Ruffled Grouse

Ruffed Grouse, not ruffled grouse.

The ruffed grouse is known as the king of gamebirds. It's about the size of a small chicken and has several different presentations (called "morphs") that are reflected in subtle differences in its coloration. In New England, ruffed grouse are sometimes (or often) called partridge (pa'tridge in Maine), although it is technically not a partridge at all. The bird lives in areas where hardwood is predominant and there is a variety of clear cutting and new growth as well as old growth provided that the canopy is not too dense and there is brush plant below (see e.g., "Habitat Suitability Index Models: Ruffed Grouse," U.S. Dept of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, Bio Rpt 82(10.86), April 1985). The ruffed grouse is a galiform, like a chicken or a turkey, and like any galiform, it flies as a last resort, making the the use of a dog, especially a flushing dog such as a spaniel, a necessity.

The Ruffed Grouse Society pubishes a quarterly glossy dedicated not only to the grouse, but to the other galiforms. This is an old-school publication devoted to conserving not only this bird, but the heritage of upland gamebird hunting.

There is always a column on dogs and on habitat conservation and restoration. The Winter 2011 issue describes the merits of clear cutting, new growth succession, and its (positive) effects on bio-diversity. The publication has the mandatory, but very welcome, column on gear & gadgets. The Winter 2011 edition has an interesting article explaining woodcock hunting season in North America.
Not only are there beautiful and understated photographs, but the publication will often feature the pen-and-ink or watercolor efforts of a game artist.

This publication earns its 5-star rating.