We radio-tagged and monitored adult female Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) with broods to evaluate effects of habitat management on home-range size and patterns of habitat use. Experimental habitat management consisted of short-rotation clearcutting of 1-ha forest patches to create various-aged forest stands of mixed oak (Quercus spp.) and aspen (Populus tremuloides, P gradidentata) / scrub oak (Q. Ilicifolia, Q. prinoides). Home range size was not significantly different between grouse occupying managed and an adjacent unmanaged forest. Female grouse with broods selected mixed oak/scrub oak habitats and avoided herbaceous areas, recent clearcuts, and pitch pine (Pinus rigida)/scrub oak habitats throughout the study area. On the managed area, grouse selected 10-yr-old clearcut patches in mixed oak and aspen/scrub oak. Sites used by grouse had higher densities of woody stems 2.5-7.5-cm dbh, greater % cover of live vegetation at 0-2 m, and were closer to edges and openings than random sites. Habitat management practices positively affected one microhabitat component, distance to nearest edge, that was selected by female grouse with broods.
School of Forest Resources, The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 USA
GE1LMD L. STORM 2
U.S. G.S., Biological Resources Division
Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 USA
WALTER M. TZILKOWSKI
School of Forest Resources, The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 USA
USO DE HJ, BITAT VERANIEGO EN LA PENNSYLVANIA CENTRAL POR BONASA
UMBELLUS CON CRL
Sinopsis.--Ajustamos radiotransmisores y monitoreamos hembras adultas de Bonasa umbellus
con crias para evaluar los ereeros del manejo del htbitat en tamafio del territorio de uso
com6n yen los patrones de uso del macrohabitat y del microhabitat. E1 manejo experimental
del htbitat consisti6 en rotar pot poco tiempo la limpieza de parchos de 1 hecfftrea de
bosque para crear cotos de bosques de varias edades con Quercus sp., y htbitats mixtos de
Populus tremuloides, P. gradidentata/ Q. ilicifolia, Q. prnoides. E1 tamafio del territorio de uso
com6n no difiri6 significativamente entre las treas manejadas ocupadas pot la especie y un
bosque sin manejo adyacente. Hembras con crias seleccionaron htbitats mixtos de Populus
tremuloides, P. gradidentata/ Q. ilicfolia, Q. prinoides y evitaron treas herbtceas, reci6n cot-
taalas, y htbitats de Pinus rigida/Q. ilicifolia, Q. prinoides atrav6s del trea de estudio. En el
trea manejada, la especie seleccion6 parchos limpiados hace 10 aftos en htbitats mixtos de
Populus tremuloides, P. gradidentata/ Q. ilicifolia, Q. prinoides. Lugares usados pot la especie
tuvieron densidades mayores de tallos lefiosos entre 2.5 y 7.5 cm de dbh, mayor porciento
de covertufa de vegetaci6n viva entre los 0-2 m, y estaban mts cerca de los hordes y alas
aperturas que lugares seleccionados al azar. Las practicas de manejo de htbitat afectaron
positivamente un componente del microhabitat, la distancia al horde mts cercano, el cual
fu6 seleccionado pot hembras con crias de esta especie.
Current address: Foster WheelerEnvironmental Corporation Atlantic Ave., Boston, Massachusetts
02210-2208 USA.
To whom reprint requests should be sent.
Small (1-ha) clearcuts that create diverse forest structure can provide
suitable habitat for Ruffed Grouse during all seasons (Gullion and Svo~
boda 1972). Gullion (1977) reported a density of one breeding pair per
4 ha could be achieved using small clearcuts in aspen forests in upper
Midwestern states. In 1975, the Pennsylvania Game Commission initiated
research at State Game Lands 176 in Centre County, Pennsylvania to eval-
uate the population response of Ruffed Grouse to 1-ha clearcuts in aspen
and mixed-oak stands.
