Again, habitat improvement projects like this not only benefit game birds such as woodcocks and grouse, but also game animals such as deer. As the report notes, warblers and flycatchers will benefit, as will a host of game and non-game creatures. What is good for grouse and woodcocks is often good for a number of other species.

Contributions to the Canaan Woodcock project may be made with a check payable to the Ruffed Grouse Society. Mail to Dennis LaBare, HC 62 Box 34, Upper Tract, WV 26866.

Also, the Upper Tract resident is working on another project designed to increase the amount of timber cutting in the George Washington and Jefferson national forests.

"We need a wildlife habitat analysis that shows how the forest has aged, habitats lost, species impacted, and other negatives," he said. "I believe these three elements together will make a compelling case for more active management and access on the national forest."

WHERE ARE TODAY'S GROUSE?
As noted earlier, West Virginia grouse hunters need to look for birds within young forests. For example, I spring gobbler hunted on a Greenbrier County farm this past season, once in April and once in May. On the first trip, I flushed several grouse that were foraging in a stand of recently cut pines. On the second visit, I again flushed multiple birds -- one from along a new logging road, the other from where some hardwoods had been harvested.

Most years, I concentrate on turkey hunting and bowhunting in October and November and turn to small game, such as grouse and squirrels, in December and January. Of course, like many hunters, if I flush a grouse while turkey hunting, I will opportunistically pursue grouse. That's one of the reasons I always carry some No. 6 shot while turkey hunting.

The point is that I will return to that farm this December and head directly toward its logging roads and clearcuts in my search of ruffs. Grouse prefer to feed, often doing so almost entirely, on fruits, nuts and buds of various trees during the December through February period. Clearcuts, especially if a few hardwoods have been left within as part of a shelter cut, often have a cornucopia of this type of food.

Another reason to visit young forests at this time is that grouse tend to seek out this thick cover when the harsh weather winter sets in. And the birds will remain in this type of habitat often until sometime in April.

Yet another place to search for fool hens is in evergreen groves. For example, West Virginia hosts a number of pine species, such as white, Virginia and pitch. Spruces and hemlocks are two other conifers that will also entice birds. When the weather becomes inclement and snow starts to accumulate, these game birds will turn to this type of habitat.

Rhododendron and mountain laurel thickets are two other types of habitats that can draw birds. One particularly favorite place of mine to grouse hunt is along a creek tributary in the George Washington and Jefferson national forests. Some of the oldest and largest stands of great rhododendron (the most common species in West Virginia) that I have seen anywhere thrive along that mountain rill.