Minn. ruffed grouse count down
The state Department of Natural Resources says Minnesota's ruffed grouse spring drumming counts are down from last year.
Mike Larson, DNR research scientist and grouse biologist, says it appears 2009 was probably the peak in the grouse 10-year population cycle.
But Larson says drumming counts this spring were still closer to the high end rather than the low end of the cycle.
Ruffed grouse populations are surveyed by counting the number of male ruffed grouse heard drumming on established routes throughout Minnesota's forested regions.
Minnesota frequently is the nation's top ruffed grouse producer.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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