596 MANAGING GROUSE AREAS 



OVERALL COVER CONDITIONS, TRENDS AND NEEDS IN NEW YORK STATE 



Considering the State as a whole, grouse cover is made uj) of a vast assortment of indi- 

 vidual coverts. The extent to which these, individually and collectivelv. fall in with the pat- 

 terns heretofore descrihed. largely determines our grouse crop over the years. The improve- 

 ment of individual coverts specifically for grouse is important. But there are also broad 

 influences and activities at work which, though often not recognized as seriouslv affecting 

 the qualit) of the grouse range as a whole, yet exert a substantial influence upon it. Like- 

 wise, there are certain characteristics of the land and the use man makes of it which must be 

 taken into consideration. To better picture these, let us outline the situation and needs in a 

 heavily forested region (the Adirondacks) , a forest and farm area (the Catskills) and a farm 

 and woodlot section (the rest of the State). 



The Adirondack Region* 



Grouse cover in the Adirondack region is characterized by extensive, often unbroken forest 

 areas. Only the larger valleys are farmed. Most of the region lies within the Adirondack 

 Forest Preserve of which 36 per cent (2.1 71. .538 acres) is in State ownership. On this no 

 improvement activities for either forest or game are permissible, for under the constitution 

 of the State it must be kept as "wild forest land forever." This provision effectively pre- 

 vents exploitation of the timber resources. It prohibits not alone lumbering, but also any 

 betterment of the existing cover for timber or wildlife production. As the forest grows and 

 matures, it tends to become more even-aged and less broken up by openings, thus making 

 conditions for grouse relatively unfavorable. 



Interspersed with State-owned lands are private holdings. These are generallv extensive. 

 Many are in the hands of absentee owners. Periodically, most such lands are cut over in 

 large blocks for lumber or pulp. 



As a result, except about the periphery or in the vicinity of farmlands, conditions are 

 generally not particularly favorable for grouse and large concentrations are seldoin to be 

 found. 



Such conditions, quite frankly. |)lacc marked limitations on wiiat nia) be done to improve 

 the grouse crop. Any aclivit) whiih tends to diversify and break up the extensixe forest 

 areas into smaller blocks is. for the birds, a move in the right direction. The application of 

 sound forest improvement and lumbering practices to private lands, and the location of more 

 small wood-using industries within the Adirondacks would niateriallv advance this objective. 



Those interested in grouse in this region would also do well to encourage, wherever pos- 

 sible, farming and pasturing since overgrown lands and attractive woods' edges are largely 

 byproducts of these activities. 



More intciisi\e development, except on a small scale, is scarcely practical unless grouse 

 i)ecome an important subsidiary crop worthy of attention in its own right as a part of the 

 recreational opportunities for which this section of the State is famous. 



The Catskill Region 



In the Catskill region, witli il> tairiis and \alleys. pasliiicd >lopc> and wooilcd uplands, the 

 situation is (piili' difFerenl. Though nnich of the area lies within the Catskill Forest Preserve. 

 State ownership is much less extensive. Moderate pasturing, coupled with a large number 



* A gtrnrrjll ili'si-riplion i>( i-nih ri-pion t» In be found brginninc on p. 111. 



