In this week's episode, we talk about the relationship between Autumn Olive and Ruffed Grouse. The unfortunate reality is that Ruffed Grouse call Autumn Olive home in some situations, making it difficult to manage and remove this non-native invasive species. In this episode, we break it all down and discuss this nuanced topic. But we want to be clear: Autumn Olive should be removed in all situations; it should never be encouraged or planted, and native plant communities ALWAYS offer more value to Ruffed Grouse and all wildlife species than non-native invasives.

• Does Autumn Olive provide value for Ruffed Grouse?
• When Autumn Olive is present, do you manage for the Ruffed Grouse the species or that native habitat and ecosystem as a whole?
• Do Ruffed Grouse use Autumn Olive because it has value, or because it's all that is present?
• What's the best approach to remove Autumn Olive while grouse are present?
• Why native habitat is always better, even when wildlife use invasive species.
• How Autumn Olive disrupts native ecosystems.

Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard

In this week's episode, we announce our first fundraising event: The Give for Grouse Get Together at the Preserve at Crooked Run in Fincastle, Virginia, on October 24th. We share event details, how you can help or contribute, and what we're hoping to accomplish. We also talk about

• Details about the Give for Grouse Get Together
• Shout-out to our friend Wes Hodges for helping us facilitate the day.
• Talk about the sporting clay course at The Preserve at Crooked Run
• Funny deer hunting stories
• Turning this hunting season into a learning experience.
• Cody having two white turkey poults on his property.
• Encouraging everyone to harvest antlerless deer this hunting season.

Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard

In this week's episode, we talk dig deeper into the impact that high deer densities can have on the health of a forest and, consequently, on the Ruffed Grouse by talking with whitetail deer biologist Clint McCoy. Clint provides a professional and biological perspective to how deer impact native habitat and forest health. We discuss:

• Why whitetail deer are a density-dependent species.
• For Ruffed Grouse, we should manage for quantity. For whitetails, we should manage for quality.
• Biologically and ecologically speaking, is EHD actually a good thing?!
• How hunting culture can influence wildlife habitat.
• Does baiting for deer have a positive or negative impact on native habitat/
• How fewer deer results in healthier deer, bigger bucks, and better deer hunting.
• How deer can impact forest regeneration and habitat composition, which directly affects ruffed grouse populations.
• A realistic approach to solving the high deer density problem at a landscape scale.

Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard

In this week's episode, we talk about Ruffed Grouse by talking about whitetail deer and deer hunting. We chat about a topic that is somewhat uncomfortable to many, and that is addressing the issue of high deer densities and their imapcts on Ruffed Grouse populations, but more importantly, the habitats Ruffed Grouse call home.

• How high deer densities impact Ruffed Grouse populations.
• The impact of deer overpopulation on native habitat and forest health.
• Why having a lot of deer on your property isn't something to brag about.
• Being a good steward and doing what's necessary versus what feels comfortable.
• How being a deer manager can be detrimental to healthy forests and ruffed grouse populations.
• Why the clock is ticking for hunters to take responsibility for high deer densities.
• Finding a balance between harvesting a lot of deer and still enjoying the hunt.
• Why it's our responsibility as conservationists to step up to the plate, answer the call, and start harvesting more antlerless deer.

Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard

In this week's episode, we are joined by passionate Ruffed Grouse hunter and enthusiast Riley Wimer. Riley is as passionate about all things ruffed grouse as you'll find, and that passion and energy are contagious and make for an awesome discussion. We discuss:

• How the Ruffed Grouse took Riley from Tree Hugger to conservationist.
• Riley's journey into ruffed grouse and upland bird hunting.
• The famous "Bird Bus"
• Stories from traveling the country hunting all species of grouse and quail.
• Riley's new farm and the timber harvest he did for ruffed grouse.
• Riley's new upland hunting preserve, Feathers Over Fur.
• A realistic perspective on using Autumn Olive for grouse management.