The objective of our study was to evaluate effects of short-rotation clear-
cuts on summer home range and habitat use by female Ruffed Grouse
and their broods. Availability and distribution of suitable brood~rearing
habitat directly affects brood production and survival (Bump et al. 1947,
Stewart 1956, Sharp 1963, Berner and Gysel 1969). Thus, an understand-
ing of the effects of habitat manipulation on habitat use by brood-rearing
females is essential for evaluating the success of habitat management.
STUDY AREA
Our study was centered at the 1120-ha Grouse Habitat Management
Area on State Game Lands 176 (40ø50'N, 77ø53'W), approximately 8 km
west of State College, Pennsylvania (Liscinsky 1980, McDonald et al. 1993,
Storm et al. 1993). The study area consisted of two low ridges (elevations
360-450 m) encompassing a broad valley. The area was primarily forested
within a matrix of small private woodlots and agricultural lands. Two ma-
jor cover-types, aspen/scrub oak on the valley floor and mixed oak on
the higher elevations, were present in the study area (Schmaltz 1978).
The area was divided into a 544-ha treated area and an adjacent 576-
ha untreated area (Storm et al. 1993). Relative proportions and condi-
tions of forest types were similar between areas prior to management.
The treated area was divided into 136, 4-ha blocks (60 aspen/scrub oak,
76 mixed oak). Each block was further divided into four 1-ha patches,
designated A, B, C, or D. In Pennsylvania, rotations of 40 and 80 or more
years are considered typical forest management practices for aspen and
mixed oak, respectively. Because most of the forest on our study area was
approaching maturity, initial rotations were reduced to 20 yr (one patch
cut every 5 yr) for aspen/scrub oak and 40 yr (one patch cut every 10
yr) for mixed oak. The A patch in each of the 136-ha blocks was clearcut
in 1976-1977, B patches in aspen/scrub oak were cut in 1981-1982, and
C patches in aspen/scrub oak and B patches in mixed oak were cut in
1985-1987.
METHODS
We located Ruffed Grouse by systematically searching along transect
lines with and without trained hunting dogs and during routine (unsys-
tematic) periods of checking traps and radio-tracking grouse. Systematic
searches were equally allocated among treated and untreated portions of
the study area. Searches were conducted 27 May-25 Jun. 1986 and 26
May-29 Jun. 1987.
Female grouse were captured using modified shorebird traps (Liscinsky
and Bailey 1955, Gullion 1965) or in a mist net in conjunction with a
taped distress call of a 16-d-old chick (Lyons 1981). Age and sex were
determined at the time of capture (Bump et al. 1947). Adult female
grouse were marked with a numbered leg band and fitted with a 164-
MHZ transmitter package attached with a poncho-style collar (14--19 g)
(Amstrup 1980) or a backpack harness (25-27 g) (Brander 1968).
During 1986 and 1987, radio-tagged grouse were located once per day
from the time of capture until 9 August and five times per week, separated
by at least 1 d, from 10 August-9 September. Each grouse was located
randomly between 0600 and 2000 h. An effort was made to sample all
grouse equally to insure estimates of habitat selection and home range
size would not be unduly influenced by the behavior of any given indi-
viduals. Grouse locations were estimated from direct observations, circling
grouse within a 50-m circle using a hand-held yagi antenna, and trian-
gulation from points of known coordinates. Direct observation by flush-
ing, at least once every 14 d, insured that broods were with radio-tagged
females, but accurate counts of brood size were not possible. Locations
on the treated area were also recorded by patch type. Locations were
assigned a quality code (high, low) based on the method of location and
its estimated accuracy. High-quality locations were those that could con-
fidently be placed within a 0.25-ha area. These included most locations
determined from flushing or observing the grouse and some locations
determined by triangulation. Only high-quality locations were used for
analyses of habitat use and home-range size.
Summer home ranges of grouse with broods were estimated between
the time of capture and 9 Sep. 1986 and 1987. September was considered
the onset of brood break-up and dispersal (Chambers and Sharp 1958,
Godfrey and Marshall 1969). Home ranges were estimated by harmonic
mean 95% contour (Dixon and Chapman 1980) and minimum convex
polygon methods (Mohr 1947) for comparison to previous research.
Home ranges of grouse on the treated and control areas were compared
using one-way analysis of variance.
