Community Conservation

Taking Action: Mid-Missouri Chapter–Ruffed Grouse Society

Groups Featured: Mid-Missouri Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society

Group Mission: Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

Despite decades of research and restocking efforts, grouse populations continued to decline in Missouri. In 2002, the Mid-Missouri Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society recruited a team to find out why. The verdict was habitat loss, and the team became the River Hills Forest Habitat Project. Their goal would be to improve habitat for one of the last, best remnant ruffed grouse populations in the state, which occurred in portions of Callaway, Montgomery and Warren counties. The chapter has been instrumental in developing conservation partnerships, raising more than $100,000 in funding, participating in surveys, sponsoring monitoring projects, serving on oversight committees and in other related capacities. Approximately 7,000 acres of privately owned forest habitat have been restored.

If not for the persistence of the Society, the River Hills Project might never have been envisioned or carried through. For their efforts, they were awarded the 2006 Conservation Partner of the Year Award by the Conservation Department’s Private Land Services Division.

Game for a day of fun?

Meet pros and learn outdoor skills at the Youth Game Fair.

Live animals, a helicopter, television personalities and the opportunity to try archery, fishing and shooting sports—the Land Learning Foundation knows what young people like. Free admission, lunch and attention to safety show they’re hip to parents and mentors, too.

The Youth Game Fair will offer more than 50 displays and activities, including retriever work, duck calling, trapping, archery, fishing, knife making, trap shooting and more. Special features of the day-long event include a visit from the State Patrol helicopter at 10 a.m., entertainment by Ralph Duren, master of wildlife calls, and the chance to meet Bruce Horrell, co-host and co-producer of Wingshooter, Tom Nelson, host and producer of American Archer, and pro-fishermen John Sappington and Rick Lisek Jr.

The fair will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m, at the Land Learning Foundation facility, four miles west of Triplett on Highway Z. Parents and accompanying mentors are welcome.

Please register by calling Marsha Leimkuehler at the Land Learning Foundation, (660) 634-2240, or register online. Registered youth age 17 and under will receive a free Jakes subscription, courtesy of the George Clark Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.