Your dog is on point somewhere in front of you. You see him through the trees and you slowly approach him as you ready your gun for whatever bursts up in front of you. How many seconds do you have when that bird goes up before you fire off a shot? A couple? Well before you take that shot in the woods of Vermont while hunting grouse, make sure you’re aware of the endangered grouse species lurking.
Spruce Grouse are an endangered species located in Essex County of Vermont and often live among Ruffed Grouse. Per VT Fish and Wildlife, it is wise to avoid the Conte National Wildlife Refuge, Wenlock Wildlife Management Area , Victory Basin WMA and Victory State Forest where these grouse have been found to live in small pockets. Due to their endangered status, it is very costly to take one of these grouse while hunting so educate yourself on hunting locations as well as the birds you’re hunting.
The Spruce Grouse are primarily native to Canada holding approximately 87% of the population. The next biggest stronghold of this bird is in Alaska with approximately 13% of the population where it is a game bird. Minnesota lists the Spruce Grouse as a game bird while other states containing a coniferous habitat ripe with resources for this species lists it as either threatened or endangered. Vermont is one of these states that lists the bird as endangered and has done so since 1988.
Conservation efforts have seen an uptick in the population in recent years within New Hampshire, while Vermont’s outlook may not be as easy.
New Hampshire has seen an uptick in the population thanks to state conservation efforts. With about 180,000 acres of conservation land in the northern part of the state, the boreal forest has the ability to thrive and also maintain a steady population. Vermont is not as lucky, but mostly due to the population of Spruce Grouse being restricted to one small area of the state. This area in Essex County is already limited by being on the outer verge of the birds desired habitat.