We examined patterns of habitat selection at three levels: cover-type
composition, patch type relative to rotation, and microhabitat character-
istics (Table 1). Estimates of cover-type selection were based on dominant
overstory vegetation throughout the entire study area, whereas estimates
of patch selection were limited to the treated area.
Eight cover-types were identified based on vegetation and land use (Wil-
liams 1986)(Table 1). A cover map was updated each year using aerial
photography and field reconnaissance to account for ongoing clearcut-
ting activities. Use of cover types and patches were estimated by the num-
ber of grouse locations in each category. Use of cover-types and patches
were compared-to their availability within the study area using Chi-square
goodness-of-fit tests and Bonferroni 95% confidence intervals (Neu et al.
1974). These tests were conducted with pooled data for all grouse. Cover
type selection was estimated throughout the entire study area, rather than
Vol. 69, No. Habitat Use By Grouse [477
< < < <
within treated and untreated areas, because habitat management only
altered forest stand age and structure and did not affect cover type com-
position.
Sixteen vegetative and physiographic variables were measured at sites
used by Ruffed Grouse with broods and at randomly located sites to es-
timate microhabitat selection and to assess changes in microhabitat due
to forest management. Variables were measured at 120 sites used by radio-
tagged grouse (60 each on the treated and untreated areas), and at 60
random sites (30 each on the treated and untreated areas). Used sites
were randomly selected from weekly sets of radio locations from each
grouse, obtained 5 Jun.-7 Aug. 1986 and 1987. A location was only se-
lected if it was of high quality, if there was no known disturbance to the
grouse prior to estimating the location, and if the location was >12 m
from any previously selected site. Random sites were selected by randomly
generating coordinates within the study area. Random sites located on
gravel roads, buildings, standing water, and maintained lawns were re-
jected.
Basal area and density of tree species (-->7.5-cm dbh) were determined
by total stem counts within a 0.04-ha circular plot centered on each site
(James and Shugart 1970). Height and percent overhead cover were also
determined from within the 0.04-ha plot. Density of small woody stems
(2.5-7.5 cm dbh) was estimated using two crossing one-by-20 m belt tran-
sects centered on each site. Percent cover of ground and understory veg-
etation was estimated using the point intercept method at 1-m intervals
along belt transects (Hays et al. 1981). Slope and distance variables were
measured within circular plots or using aerial photographs of the study
area.
Microhabitat data were analyzed with multivariate analysis of variance
using the Statistical Analysis System (Helwig and Council 1985). Variables
were compared between used sites and random sites on the entire study
area, and between random sites on the treated and untreated areas. Sig-
nificant differences between used and random sites throughout the entire
study area suggested microhabitat selection by brood rearing grouse,
whereas differences between random sites on the treated and untreated
areas indicated effects of habitat management practices on microhabitat
composition.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Capture and marhing.--Adult females with broods were sighted 28 times
during 153 person hours of systematic searches and 31 times during un-
systematic searches (effort undetermined). During 1986 and 1987, 78.3
h were expended to locate 16 broods on the treated area (4.9 h/brood),
whereas 74.3 h were expended to locate 12 broods on the untreated area
(6.2 h/brood). Twenty-nine grouse were captured using modified shore-
bird traps (12 females, 3 males; 994 trap nights) and mist nets (14 fe-
males; 34 attempts). Twenty-three adult females with broods were fitted
with radio transmitters, 13 in 1986 and 10 in 1987. Of the radio-equipped
hens, one moved 2400 m from the boundary of the management area
within 7 d of capture; another was found dead 710 m from its capture
location 20 d after capture. The 21 remaining birds stayed within the
study area, and survived at least 30 d from the time of capture. A total of
919 high-quality locations were determined by radio tracking between
time of capture and 9 Sep. 1986 and 1987. An average of 44 locations
(SD -- 12.3) were recorded for each radio-tagged grouse during these
periods.
