586 MANAGING GROUSE AREAS 



Overall cover conditions, trends and needs in a heavily-forested region (the Adirondacks), 

 a forest and farm area (the Catskills) and in a farm and woodlot section (Rest of the 

 State) are described, (p. 596). 



Loiijr-lime maintenance of good cover is, in large measure, dependent on moderate though 

 widespread lumbering, grazing of overgrown lands and stable farming communities. The 

 wide adoption of better forest and soil conservation practices is of definite concern to 

 the sportsman as a practical means to this end. Other suggestions as to how sportsmen 

 and other conservationists may assist are presented, (p. 598). 



Practices detrimental to grouse cover include clean farming, heavy grazing of woodlands, un- 

 controlled burning, and too much or too little lumbering, (p. 599). 



Leadership in planning and in carrying out broad projects of benefit to grouse must come 

 from the State, (p. 601). 



On the State rests the responsibility for deciding on yearly hunting regulations in accordance 

 with the picture provided by an annual census of grouse abundance and conditions, 

 (p. 602). 



To assure future grouse crops, the demand for which is constantly increasing, the State must 

 also vigorously prosecute certain long tenn projects. Included among these are man- 

 agement research, application of the facts thus found, maintenance of hunting oppor- 

 tunities, encouragement of landowners to produce better coverts and the stimulation of 

 an active interest in grouse problems, (p. 602). 



#, 



Broadly speaking, those interested in improving conditions for grouse fall into one of two 

 groups. There are the individuals and organizations who are active in supporting any pro- 

 gram for the betterment of the bird, but seldom have the opportunity for carrying on any 

 actual management work. There is a second group, equally interested but who also own or 

 control grouse coverts and who wish specific guidance in making conditions therein as nearly 

 perfect as possible. This chapter is written with the first group in mind. The others will find 

 it informative as a background for the more specific pattern of cover improvement contained 

 in succeeding chapters. 



Perhaps the general picture may best be presented by anticipating broad questions, the 

 answers to which will help lo better define the path to be trod in bettering conditions for 

 this grand game bird. Why is management necessary? How intensive should it be? What 

 are we aiming at in terms of an ideal covert for grouse and for the hunter? In general, 

 what activities are likely to result in improved coverts and. therefore, should be encouraged? 

 \\ lial practices are likely to be harmful? What part ran the State play in improving condi- 

 tions for grouse? l.el us consider these, briefly, to avoid confusion, but in detail suiricient 

 to stimulate thoughtful consideration. 



WHY MANAGEMENT IS NECESSARY 



•V 



It is axiomatic that the grouse is a product of the en\ ironment in which it lives. Li'ft to he 

 own devices, Nature only here and there produces a combination of conditions sullicieiitly 



