Report Nr. 2984 Review of the 1983 Grouse and Woodcock Season with Prospects for 1984

The 1983 statewide ruffed grouse harvest data was not completed (computer program problems). Minnesota and Wisconsin harvest surveys for 1983 show a decrease from 1982. Based on hunter cooperator comments and wildlife biologists' field reports, Michigan harvest results were expected to show a decrease in 1983. Cooperators were in general agreement that this was a poor hunting year. Many expressed the view that ruffed grouse were at the bottom of their population swing. In the Upper Peninsula, ruffed grouse flush rates dropped from 1.30 per hour in 1982 to 1. 11 in 1983, equaling 1973 and 1974 rates, which is well below the 25-year average of 1.37. Woodcock flush rates were down slightly in 1982 to 1.42 flushes per hour. This is above the 23-year average of 1.21 flushes per hour. In the northern Lower Peninsula, hunters flushed 1.68 grouse per hour down from 1.97 in 1982--the lowest since 1970 and below the 25-year average of 2.17. Woodcock flush rates were down from 2.22 to 1.62 for 1983, but still above the 23-year average of 1.27. In the southern Lower Peninsula, ruffed grouse flush rates dropped from 2.1 to 1.59 below the 25-year average of 2.19. Woodcock flush rates were also down from .85 to .54. This is below the 23-year average of .64 per hour.