Ruffed Grouse: Conserving Wisconsin’s Drummer of the Woods
- Wings Over Wisconsin
- May 27
- 3 min read
Once common in Wisconsin’s forests, the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) now faces threats from aging forest landscapes and fragmented habitat. The decline of the grouse, a species reliant on early-stage forests, serves as an indicator of the overall health of forest ecosystems.
Life History & Migration
The Ruffed Grouse is non-migratory and spends its life in a relatively small range. It depends on dense, brushy habitats to escape predators and raise young.
Habitat: Young forests dominated by aspen, birch, and alder
Nesting: Ground nests built near dense cover
Diet: Buds, berries, leaves, insects—changing seasonally
Behavior: Males perform their signature “drumming” display in spring to attract mates
The Importance of Local Habitat Quality
Because Ruffed Grouse are non-migratory, the quality of their immediate environment directly impacts their year-round survival. Key factors—such as food availability, water, shelter, and seasonal climate conditions—are critical to their health and reproductive success. Habitat degradation caused by pollution, deforestation, or development can severely limit access to these resources. Seasonal extremes, like harsh winters or dry summers, further stress populations. As such, preserving and enhancing local habitat is vital to supporting stable grouse populations and is central to effective conservation planning.
Habitat Selection & Use
Ruffed Grouse need:
Forests aged 5–20 years with thick ground cover
Extensive, uninterrupted areas to minimize edge effects
Diverse vegetation for nesting, roosting, and feeding
These habitats are often created by natural disturbances like fire or windthrow—but in today’s managed landscapes, they must be maintained through active forestry.
Habitat Availability in Wisconsin
Much of Wisconsin’s forest land has matured beyond grouse suitability. Declines in timber harvests and changes in land management have resulted in:
Less early-successional habitat
Increased fragmentation by development and agriculture
Reduced habitat quality for broods and adults
Regions with strong management programs—such as state wildlife areas and conservation group partnerships—are showing more positive grouse population trends.
Population Concerns
While still present across much of Wisconsin, Ruffed Grouse numbers have declined:
Long-term population declines tracked in the Breeding Bird Survey
Fluctuations linked to habitat quality and West Nile Virus
Climate change may reduce snow insulation critical for winter roosting
Without continued management, many local populations may no longer be sustainable.
Conservation & Management Strategies
Efforts to support Ruffed Grouse include:
Rotational timber harvests to regenerate young forests
Brush cutting and prescribed burns to simulate natural disturbances
Maintaining habitat mosaics to support different wildlife species
Minimizing human activity in key nesting and brood-rearing areas
These strategies are proven to benefit grouse and many other species, such as American Woodcock and Golden-winged Warblers.
Research Needs
To guide conservation, researchers seek to:
Track how forest changes impact grouse survival
Understand the spread and impact of West Nile Virus
Evaluate habitat improvements across ownership types
Study population dynamics and reproductive success in different regions
Ongoing research helps ensure that conservation decisions are informed and adaptive.
How You Can Help
You don’t have to be a scientist or land manager to make a difference. Here’s how you can help:
Volunteer: Join a Wings Over Wisconsin habitat project
Advocate: Support young forest initiatives in your county
Educate: Share information with fellow outdoor enthusiasts
Join: Become a member of your local Wings Over Wisconsin chapter
Support Ruffed Grouse Conservation: A Message to Donors
Your donation makes direct impact. Contributions to Wings Over Wisconsin help:
Restore young forest habitat
Fund community education and outreach
Support wildlife monitoring and research
Provide tools, seedlings, and materials for habitat projects
Make a tax-deductible gift today: https://www.wingsoverwisconsin.org/ways-to-donate-to-wings-over-wisconsin
Whether you're planting shrubs, removing invasive species, or making a contribution, you are helping protect the future of Wisconsin’s Ruffed Grouse and forest biodiversity.
Learn More
Ways to Donate to Wings Over Wisconsin
What do you think is the most effective way to support ruffed grouse conservation in Wisconsin?
Enhance young forest habitat through logging and prescribed
Support policies to promote forest diversity & regeneration
Advocate for early closure of hunting seasons in key regions
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