Wildlife Species: RUFFED GROUSE

The ruffed grouse, a game species in New Hampshire, has suffered from extensive habitat loss over the past 50 years. Ruffed grouse depend on early-successional (or shrubland) habitat, areas with re-growing vegetation such as shrubs and young trees.

Ruffed grouse require four different habitat components in close proximity:
1. Thick, dense young forests for cover and raising young;
2. Mature forests for nesting and feeding on acorns, nuts and tree buds;
3. Sunny openings for foraging on insects with their young; and
4. Large fallen logs, from which males make their mating calls (rapidly beating their wings to produce a dumming sound).

• NH Wildlife Action Plan profile of the ruffed grouse, detailing the current status, threats to the species, research needs, and recommended conservation actions to help ruffed grouse in New Hampshire.
• Shrublands Habitats - learn about habitat stewardship guidelines for ruffed grouse habitat (see also brochure at right)
• The Ruffed Grouse Society website contains several articles about management habitats for ruffed grouse.
• The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources website has information about the natural history of grouse, as well as recommendations for habitat management to benefit ruffed grouse.
• The Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife offers a website detailing the differences between Ruffed Grouse (game bird) and Spruce Grouse (illegal to hunt in NH)
• The Univ. of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension offers a publication on the ecology of ruffed grouse

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