A sad farewell to Ruffed Grouse?

Bo D are you in the northern bush landscape of 60, or the southern end that has lots of agricultural activity? The southern end of 60 is devoid of birds.

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Originally Posted by Fenelon

Bo D are you in the northern bush landscape of 60, or the southern end that has lots of agricultural activity? The southern end of 60 is devoid of birds.

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It seems very localized BoD is probably no more than 12 klms from my place, he says he is seeing good numbers and I am seeing very bad numbers.

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Originally Posted by FishHog

I think its a lot more to do with habitat loss. Used to be everyone had 100-200 acre farms and there was lots of fence lines/edges. Now they are all grouped together into 1000 acre lots and all get combined at once, and no edge territory that they need. When you add coyotes on top of no habitat, you lose populations very quickly.

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I agree with you when it comes to habitat loss for european hare and cottontail, but not for grouse in the areas I hunt. If anything, the habitat has improved due to selective logging in the closed hardwood stands. Secondary conifer understories are still intact and the new early successions growth has made these areas better for grouse. The birds are simply not there anymore.

The last few years I am seeing more birds every year in 72A, at least where I hunt. I have hunted these same woods for grouse for 50 years.
There are lots drumming in the spring too. Yet we are limited to 2 birds per day.

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Originally Posted by Fenelon

Bo D are you in the northern bush landscape of 60, or the southern end that has lots of agricultural activity? The southern end of 60 is devoid of birds.

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Our property is approximately 9 clicks north of Coe Hill Fenelon....

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Originally Posted by FishHog

I think its a lot more to do with habitat loss. Used to be everyone had 100-200 acre farms and there was lots of fence lines/edges. Now they are all grouped together into 1000 acre lots and all get combined at once, and no edge territory that they need. When you add coyotes on top of no habitat, you lose populations very quickly.

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bingo.

I know the Ruffed Grouse Society was asking hunters for reports on sightings or drumming heard during the Spring Turkey hunt. There has been the odd sighting near me here in 90B .

In 65 this year the areas I go I have seen more than in the past.
At Marlborough forest I have also seen more.

My best friend in Mackey Ontario has also seen great numbers this year around Bissett Creek

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Originally Posted by Fox

I have never seen so many grouse in SW Ontario, they were coming out during many of our drives during the controlled hunt in 86A.

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I am in 90 and grew up hunting grouse. But ever since the return of the wild turkey we have nit seen any in the area I hunt.

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Originally Posted by longpointer

I know the Ruffed Grouse Society was asking hunters for reports on sightings or drumming heard during the Spring Turkey hunt. There has been the odd sighting near me here in 90B .

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I hunt 90b and have not seen any in years. Once the turkeys returned the grouse numbers dropped fast. Not sure what the connection is but the numbers dropped fast