doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Not good-potential early closure of WI bird season

Gentlemen,

WI DNR and the RGS are now doing a scientific test/study and have testing kits available for hunters to gather scientific information to determine whether WNV is actually having any effect on the Grouse population. Remember Turkey are unaffected in the wild by WNV, it maybe that Grouse are also.

RGS is not supporting any season change in WI or any other state without scientific evidence that WNV is actually effecting over all Grouse populations. Unfortunately Pa has altered it's Grouse season, eliminating late season Grouse hunting, on an unproven WNV theory.

In the next few seasons there should be enough testing data collected by RGS and WI DNR to determine whether WNV is actually effecting over all Grouse populations in the wild. At the present time there is no actual evidence either way. No proper WNV scientific study/testing has been accomplished on Ruffed Grouse in the wild at this time.

The Grouse population fluctuation is well with in the accepted natural rate in WI at this time. Further as Larry Brown indicated this WNV problem will cure itself over longevity by natural selection. However in the short term it could be a serious problem if in fact WNV is actually causing Grouse to perish early.

Ryman Gun Dog
L.C. Smith Man