ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 4, 1996 TAG: 9611060002
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
WEST VIRGINIA: Broods were reported to be up slightly across the state this year. The soft mast crop, such as grapes and greenbriers, is spotty, which means grouse will be found where the food is located. Beech stands should offer some of the best action.
TENNESSEE: A cold spring with lots of rain may have impacted nesting success. Last year's population was off 20 percent. Only in three counties, Hawkins, Hancock and Anderson, did the flush rate exceed one grouse per hour.
NORTH CAROLINA: Hunter success was down last season. The southern mountain counties are the best bet for flushes this season.
KENTUCKY: The outlook isn't rosy. Drumming surveys in the spring offered the poorest results on record. A wet spring may have had a negative impact on reproduction, but only time will tell.
OHIO: Drumming counts were up nearly 50 percent this spring, but cold, wet weather may have been hard on young birds. Last year's flush rate was 1.10 birds per hour.
PENNSYLVANIA: Flush rates have been climbing. They reached 1.74 birds per hour last season. The south central and southeastern areas of the states are showing the greatest increases.
MARYLAND: Populations are average. The grouse population was reported to be 7,000 to 8,000 in the 1980s. In 1993, it had dropped to 4,200.
NEW YORK: Drumming surveys this year are up, but overall grouse populations are declining because of habitat loss.
MASSACHUSETTS: The once-excellent habitat in this state has become increasingly scarce. Forests are maturing, and with little woodland in early successional stages the density of grouse is relatively low.
VERMONT: State wildlife officials predicted a good to excellent season.
MAINE: There is optimism here. Northern Maine experienced a bumper crop of grouse and excellent grouse hunting last season, and it should be no different this time.
MINNESOTA: Hunters took nearly one-half million grouse here last year. Drumming this year was up 14 to 20 percent.
WISCONSIN: Grouse are rebounding from the lows of the early 1990s.
MICHIGAN: Numbers are low but improving.
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Chart by Robert Lunsford: Ups and downs of Virginia'sby CNBgrouse population. color.