COVER TYPE USE AS AFFECTED BY WEATHER 



305 



COVER TYPE USE AS AFFECTED BY WEATHER 



In grouse management, certain cover types, under various circumstances, are important. If 

 particular types are necessary for survival under adverse weather conditions, then they should 

 form a part of the management plan. 



This problem was approached by attempting to determine whether use of any type of cover 

 was more particularly associated with one form of weather than another. Analysis of the 

 locations in which grouse were flushed under different conditions, however, for the most part, 

 proved inconclusive. Nevertheless, both adults and broods seemed to frequent the heavier 

 types of cover, conifers in particular, to a greater extent during rainy weather, while the more 

 open types, such as second growth hardwoods and overgrown fields, were used more during dry 

 weather. 



In general, differences accompanying the change of seasons influence the use made of many 

 types of cover to a considerable extent. But the issue is confused by the fact that the character 

 of the cover t) pes themselves changes with the seasons due to the growth and loss of leaves 

 from deciduous trees as well as the production of nuts and other fruits. Probably the most 

 definite relationship with respect to weather occurs during the winter. In the Northeast, areas 

 which lack sufficient coniferous shelter seldom maintain a good grouse population. Other types 

 are necessary to grouse but not particularly from the standpoint of weather*. 



WEATHER AND FLUCTUATIONS IN GROUSE POPULATIONS 



The fact that weather conditions may have an influence on brood and adult survival among 

 the ruffed grouse has been shown in the foregoing portion of this chapter. It has been noted 



— c\i r) ^ irt * 

 ffi a^ o> o> oi c> ^ 



01 O S ID CO (O <o 



r- « ffi p 



O^ Ot <TI O < 



CO a oo 9 I 



YEAR 



5!^ 



A 01 



FIGURE 23. RELATIONSHIP OF THE SUM OF THE DEVIATIONS FROM THE MEAN OF MARCH AND 

 JUNE TEMPERATURES (U. S. WEATHER BUREAU RECORDS) TO THE REPORTED ONSET OF PERIODS 



OF GROUSE SCARCITY IN NEW YORK STATE. 



* See Chapter UI. p. 161. 