Feathers Over Fur Facebook Riley on Instagram Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard

In this week's episode, we talk about the reasons why we started the Give for Grouse Initiative and why the why of our work is the Ruffed Grouse. We talk about goals such as habitat implementation, research facilitation, advocacy campaigns, and educational messaging. At the end of the day, our goal has always been to pave a better road forward for Ruffed Grouse. We also talk about our newest short film as well as some of our upcoming plans and projects. Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard

In this week's episode, we are joined by Michael McCord, a biologist with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, to talk about Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite quail, invasive species, and forest management in the Volunteer State. Despite being a Tennessee Vol, Michael made for great conversation about managing habitat for quail and grouse, as well as a little hunting chat!

• A realistic discussion about invasive species when managing for Ruffed Grouse.
• What's the best herbicide for Sericea Lespedeza?
• What's the status of Ruffed Grouse in Tennessee?
• Challenges of managing for Ruffed Grouse in Tennessee, which is the edge of the range for grouse.
• Wildlife Conservation and Economic Development
• The importance of keeping the hunting season open for grouse in Tennessee
• Why typical grouse drumming surveys don't always tell the whole story.
• Grouse Population Management Strategies in Tennessee
• The future of Ruffed Grouse and forest management in Tennessee.

Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard

In this week's episode, we are joined by wildlife conservationist, biologist, researcher, and lobbyist Jim Inglis of the North American Grouse Partnership. A man of lofty titles, many talents, and an impressive resume, our conversation with Jim goes back to 30 years of doing research for Ruffed Grouse to politicking for wildlife on Capitol Hill. We discuss:

• Ruffed Grouse research for the Appalachian Cooperative Grouse Research Projects
• Conservation Funding through the Big Beautiful Bill and the new Farm Bill
• NGO Transparency in Conservation Efforts
• Prairie Grouse Conservation
• The parallels between conservation for Prairie Grouse and Ruffed Grouse and how they're both tied to land use.
• The newly proposed Grouse Bill
• Whether our political leaders hear the pleas of concerned conservationists about our natural resources.
• The importance of coalitions between conservation organizations.

North American Grouse Partnership Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard

In this week's episode, we are joined by conservationist, habitat manager, and land and wildlife consultant, Thomas Mlsna. Thomas is the essence of a land and wildlife steward, practices what he preaches, and instills in his audience and clients an approach to land and wildlife management that benefits not just a single species, but an entire ecosystem. In this episode, we discuss:

• Holistic Land Management Consulting
• Sustainable Deer Management Approaches
• The "farming for deer" approach that many landowners adopt.
• Invasive Species and Forest Management
• Wildlife Conservation Challenges
• The "Whitetail Industrial Complex"
• Where most habitat managers and consultants fail.
• Why responsibility and accountability in the hunting industry matters.

Follow Thomas on Instagram Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard

In this week's episode, we chat with whitetail legend Bill Winke about our passion: the Ruffed Grouse. In our conversation, we learned that Bill is just as passionate about Ruffed Grouse as we are, as he grew up hunting more grouse than whitetails in Iowa, and now manages his farm for a healthy ecosystem for all wildlife, ruffed grouse and whitetail deer included, on his new farm in Northeast Iowa. Bill brings a great perspective on land management and stewardship backed by years of experience, and shares his insights on

• The impacts predators like raccoons, opossums, hawks, and owls have on Ruffed Grouse populations.
• Why grouse don't respond immediately to habitat management work.
• The crossover between managing for whitetail deer and managing habitat for Ruffed Grouse.
• The impact high deer densities have on native vegetation and Ruffed Grouse habitat.
• Is habitat the ultimate solution to bring back Ruffed Grouse populations?
• Why grouse management and forest management are the essence of stewardship.
• Why it's important to adopt a stewardship mindset rather than just being a consumer.
• The missing link between managing for deer and managing for a healthy ecosystem.

Follow Bill on Instagram Bill's YouTube Follow Us On Instagram Like Us on Facebook Subscribe to our YouTube Ruffed Grouse Billboard