Photo by Tim Lesmeister.

In northern New England, the ruffed grouse has been a most popular upland target, dating back to when the first Europeans arrived. Much of the landscape was forested at that time. But as settlers cleared the land, grouse were drawn to the edge cover in large numbers. As the human population increased, hunting pressure took a toll on the birds during the late 1880s and early 1900s.

Soon all the New England states implemented game laws and bag limits to protect these fabled birds.

Nevertheless, grouse populations continued to decline. During the early to mid-1900s, farmers left the country to find work in the cities. Their abandoned farmlands, once prime upland habitat, turned to forest.

Later, lumbering operations in northern New England produced great cover for grouse. But southern New England, with its smaller land holdings and limited forest cutting, let trees grow to maturity, and grouse numbers dwindled.

State wildlife managers, with the assistance of conservation organizations like the Ruffed Grouse Society, are now working to manage public forestlands with the intent of improving grouse and woodcock habitat.

Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, three states with low grouse populations, have active habitat-restoration programs in place.

According to state wildlife managers, the population of grouse in northern New England is fairly stable. In the southern regions, populations are still low but showing signs of rejuvenation. Aggressive land management and a good spring nesting season mean New England's hunters can expect to find good numbers of these prized game birds this fall in the following 10 public hunting lands:

MASSACHUSETTS
Peru Wildlife Management Area
Grouse hunters have a better-than- average chance of sighting a grouse in this 4,729-acre WMA. Nestled in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, this area provides grouse with a wide variety of habitat. The northern hardwood forest consists of maple, birch, white ash, black cherry and American beech. Maple seeds, beechnuts and other mast provide the birds with ample fall forage. Mixed in the area are stands of spruce, hemlock and white pine for cover.

Remnants of old apple orchards and several small meadows lie in the southern and eastern portions of the WMA. Also, an old beaver pond, now a swamp, lies in the southwest corner of the property. All three features should interest grouse hunters.

Generally, the forest has a gentle gradient requiring moderate exertion. Several fire roads and small brooks cut through the property.

Access comes off Route 9 east of Pittsfield. Follow Route 9 into Windsor Center. Turn south on Peru Road to will find several informal roadside parking areas. Peru Road's name changes to Beauman Road in the town of Peru. Parking is also available on Beauman Road.

Other access points may be found by taking the first right off Beauman Road onto Mongue Road. One parking area is at this turn. Another is at the end of Mongue Road where it joins Route 143.

Birch Hill WMA
Grouse seekers will find almost every conceivable type of hunting habitat in this large tract of land. The property covers a total of 7,431 acres, of which MassWildlife owns about 3,200. The rest is leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The better hunting lands are on the western side of the management area away from the flood-control project. Generally, the property is heavily forested with a mixture of hardwood trees and conifers. The WMA is interspersed with numerous small fields, clearings and brush patches that provide ideal grouse habitat.

This area also contains portions of the Otter and Miller rivers, several small tributary streams and a number of ponds and marshes. Grouse will be found along the river corridors leading into this forest.

Public access is near Exit 19 off Route 2. From the exit, follow Route 202 north past the Lake Dennison Recreation Area. Then, turn left onto either Sibley Road or River Street. In Royalston, River Street changes its name to Winchendon Road. Find roadside parking along both streets.

Birch Hill WMA is stocked with pheasants. Because of heavy pheasant-hunting pressure, grouse tend to shy away from the stocked areas. To access the best grouse hunting, be prepared to walk some distance away from the road.

Because the area is stocked with pheasants, hunters are required to wear at least an orange hat during the bird-hunting season.