Home range estimates.--Mean home range of all grouse was 59.4 ha (SD
= 45.8, range = 16.4-181.6) using the 95% harmonic mean method, and
84.4 ha (SD = 67.8, range -- 23.5-279.7) using the minimum convex
polygon method. Eight grouse stayed almost entirely (-->95% of locations)
within the untreated area; six grouse stayed almost entirely within the
treated area. The seven remaining grouse were located within both the
untreated and treated areas. Mean home range of grouse located within
both the untreated and treated areas (k = 89.9 ha, SD = 64.7, range =
32.8-181.6) was twice that of grouse on the untreated area (k = 43.7 ha,
SD = 27.2, range = 23.0-93.4) and treated areas ( -- 44.9 ha, SD =
18.9, range = 16.4-68.2) (F,.18 = 2.74, P = 0.01). Grouse were located
uniformly throughout the treated area, whereas 67% of all grouse loca-
tions on the untreated area were within the northern half of the study
area.
Mean home range of female grouse rearing broods in our study was
larger than reported in previous studies. Godfrey (1975) collected 509
locations from six broods, during the same time of year in Minnesota,
and estimated an average home range size of 12.0 ha. Other estimates of
home range size of broods or female grouse with broods, during different
times of the year, range from 12-16.5 ha (Bump et al. 1947, Archibald
1975, Godfrey 1975, Maxson 1978). The expansive home ranges we ob-
served may have been due, in part, to larger sample sizes (telemetry lo-
cations) relative to other research. Home range estimators in general,
particularly the minimum convex polygon technique, can be strongly in-
fluenced by sample size (Boulanger and White 1990). Larger home rang-
es estimated in this study may also have been due to the fact that broods
were located into September and may have ranged greater distances just
prior to breakup and dispersal. The sizes of areas used by females with
broods on the treated area were similar to those in the untreated area
suggesting suitable habitat components for broods were available and per-
haps distributed similarly on both the treated area and the northern sec-
tion of the untreated area.
Macrohabitat use.--Cover-types were used disproportionately to their
availability (X ' = 106.8, df = 7, P < 0.001). The mixed oak/scrub oak
type was selected, the herbaceous/clearcut and pine/scrub oak types were
avoided, and the scrub oak, aspen, aspen/mixed oak, aspen/scrub oak,
and mixed oak types were used in proportion to their availability (Table
2).
Selection of the mixed oak/scrub oak habitat type was expected be-
TABLE 2. Cover-type use by adult female Ruffed Grouse with broods, State Game Lands 176,
Central Pennsylvania, during May-September 1986-1987.
Number of
Cover-type a % availability locations % use Use vs. avail. b
MO/SO 22.1 309 33.6 +
AS 1.3 16 1.7 =
SO 3.0 17 1.8 =
AS/MO 6.3 43 4.7 =
AS/SO 1.2 16 1.7 --
MO 56.1 485 52.8 =
HB/CC 8.2 28 3.1 -
PI/SO 1.8 5 0.5 -
a See Table 1.
b (_), (+), and (=) indicate habitat type used in less, greater, or equal proportion to
availability (P --< 0.05), respectively.
cause this type had a relatively open overstory and a dense understory
layer, and contained the 10-yr-old forest stands on the treated area (MO-
A patches). Our observations that grouse used habitat types with an aspen
component (AS, AS/MO, AS/SO) in proportion to their availability
agreed with results of Maxson (1978) and Porath and Vohs (1972), that
documented preferential use of oaks or mixed hardwoods in both aspen
and mixed-oak or mixed-hardwood habitats. Other research from the
Midwest suggests preferential use of aspen habitat by Ruffed Grouse
broods (Berner and Gysel 1969, Rusch and Keith 1971, Gullion and Svo-
boda 1972).
Avoidance of the herbaceous/clearcut habitat type was consistent with
findings by Maxson (1978) and Porath and Vohs (1972) who reported
that grouse avoided large openings. Gullion (1970) reported recent clear-
cuts with slash hindered movement of young grouse and provided cover
for predators. The avoidance of pine/scrub oak habitat may have been
related to an increased exposure to avian predators. Grouse survival is
adversely affected by the presence of conifers in some habitats (Gullion
1970, Rusch and Keith 1971), and tall pitch pines in the pine/scrub oak
habitat may have provided concealed perch sites for raptors. Thompson
et al. (1987) detected lower densities of conifers at sites used by broods
in Missouri.
