582 GROUSE MANAGEMENT 



To encourage a broad understanding of the problem and still present in workable sequence 

 the specific steps by which a grouse crop may be encouraged, the management material has 

 been organized as follows: 



1. A brief account of the experimental grouse management work already undertaken on 

 State game lands. 



2. A resume of the ten factors affecting the abundance of grouse by way of showing which 

 may be utilized and how in producing more grouse. 



.3. A discussion of what mav be done on a broad scale to encourage grouse over the State 

 as a whole (Chapter XIV). 



4. A detailed, step by step, analysis of how to design productive grouse coverts and set 

 up long-range management plans therefor (Qiapter XV). 



5. A discussion of how this may best be carried out by improving and maintaining grouse 

 cover (Chapter XVI). 



6. A consideration of other ways of maintaining the grouse crop (Chapter XVII). 



7. A discussion as to how best to coordinate the work of various Federal, State and local 

 agencies with private enterprise in carrying out grouse management projects (Chapter XVIII). 



Experimental Management Projects 



The bases for the management suggestions have been the present factual study of grouse 

 life history and requirements and the experience and observations of the authors in applying 

 the principles here learned to State game management lands over a ten-year period*. 



As a part of the testing program, the composition and type arrangement of the cover on 

 each management area were surveyed in the field, then placed on large scale maps. The vis- 

 ual presentation facilitated an analysis of cover conditions forming the basis for subsequent 

 improvement projects, as well as for long range management plans. These were drawn up 

 in considerable detail. 



The improvement work fell largely into two categories, establishment of cover and its main- 

 tenance. Under the first, open lands were planted to conifers and hardwood species, so 

 arranged as to produce ultimately a substantial timber crop meanwhile providing excellent 

 food and shelter for grouse. Around many of these, shrub borders, utilizing such species as 

 thornajiples, dogwoods, viburnums, apples and evergreens, were set out in clumps (with due 

 'regard to future hunting possibilities.) In the entire program about 2,000,000 evergreens and 

 tOO.OOO broad-leaved trees and shrubs were set out. 



Overgrown land improvement projects centered mainly about the problem of maintaining 

 the status quo. This was done by employing cutting, poisoning, and infrequently, burning to 

 arrest the normal succession and eliminate undesirable species. Occasionally conifers were 

 planted in such areas to provide needed shelter. 



In wooded areas, the composition and arrangement of cover were altered by judicious 

 thinnings and by selective lumbering of merchantable trees. Where forest cover was exten- 

 sive and unbroken, small areas were clear-cut, in rotation, to provide necessary summer and 

 fall feeding grounds and thereby increase materially the carrying capacity for grouse of 

 such cover. In all, about 160 of these were established. 



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