Brent, Notice I stated may and could in my questions. I have likely read most studies on the decline of ruffed grouse that have been out in the last ten years or so. I too like real data. The reduction in logging seems to be the most identified reason, OK, I'll buy into that as it is easy to understand and makes perfect sense. The chainsaw is the grouse's friend! I read the above linked article, the UofM one. Nothing there that would indicate a conclusion one way or the other. A lot of info on habitat and diet. That is easy enough to take in and mostly agree with. So why is it a consistent observation that a rising turkey population in ruffed grouse habitat results in a reducing or reduced ruffed grouse population? It would seem that if it's west nile virus the turkeys would be much more susceptible due to their social interactions. For the record I do not think that turkeys intentionally go after grouse, In fact I don't think they "prey" upon anything. I do think that they are opportunists that will eat about anything that they find.
Last edited by ChiefAmungum; 05/30/18 04:41 PM.
