The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife to thrive. RGS was founded in 1961 by a group of hunters concerned about declining ruffed grouse populations in the eastern United States.
Mission and Goals
The mission of RGS is to promote sustainable forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife through management, conservation and education. Their main goals are:
- Improve ruffed grouse and American woodcock habitat
- Increase public awareness of forest conservation
- Promote hunting ethics and safety
- Ensure sustainable forest management practices
- Recruit and train new hunters and conservationists
Key Programs and Initiatives
RGS pursues its mission through several key programs and initiatives:
Habitat Improvement Projects
RGS organizes hands-on habitat improvement projects on public and private lands. Volunteers thin dense underbrush, create small forest openings, plant trees and shrubs, and construct brush piles to improve cover and food sources for ruffed grouse, woodcock and other wildlife. In 2022, RGS held over 100 habitat projects across the eastern United States.
Advocacy
RGS advocates for state, federal and provincial policies that benefit ruffed grouse, American woodcock and sustainable forestry. They work closely with government agencies, elected officials, conservation partners and industry groups to advance science-based habitat management strategies.
Woods Walks
Woods Walks are educational events hosted on public and private lands focused on wildlife, habitat and forest management. RGS volunteers lead guided tours and demonstrations on topics like tree identification, bird dog handling and foraging for wild edible plants.
Hunting Heritage Partnership
The Hunting Heritage Partnership works to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters through activities like mentor hunts, learn-to-hunt clinics and the Hunting Heritage Super Fund which provides grants to state and local groups for hunter education and shooting sports outreach.
Youth Programs
RGS supports various youth initiatives across their regional chapters including youth hunts, conservation camps, 4H shooting sports and the United States Sportsmen’s Alliance Timberdoodle Youth Camp which introduces kids to ruffed grouse hunting.
Habitat Management Recommendations
To improve habitat for ruffed grouse, woodcock and other forest wildlife, RGS recommends landowners focus on the following strategies:
- Manage forest age and structure to ensure a mix of young, middle age and mature stands
- Use selective thinning and harvests to open overly dense understories
- Leave dead wood, cavity trees and brush piles which provide cover
- Allow natural forest openings to regenerate with berry producing shrubs
- Avoid habitat fragmentation and maintain connected woodland tracts
- Control invasive plants which can outcompete native food sources
Partnerships
RGS partners with government agencies like state wildlife departments, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and National Wild Turkey Federation on habitat projects and management policy. They also work closely with industry partners in the forestry, agriculture and outdoor recreation sectors to advance sustainable land use.
Funding
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, RGS relies on donations from members, corporations, foundations and conservation grants to fund their work. In 2022 they reported $5.3 million in revenue. Membership dues and individual/corporate contributions provide the largest source of income. Major corporate partners include Yamaha, Bad Boy Mowers and Bass Pro Shops.
Membership
RGS has over 18,000 members across more than 425 regional chapters and supporter groups. Membership is open to anyone interested in ruffed grouse conservation. Memberships start at $35 per year and include benefits like:
- Subscription to the RGS magazine
- Access to exclusive hunts and events
- Discounts on merchandise
- Volunteer opportunities
- Local chapter affiliation
Magazine
RGS publishes a bi-monthly magazine titled Ruffed Grouse Society Magazine. The magazine covers ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting, conservation projects, wildlife research, outdoor recipes, chapter news and more. Print and digital subscriptions are available to both members and non-members.
Conservation Impact
Since 1961, RGS and its dedicated volunteers have:
- Improved habitat on over 13 million acres of public and private lands across the ruffed grouse range
- Planted over 3 million trees and shrubs which provide food and cover
- Introduced over 5,000 women, youth and new hunters to the sports of upland bird hunting and shooting
- Spent over $13 million on habitat improvement and conservation education initiatives
RGS’s habitat management efforts benefit over 75 wildlife species including wild turkey, deer, songbirds, pollinators and a diversity of small mammals and reptiles.
Research
RGS helps fund scientific research on ruffed grouse, American woodcock and forest habitat management. They support graduate student projects, work closely with state/federal wildlife agencies on population studies and contribute to databases on harvest trends. Understanding forest ecology and factors impacting grouse/woodcock populations helps inform their habitat initiatives.
Public Outreach
Increasing public awareness of conservation challenges facing ruffed grouse, American woodcock and forest ecosystems is a priority for RGS. They use their magazine, website, social media, outreach events and partnerships to educate the broader public on sustainable forest management. RGS also works to highlight the important role of hunters and anglers in wildlife and habitat conservation.
Policy Positions
RGS policy positions and legislative priorities include:
- Supporting natural resource conservation programs in the Farm Bill like the Conservation Reserve Program which incentivizes reforestation and wetland protection on private lands
- Increasing funding for federal conservation initiatives through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program which benefits state wildlife agencies
- Promoting active forest management practices on public lands to improve wildlife habitat
- Advocating for hunter and landowner friendly policies and access programs
- Opposing unnecessary regulations and land-use restrictions that negatively impact forest management
Connection to Other Conservation Groups
RGS maintains partnerships with several major conservation organizations that also focus on habitat protection, hunter advocacy and wildlife management including:
- National Wild Turkey Federation
- Quail Forever
- Pheasants Forever
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
- National Deer Association
- Ducks Unlimited
- Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
- Boone and Crockett Club
These affiliations allow RGS to collaborate with fellow sportsmen’s groups on policy initiatives, conservation funding and habitat projects that benefit multiple species.
Criticisms and Responses
RGS has faced criticism from some environmental and animal rights groups who oppose game bird hunting and question the need for active forest management. Some of the common criticisms include:
- “Hunting is cruel and harms wildlife populations.” – RGS supports ethical, responsible hunting that follows wildlife laws and regulations. Hunting provides incentives for habitat conservation and proceeds from hunting licenses fund wildlife management programs.
- “Clearcutting forests is bad for ecosystems.” – RGS advocates sustainable selective thinning and harvest techniques to improve habitat diversity, not widespread clearcutting.
- “Public lands should not be logged.” – Well-managed logging on public lands provides wildlife benefits and reduces fuel loads that contribute to severe wildfires.
- “Habitat measures are just excuses to allow more hunting.” – Improving habitats benefits many non-hunted species beyond ruffed grouse and woodcock through biodiversity conservation.
RGS responds to criticisms by highlighting their scientific habitat initiatives tailored to specific ecosystems and alliance with highly credible conservation partners.
Conclusion
For over 60 years, the nonprofit Ruffed Grouse Society has been dedicated to improving forest habitats for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and associated wildlife. With a focus on hands-on conservation projects, hunter outreach programs, scientific research and policy advocacy, RGS works to benefit both game and non-game species while educating the public on sustainable land management. RGS provides an important example of the contributions sportsmen’s groups make to wildlife conservation and forest biodiversity.