Ruffed Grouse

Appearance & Identification

Mottled brown/gray with a fan-shaped tail and dark neck ruffs.

Preferred Habitat

Young "stem-dense" forest (5-15 years old) and abandoned farms.

Seasonal Behavior

The "King of Upland Birds." Known for the deep, thumping "drumming" sound produced by males in spring.

Recommended Tactics

Walk the edges where "young" timber meets "mature" timber. Look for wild grapevines and crabapple trees in late October.