Ruffed Grouse Wing and Tail Survey

New Hampshire Fish and Game conducts an annual grouse wing and tail survey throughout the state. These samples provide us with age and sex composition, distribution data and a juvenile to adult female ratio. Of the 140 useable samples collected in 2023, there were 58 adult grouse (28 females, 30 males), and 82 juvenile birds. The juvenile to adult female ratio was 2.93, these results were higher than the reported 1.26 last year. In 2023, the grouse flush rate was 1.5 per hour hunted.

Hunter participation is key to this effort – we need your help and you could win a gun. All those who turn in completed survey cards and usable samples will be entered into a drawing for a quality shotgun donated by the Ruffed Grouse Society.

Any grouse hunter can participate by picking up grouse samples packets, which include envelopes and survey cards for two grouse samples, from any of the participating locations listed below. Hunters are asked to remove all tissue from the wing and tail samples and to let them dry completely before placing the samples in the envelopes. Please DO NOT place the samples in plastic of any kind; use the envelopes. Hunters should place only one wing and one tail in each envelope with the corresponding completed survey card. Completed packets must be returned to one of these locations.
Please let other ruffed grouse enthusiasts know about the Ruffed Grouse Wing and Tail Survey and help us increase participation this year, and say thanks to the following business owners for their effort, as well.