Buffalo, MO: After the very successful restocking of the wild ruffed grouse on some 110,000 acres of highly prepared upland habitat in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), phase 2 begins. The Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF) and MDC staff will assist in actively surveying the release areas to monitor how the grouse are doing. Called drumming counts, specific sites are determined as listening posts with trained biologists and professionals monitoring the routes to check for active vocal calling and or actual sightings of the majestic native bird. All sightings either visual or vocally are then recorded over many days as an indicator and data compiled. Photo right, Chief Biologist marking a survey site.
“The work truly begins after the release to monitor the grouse and evaluate how they are doing” explains Nick Prough, QUWF Chief Wildlife Biologist. “This is where it all happens, on the ground with landowners and stake holders, this is what QUWF does. 90 sites were selected on 2500 acres, 200 sites on MDC public lands totaling 5500 acres, visited, marked by flagging and recorded with GPS coordinates on the sum 8,000 acres of prime, heavily prepared release site habitat. Each monitoring site is 225 yards apart and has very specific requirements of time and listening per site to be recorded” Prough explained. “We do believe the grouse have spread farther than anticipated, which is a good indicator of successful habitat creation” Prough theorized.
The terrain is tough, up and down mountains, through ravine’s and over cut areas with lots of brush and regrowth. Just the flagging and marking of the sites took many days to complete and the tick population made itself known with deer and lone star ticks out in abundance very early.
“We are excited, while hiking the area setting up listening sites and marking them, we flushed birds already, that is a wonderful sign indeed” states Tom Westoff, Grouse Chapter Chairman and himself a trained forester.
The restocking of the ruffed grouse is over a decade long investment of millions of dollars by over 100 QUWF private landowners and the MDC, that make up the 110,000 heavily managed acres. Heavy timber stand improvement was completed over the entire area to prepare not only a good current habitat but one that will be maintained for at least 25 outyears. “We could not be more-proud of these landowners and this super chapter for continuing to commit their dollars and work into maintaining and continuously improving the habitat which dramatically improves all upland game” states Craig Alderman, Founder of QUWF.
About QUWF:
The Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF), is the only Veteran founded and managed national conservation organization in the U.S., and the only multi-specie and clean stream national organization including youth fishing teams, based in Missouri. QUWF “turns-the-dirt™” locally and nationally focusing on private landowners with chapters that manage and control their own funds. To join QUWF, get involved or open a chapter locally for upland wildlife and habitat restoration/ clean streams or the new youth fishing teams, visit our web site at www.quwf.net or email ADMIN@quwf.net. QUWF is a proud Conservation Partner of the Bass Pro Shop Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, a member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and an Endowment Partner with the College of the Ozarks.