I'm doing the 50 state thing myself for birds with my dogs. I have seven states left but doubt I will get all 50 as bringing a dog into Hawaii is a pain. I often hunt WI too, the population trends tend to follow MN the following year.
The MN DNR is fairly honest with their bird counts, they do report poor results as well as listing weather conditions during the surveys and how they can affect counts. I browse the grouse reports but don't place a lot of faith on them as it measures only drumming males, not broods. I base my expectations more on the August pheasant roadside counts than the grouse though they are with a grain of salt. I base my trips in part on these counts but I hunt alone most of the time so only a couple of birds are needed for a good day.
