Ruffed Grouse Hunting

Northern Wisconsin boasts of the largest ruffed grouse population in the nation, and Price County is located right in the center of Wisconsin’s Northwoods with over 300,000 acres of huntable land available. Park Falls in northern Price County claims to have the most habitat for ruffed grouse anywhere and its claim to fame is as the “Ruffed Grouse Capital of the World.” Ruffed grouse are found throughout the forest with the best populations in areas with a combination of young and old aspen trees. Aspen is one of the most common tree species in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Clumps of evergreen trees interspersed among the aspen provide ideal hiding places for grouse. Miles of mapped hunter walking trails have been developed. The trails are seeded and mowed and are gated to exclude motorized vehicles. Guides are available to assist you in your quest for “feathered dynamite” in the Price County region. For additional information regarding grouse in Wisconsin, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource’s website grouse hunting page.

The WDNR has released the latest Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey. You can view the entire report at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/harvest/reports/finaldrum2.pdf.