Shows how adaptable Ruffed Grouse are....Here in Pa aspens were a minor food source and habitat. Their numbers were greatest in emerging quality Deer habitat. Oaks-wasn't rare to find one or two acorns in a crop-, beech, wild grapes, some type of small red berry bush could hold what seemed to be actual coveys, crabapple, dogwood, a variety of bud and leaves, insects and many more. Yet when we would go to Wisconsin it would be mainly aspen. Thick pine tree covers were always a winter hot spot. I've seen when you could put out 20-30 in a 200-300 walk.
North of I 80 they still get some good winters, along with rotational timbering in some areas. Yet they have never came back in numbers even close to the good years.
Last edited by battue; 03/08/24.
