A male grouse needs space and it needs ridges, which it uses as a sounding stage for courtship. Female grouse require brood cover and they all need fall and winter cover after the leaves have fallen. The grouse needs to have access to lower elevation areas to find food and water. In between the nesting spots and feeding and watering areas should be sufficient cover to protect them from predators, mostly from above.

The highest grouse populations presently are seen in the southwestern counties and the mountain counties, where surface coal mining practices from years ago have developed into an expanse of high-stem density hardwoods and shrubs, universally described as desirable grouse habitat. Boone, Logan, McDowell and Mingo counties show some of the highest flush rates in the state, thanks to a land surface makeover. Because of the nature of the practice of strip-mining, the land was laid bare. The emergent growth in subsequent years gave rise to the production of soft mast and cover. The result is a present grouse population where there is promise of a localized trend reversal.

The lowest grouse populations are in the north-central counties and in the Northern Panhandle, according to the Division of Natural Resources. Flushes are, frankly, few and far between. Unfortunately, these populations have been on the decline for a generation in these areas. The habitat in these declining areas must undergo a rejuvenation and regular maintenance to manage the resources. At stake is our time-honored tradition, one that we can hand off to the next generation of wingshooters.

It is suggested that clear-cutting and prescribed burning in proximity to mature stands of oaks will provide a triple bonus. As discussed before, emerging growth stands provide critical cover for birds to hide from predators, and they produce nutritious soft-mast items for grouse to eat.

It will also give white-tailed deer new growth on which to browse, so that they do not monopolize the acorn crop that grouse require for their survival. As whitetails get to their carrying capacity, as they are in some areas of the state, mature forests experience a decimation of almost all woody plants up to the browse line. White-tailed deer will consume every acorn on the forest floor and then all of the plants that the grouse need for cover and nesting areas. The answer for the health of both species is to improve the habitat for their mutual benefit by fostering early-growth stands near the mature oak forests.

As suggested previously, it is critical that hunters become active. Familiarize yourself with the Appalachian Cooperative Grouse Research Project and its findings through scientific study. Become active in the planning process for the development of national forests and wildlife management areas. If you own private land, begin your own grouse habitat improvement program, using the ACGRP suggestions for improving habitat. Volunteer to provide research data that will be used to assist biologists in formulating strategies to help reverse population decline.

The ACGRP gave us the scientific information. What we do with the information will be our legacy as stewards of the resource.