Patch types were used disproportionately to their availability on the
treated area in both 1986 (X' = 267.9, df = 5, P < 0.001) and 1987 (X 2
= 40.2, df = 5, P < 0.001). The mixed oak-A patch type was selected in
1986, and was used in proportion to its availability in 1987. In 1986, all
other patch types were avoided. In 1987, aspen-A patches were selected,
aspen-B, mixed oak-U, and aspen-U patch types were used in proportion
to availability, and mixed oak-B and aspen-C patches were avoided (Table
3).
Selection of 10-yr-old mixed-oak patches (MO-A) and avoidance of all
other untreated mixed-oak patches concurs with reported high use of
TABLE 3. Use of Grouse Habitat Management Area patch types by adult female Ruffed
Grouse with broods, State Game Lands 176, Central Pennsylvania, during May-Septem-
ber 1986-1987.
Number of Use vs.
Year Patch type % available locations % use avail. b
1986 MO-A 14.0 198 49.0 +
AS-A 11.0 14 5.4 -
AS-B 11.0 9 3.4 -
AS-C 4.0 1 0.4 -
MO-U 41.9 79 30.3 -
AS-U 18.1 30 11.5 -
1987 AS-A 11.0 38 90.1 +
MO-A 14.0 37 19.6 =
AS-B 11.0 93 19.1 =
MO-U 39.9 47 94.9 =
AS-U 14.5 35 18.:5 =
MO-B/AS-C 16.6 9 4.8 -
a See Table 1.
b (--), (.q-), and (=) indicate habitat type used in less, greater, or equal proportion to
availability (P-< 0.05), respectively.
young-aged, mixed-oak forest stands by females with broods (Bump et al.
1947, Sharp 1963, Berner and Gysel 1969, Porath and Vohs 1972). Selec-
tion of the 10-yr-old aspen patches in 1987 agrees with previous studies
which have documented preferential use of young aspen (Gullion 1970,
Gullion and Svoboda 1972, Kubisiak 1978). Differential use of 5-yr-old
aspen/scrub oak patches between 1986 and 1987 possibly indicated ef-
fects of patch maturation. Increased use of aspen-B patches (3.4% in 1986
to 12.1% in 1987) corresponded with a decreased use of 10-yr-old patches
(54.4% in 1986 to 39.7% in 1987) suggesting a shift in grouse activity to
younger forest patches.
Microhabitat use.--Significant differences (P< 0.001) were evident be-
tween used sites and random sites throughout the entire study area for
two vegetation variables and two distance variables (Table 4). Density of
woody stems 2.5-7.5-cm dbh and percent cover of live vegetation <2 m
in height were greater at used sites than at random sites. Total density of
woody stems >2.5 cm dbh at sites used by grouse in this study (5 = 21,400
stems/ha) was above the 5000 stems/ha considered the minimum density
suitable for grouse cover, and within the 12,400-29,000 stems/ha consid-
ered optimal brood habitat in aspen forests in Minnesota (Gullion 1970,
1977).
Distance to nearest edge and distance to nearest opening were less at
used sites than at random sites suggesting that forest openings and habitat
edges were important components. Edges of clearcuts, large openings,
and small forest openings are recognized as important components of
brood habitat (Bump et al. 1947, Berner and Gysel 1969, Porath and Vohs
1972, Maxson 1978).
Several differences in microhabitat components were evident between
J. G. Scott et al.
J. Field Ornithol.
Summer 1998
random sites on treated and untreated areas suggesting habitat manage-
ment had affected microhabitat composition (Table 4). Percent organic
litter was greater and and percent logs was less on the untreated area. Of
the four microhabitat components selected by brood-rearing grouse, only
distance to edge was directly affected by habitat management practices.
Distance to edge was less on the treated area suggesting that habitat man-
agement had positively affected brood microhabitat suitability.
