Ruffed grouse counts lower this year after a strong peak last year - Austin Daily Herald

Ruffed grouse counts lower this year after a strong peak last year - Austin Daily Herald

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ latest ruffed grouse counts found Minnesota’s spring 2025 population is lower statewide than last year. Ruffed grouse drums per stop were 1.8 statewide, down from 2.3 drums per stop last year, an expected drop considering spring 2024 was the highest 10-year cycle population peak for ruffed grouse since 1972. The DNR and its partners have conducted spring drumming count surveys for 74 years to monito…