SETTING UP MANAGEMENT PLANS 633 



though interpreted against a background of past and of contemporary research in all perti- 

 nent wildlife fields, can only point the way. The grouse crop on a managed area is still 

 dependent on a skillful direction of the natural forces of production about which our knowl- 

 edge is fragmentary and over which we can exercise, at best, but imperfect control. 



Why, then, set up formal development plans at all? Why not plant and cut where con- 

 venience and individual notion dictates? For the same reason that foresters have busied 

 themselves designing forest management plans for the past 40 years in America and over 

 200 years in Europe. They provide an orderly outline of present conditions and of what 

 should be done, in the light of our present knowledge, to improve them if the grouse crop 

 is to be increased. They represent a point of departure for our efforts and, if properly car- 

 ried out, a chance to measure progress against the standard of conditions before covert im- 

 provements were inaugurated. They help to focus our attention on objectives and details 

 alike. They provide an orderly sequence and a time schedule, as well, for the activities to 

 be carried out. 



It is with these thoughts and reservations in mind that the setting up of management plans 

 is here briefly considered. The suggestions offered are a long way from being complete. But 

 then, how many have ever seen a perfect forest working plan? 



Basis 



There are a few prime considerations to be kept in mind in building up a grouse man- 

 agement plan. Some have already been mentioned but will bear repeating. 



Common sense dictates that such plans be formulated only where the continuity of own- 

 ership and funds, required for development and maintenance, are reasonably assured. They 

 are primarily of use on large estates, or on land in public ownership which is to be devel- 

 oped for refuges and public hunting grounds. But there is no good reason why the owner 

 of a small piece of grouse cover may not find it productive fun to develop and carry out 

 grouse management plans. 



Other items, too, have to be kept in mind. Any plan must be subject to frequent revision 

 as research uncovers facts applicable thereto. Coverts are subject to unlooked-for mishaps 

 resulting from wind, fire, insects and similar causes which may force changes in design and 

 operation. Nor must we forget that, in the present state of the art, the best laid plans can 

 only be tentative and subject to revision if the desired results are not forthcoming. 



The prime yardstick, of course, is the production of a large harvestable grouse crop. The 

 effort would scarcely be justified unless a sustained yield were also approached. 



Organization of the Plan 



Few reasonably definite and complete game management plans have ever been drawn up 

 either for grouse or for any other species. Yet within the limitations previously expressed, 

 more should be. Toward this end the following suggested organization, patterned in some 

 respects after forest working plans but particularly adapted to meet the requirements of a 

 grouse area, may be helpful. 



Background 



Under this heading may be described such items as location, size, history, ownership, boun- 

 daries and physiographic features such as soil, topography and climate in general for the en- 

 tire area. 