CONCLUSIONS
We believe the large home ranges of adult female grouse with broods
observed during this study, on both treated and untreated areas, indicated
a response to patchy distributions of suitable habitats. In the treated area,
this distribution was created and maintained by short-rotation clearcut-
ting. Recent clearcuts (1986-1987) composed 17% of available habitat
but received low use by female grouse with broods. These clearcuts were
interspersed among mature stands of mixed oak, 136 10-yr-old patches
(1-ha) of mixed oak and aspen/scrub oak, and 60 5-yr-old (1-ha) patches
of aspen/scrub oak which resulted in a uniform distribution of suitable
habitat throughout the treated area.
A patchy distribution of suitable habitat within the untreated area re-
sulted from naturally occurring stands of mature aspen, aspen/scrub oak,
and herbaceous areas within a matrix of mature, mixed oak (Williams
1986). Habitat heterogeneity on the untreated area was greater within the
northern half of the study area; the southern half consisted of a more
homogeneous matrix of mature mixed oak with little dispersion of other
forest types.
Selection of 10-yr-old clearcut patches and avoidance of uncut patches
in mixed oak suggested that experimental habitat management created
suitable brood habitat in areas of mixed oak forest which might otherwise
have been unsuitable. This was further supported by the fact that female
grouse with broods were captured and located throughout all portions of
the treated area, whereas grouse within the untreated area were most
often located within the northern section where diversity and intersper-
sion of cover types was greatest.
Female Ruffed Grouse with broods selected areas which had greater
densities of woody stems (2.5-7.5-cm dbh), had greater percent coverage
of live vegetation <2 m, and were closer to edges and openings than
other areas. Experimental habitat management positively affected one mi-
crohabitat component (distance to nearest edge) preferred by brood rear-
ing grouse. High use of edges by adult grouse with broods suggests a
positive response to plant community diversity.
The assumption that increased availability of preferred habitats should
be positively related to grouse density is supported by the fact that more
females with broods were observed within the treated portion of the study
area. Other investigations have documented an increasing trend in den-
sity of breeding males, particularly within the treated area, during the
duration of this study and throughout early 1990s (McDonald et al. 1993;
G. L. Storm, unpubl. data).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank the Pennsylvania Game Commission and W. L. Palmer for financial and logistical
support. J. Hudgins provided valuable assistance in the design and collection of field data.
J. E. McDonald, W. L. Palmer, R. L. Kirkpatrick, and D. Hewitt provided critical reviews of
the manuscript.
LITERATURE CITED
AMSTRUP, S.C. 1980. A radio-collar for game birds. J. Wildl. Manage. 44:214-217.
ACHIBUr, A. L. 1975. Temporal patterns of spring space use by ruffed grouse. J. Wildl.
Manage. 39:472-481.
BERNER, A., AND L. W. GX3EL. 1969. Habitat analysis and management considerations for
ruffed grouse for a multiple use area in Michigan. J. Wildl. Manage. 33:769-778.
BOULANGER, J. G., AND G. C. WHITE. 1990. A comparison of home-range estimators using
monte carlo simulation. J. Wildl. Manage. 54:310-315.
Bp,rm}, R. B. 1968. A radio-package harness for game birds. J. Wildl. Manage. 32:630-632.
BUMP, G., R. W. DARROW, F. C. EDMINSTER, AND W. F. CRISSEY. 1947. The ruffed grouse: life
history, propagation, management. New York State Conserv. Dept., The Holling Press
Inc. Buffalo, New York. 915 pp.
CH^MBEP, S, R. E., ANr W. M. SHP. 1958. Movement and dispersal within a population of
ruffed grouse. J. Wildl. Manage. 22:231-239.
DIXON, K. R., ANr J. A. CH. 1980. Harmonic mean measure of animal activity areas.
Ecology 61:1040-1044.
GODFREY, G. A. 1975. Home range characteristics of ruffed grouse broods in Minnesota. J.
Wildl. Manage. 39:287-298.
, ANr W. H. MmSHUL. 1969. Brood break-up and dispersal of ruffed grouse. J. Wildl.
