Grouse of Wisconsin

Ruffed Grouse

Ruffed grouse are one of the most popular upland game birds to hunt. Ruffed grouse are most commonly known for their distinctive ‘drumming’ noise produced by males during the spring breeding season. Male grouse will display on drumming logs, rapidly beating their wings with the intention of attracting a female grouse.

Grouse populations are cyclic and follow an 8-10 year cycle. Exact cause of the cycle is unknown but it is believed to be the result of a number of different factors including food, cover, weather, and predation.

There are two designated ruffed grouse management zones in Wisconsin including a large zone encompassing the majority of north, central, and southwestern portions of the state and a smaller zone including the southeastern portion of the state. Grouse tend to use a variety of habitat types, but young, early successional forest types are most important when trying to find a good grouse hunting location.

Many hunters hunt ruffed grouse and woodcock at the same time. Hunters doing so should be aware that there are federal requirements that must be met to hunt woodcock. To harvest woodcock, in addition to having the appropriate license hunters must also meet HIP registration and requirements and are restricted to hunting with a shotgun limited to holding 3 shells. These federal requirements are not required for ruffed grouse. However, these regulations must be followed if hunting both species at the same time.

2009 Season Dates and Information

• 2009 Ruffed Grouse hunting season dates:
  • Zone A - September 12, 2009 - January 31, 2010
  • Zone B - October 17 - December 8, 2009
• Ruffed Grouse Management Zone Map [PDF 81KB]
• Small Game Hunting Regulations

Surveys

• Ruffed Grouse Drumming Reports
• 2009 Ten Week Brood Observations (Preliminary) [PDF 42KB]

For more information on this topic, send mail to: Assistant Upland Ecologist

Questions for Wildlife Management