate the sporting traditions inherent in grouse and woodcock hunting.
NGWH participants stay at the Sawmill Inn of Grand Rapids. The event features a sporting clays competition and outdoor festival at the Grand Rapids Gun Club, which includes professional shooting instruction, interaction with Purina and SportDOG representatives and a deluxe barbecue. Hunting will occur on Thursday, October 9 and Friday October 10 followed by various social events at the Sawmill Inn.
The NGWH provides an unparalleled opportunity to study the population ecology of these important upland game birds. The manner in which the NGWH is structured makes it unique in the field of wildlife research and so valuable to wildlife conservation. The data collection and research is done by RGS regional wildlife biologists.
The late Gordon W. Gullion, universally acknowledged as the world’s foremost expert on ruffed grouse, recognized the scientific potential of the NGWH when it was first held in 1982. He understood that because it is conducted in the same locale at the same time each year and consistently adheres to the same methods, it provides an outstanding opportunity to study the annual variation of the local ruffed grouse population and how that variation relates to the 10-year cycle.
For over 30 years, the NGWH has provided invaluable insight into the ecology of these two premier game birds. RGS will continue to ask questions and, hopefully, find answers through the NGWH that will help secure the future for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and the sportsmen and women who hold them so dear.
Contact:
Matt Soberg
(218) 232-6227
editor@ruffedgrousesociety.org
Healthy Forests. Abundant Wildlife. Sporting Traditions.
Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife. RGS works with landowners and government agencies to develop critical habitat utilizing scientific management practices.
