334 The Ruffed Grouse 



wise a sketch map may be made by compass and pace measurement, 

 or by plane-table, according to the facilities and abilities of the 

 individual. 



Upon measuring the amounts of the five basic cover types (see 

 page 63):— predominantly conifers; mixed w^oods; predominantly 

 hardwoods; bmshy areas; and open fields or lanes— the excesses and 

 deficiencies may be gauged. A balance between conifers and hard- 

 wood woods with from thiity to fifty per cent of each element is 

 very desirable. A good distribution of brushy edges and openings 

 covering about ten to twenty per cent of the area is very important. 

 Open land is not so important in quantity but is most valuable when 

 available in great length of edge in proportion to cover area. Some- 

 times cuttings, woods roads, streams, and lakes must substitute for 

 open fields in providing these edges. 



In Fig. 17 we have taken an actual area of woodland and have 

 cover mapped it to evaluate the material with which we must work 

 (A), and have applied the principles of Fig. 16 to indicate the 

 changes in cover type arrangement that may expediently be carried 

 out to improve the area for grouse (B). Our area in this case consists 

 of one hundred and ninety-six acres of cover with eleven thousand 

 feet of open field edge, and continues on the south with more wood- 

 land cover across the property line. It is twenty-nine per cent over- 

 grown land, located in three large fields; fifty-seven per cent even- 

 aged hardwood stands that are deficient in shelter; and fourteen per 

 cent conifers, mostly in one large piece. There is no slashing since 

 the hardwoods were mostly lumbered thirty to fifty years ago, and 

 there are no mixed woods. 



Our plan for adjustment of the cover arrangement and propor- 

 tions requires several changes. The objectives are an increase in the 

 coniferous element, and a better distribution of shelter and brushy 

 cover. The ratio of open edge to area ( feet to acres ) of fifty-six is 

 already good. The quantity of overgrown land is too large to main- 

 tain, hence a portion will be planned for maturing woodland. 



It is not our purpose now to go into the details of the silviculture 

 involved in this particular job, except it may be said that it served 

 both wood production and game. Interplanting of conifers was made 

 in the overgrovm fields. A portion of the interior of the big hardwood 

 stand was spot-lumbered for selected wood products and the open- 

 ings planted to white pine and spruce. Improvement in distribution 