Manage. 33:609-620.
GULLION, G. W. 1965. Improvements in methods for trapping and marking ruffed grouse. J.
Wildl. Manage. 29:109-116.
ß 1970. Factors influencing ruffed grouse populations. Trans. N. Am. Wildl. Nat. Re-
sour. Conf. 35:93-105.
ß 1977. Forest manipulation for ruffed grouse. Trans. N. Am. Wildl. Nat. Resour. Conf.
42:449-458.
, ANr F. J. svoor^. 1972. The basic habitat resource for ruffed grouse. Proc. Aspen
Symp., U.S. For. Serv. Gem Tech. Rep. NC-1:113-119.
H^, R. L., C. SU.UMEP, S, ^r W. SEITZ. 1981. Estimating wildlife habitat variables. U.S.D.I.
Fish and Wildl. Service. FWS/OBS-81/47. 111 pp.
HELWIG, J. T., AND K. A. COUNCIL, Eds. 1985. SAS user's guide. SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, North
Carolina.
J)MES, F. C., d,'D H. H. SHUG,T, J}. 1970. A quantitative method of habitat description.
Audubon Field Notes 24:727-735.
Kumsiv, J. F. 1978. Brood characteristics and summer habitats of ruffed grouse in central
Wisconsin. Wis. Dept. Nat. Res. Tech. Bull: 108. Madison, Wisconsin.
LISCINSKY, S. 1980. Pennsylvania grouse management update. Penn. Game News 51:44-46.
, ^Nr W. J. BL[3/4, J}. 1955. A modified shorebird trap for capturing woodcock and
grouse. J. Wildl. Manage. 19:405-408.
LYONS, K. L. 1981. Use of a chick distress call to capture ruffed grouse hens. Trans. Northeast
Fish and Wildl. Conf. 38:133-135.
Mxso, S.J. 1978. Spring home range and habitat use by female ruffed grouse. J. Wildl.
Manage. 42:61-71.
MOHR, C. O. 1947. Table of equivalent populations of North American small mammals. Am.
Midl. Nat. 37:223-249.
McDour, J. E., W. L. PME}, ANr G. L. Sromv. 1993. Ruffed grouse population response
to intensivc forest management in central Pennsylvania, USA. Pp. 126-131, in I. D.
Thompson, ed. Proceedings of the International Union of Game Biologists XXI Con-
gress, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
NEU, C. W., C. R. BYEP, S, AND J. M. PEEK. 1974. A technique for analysis of utilization-avail-
ability data. J. Wildl. Manage. 38:541-545.
PORATH, W. R., ^ND P. A. VOHS,JR. 1972. Population ecology of ruffed grouse in Northeastern
Iowa. J. Wildl. Manage. 36:793-802.
RUSCH, D. H., AND L. B. KEITH. 1971. Ruffed grouse-vegetation relationships in Central Al-
berta. J. Wildl. Manage. 35:417-429.
SCHMALTZ, J. E. 1978. Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) abundance and distribution prior to
habitat management in central Pennsylvania. M.Sc. thesis. The Pennsylvania State Univ.,
University Park, Pennsylvania.
SHARP, W. M. 1963. The effects of habitat manipulation and forest succession on ruffed
grouse. J. Wildl. Manage. 27:664-671.
STEWART, R. E. 1956. Ecological study of ruffed grouse broods in Virginia. Auk 73:33-41.
STORM, G. L., W. K. SHOPE, AND W. M. TZILKOWSKI. 1993. Cottontail population response to
forest management using clearcutting and short rotations. Northeast Wildl. 50:92-99.
THOMPSON, E R., D. A. FREILING, AND E. K. FRITZELL. 1987. Drumming, nesting, and brood
habitats of ruffed grouse in an oak-hickory forest. J. Wildl. Manage. 51:568-575.
WILLI^MS, S. A. 1986. The application of a geographic information system for ruffed grouse
habitat analysis. Ph.D. dissertation. The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, Penn-
sylvania.
Received 28 Jul. 1997; accepted 12 Dec. 1997