r)14 DESICM\'G GROUSE COVERTS ,1X0 SETTING UP MANAGEMENT PLANS 



In studying the combinations illustrated above, it is of course realized that trees and 

 shrubs, unlike lumber, canriot easily be moved about and put in place to quickly translate a 

 desirable pattern into reality. Much can be done, however, to alter the existing arrangement 

 of cover types in any covert for the better over a period of years, if the principles and ends 

 are well understood. 



Another major point, entering into good cover design, is the actual composition of each 

 type that collectively comprise the covert. While this has been described in detail in Chap- 

 ter III, it is well to emphasize here that grouse cover is not static by nature. Thus the makeup 

 of a type is constantly changing. Take, for example, a clear-cut area. An eight vear old 

 slashing may furnish excellent, a two year cutting but fair, summer feeding grounds depend- 

 ing upon whether the growth is open or dense and the food-producing species are abundant or 

 scarce. 



Inherently, however, slashings have the capacity to produce good summer food. Primarily 

 they serve this purpose. Secondarily, they may also afford considerable fall food. As the 

 character of a cut-over area progresses from herbs and berries to predominantly sprout 

 growth, it becomes progressively less attractive to grouse. If growth continues unchecked 

 by cutting, succeeding years will see such a unit change completely in type from a slashing to 

 second-growth forest. Though it still will be frequented to some extent by broods in summer, 

 its main function then will be to ])rovide spring breeding grounds and next, some winter shel- 

 ter if conifers are present. 



Other types, notably overgrown fields, also may change rapidly in composition. Allowance 

 for this should be made in designing and maintaining coverts. 



A final major ])oint. not to be overlooked, is the effect type size and shape may have on 

 covert productivity. The size of a cover type determines the amount of space inside an area 

 while its shape controls the amount of edge enclosing that space as well as the greatest dis- 

 tance at which any point within it is situated from the edge. Thus a square or a circle has 

 less edge than a long, narrow strip or one irregularly shaped. 



Since edges may be an important component of good game cover, it is wise to encourage 

 the longest possible outline while retaining sufficient depth. Just how far one may go in this 

 direction will depend a great deal on the physical condition of the site and the uses to be 

 served. 



While coniferous reforestation may furnish admirable winter shelter, much of it is wasted, 

 so far as grouse are concerned, if it is deep. Only a strip along the periphery approximately 

 200 feet wide is likely to be much used. 



The normal degree of use in most types of cover tends to be inversely proportioncil to the 

 distance from the edge. A small slashing max allract mam birds. As the distance across the 

 cover type incrcas<'s l)e\(ind llic minimum ticcds. utilization ])er unit of area decreases because 

 the liirds have more fnpiii wliicli to choose. They may occasionally travel deeper into cut-over 

 areas or brnshlaiids. at times going half a mile or more from their usual haunts. More than 

 P)0 |nT ccnl of the grouse nests recordc<l have been located within 200 feet of a woods' road, 

 I rail, clear-cut area, overgrown field or other o])ening. 



The ideal situation is to liavc each cover conijxinctil just big enough to satisfy the needs of 

 the birds. Small componi-nls. well shaped, are much more jtrodnctive per acre of area than 

 are larger ones, poorly shaped. 



