Give for Grouse Podcast

Give for Grouse Initiative
  • 5.0 (38)
  • WILDERNESS

Dedicated to giving the Ruffed Grouse a voice by promoting sound forest management, advocating for healthy forests, and championing all things wildlife conservation!

Episodes

  1. Ep. 08 - A Full Picture View of Ruffed Grouse Hunting in Virginia with Wesley Hodges

    FEB 9

    Ep. 08 - A Full Picture View of Ruffed Grouse Hunting in Virginia with Wesley Hodges

    In this week's episode of the Give for Grouse Podcast, we talk with ruffed grouse guide and outfitter, Wesley Hodges. Wes guides hunters for ruffed grouse in Virginia and, through his adventures and experiences, offers a perspective on ruffed grouse in Virginia that few people, if any, can match. We discuss: Why Wes thinks Ruffed Grouse are doing better in Virginia than most people think. The disconnect between Wes' in field observations of grouse populations versus how a state agency might collect data. How the economic impact and value of hunting a perceived declining species can actually be a positive for ruffed grouse. Why Wes thinks that logging alone won't fix the problem for ruffed grouse in Virginia. How unique Appalachian Ruffed Grouse are, and why we don't always find them in "typical" grouse habitat. His message to those who might look at his commercial guiding for ruffed grouse as negative for the species. Why Wes would like to see species-specific hunting licenses sold in Virginia. How hunting grouse could actually be what helps grouse in Virginia in the long run. Follow Wes on Instagram:   / wesley_hodges_fly_fishing   Follow us on Instagram:   / give_for_grouse   Facebook:   / giveforgrouse   YouTube:    / @giveforgrouse   Donate to our billboard campaign: HabitatVA.org

    1h 57m
  2. Ep. 07 - Ruffed Grouse and Forest Management With Forester and Grouse Hunter, Noah Smith

    FEB 2

    Ep. 07 - Ruffed Grouse and Forest Management With Forester and Grouse Hunter, Noah Smith

    In this week's episode of the Give for Grouse Podcast, we chop it up with forester, grouse hunter, Southerner, and Appalachian American, Noah Smith. Noah is a certified forester and offers a wealth of knowledge about ruffed grouse, grouse management, forestry, and the forest product industry. In this episode, we get Noah's thoughts on:   Where he sees the most birds while grouse hunting in Appalachia. The habitat types and plant communities that consistently support the most ruffed grouse. Managing for oaks and managing for ruffed grouse. Food sources for ruffed grouse in Appalachia His message to the general public and those who may be against logging and forest management. Does the forest product industry have the capacity and ability to support the landscape type of timber harvest that ruffed grouse need? The ebbs and flows of the supply and demand of forest products. His thoughts on the health of the forestry industry, both presently and in the future.   Follow Noah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574835795735   Follow Noah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueridgeforester/   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give_for_grouse/     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiveforGrouse     YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiveforGrouse     Donate to our billboard campaign: HabitatVA.org

    1h 57m
  3. Ep. 06 - Virginia Ruffed Grouse with Forest Game Bird Biologist Mike Dye

    JAN 26

    Ep. 06 - Virginia Ruffed Grouse with Forest Game Bird Biologist Mike Dye

    In this week's episode of the Give for Grouse Podcast, we catch up with Mike Dye, the Forest Game Bird Biologist in Virginia, to discuss how ruffed grouse are doing in the Commonwealth. Mike shares with us the current status of ruffed grouse in Virginia, including population trends, their declining habitat, and the reasons behind their continued decline in numbers. Again, it starts and ends with forest management, or lack thereof, on a landscape. However, Mike gives us a couple of reasons to be optimistic, noting that in the last 2-3 years their indices and population surveys have noticed a slight uptick in ruffed grouse populations. We also discuss some habitat management projects private landowners can do on their properties, as well as the role prescribed fire plays in creating and maintaining ruffed grouse habitat.       Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give_for_grouse/     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiveforGrouse     YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiveforGrouse     Donate to our billboard campaign:   HabitatVA.org   Leave us a Five Star review and we'll send you a free sticker!

    1h 39m
  4. Ep. 05 - Ruffed Grouse in Ohio with Forest Game Bird Biologist Mark Wiley

    JAN 19

    Ep. 05 - Ruffed Grouse in Ohio with Forest Game Bird Biologist Mark Wiley

    In this week's episode of the Give for Grouse Podcast, we sit down with Mark Wiley, the Forest Game Bird Biologist in the state of Ohio. We discuss the current status of ruffed grouse in Ohio, as well as what the future holds for the species. Mark also shares his thoughts on what it will take to reverse the declining populations of ruffed grouse and why landscape-scale forest management and the forest product industry are so important for ruffed grouse. We also discuss the deer hunting culture in Ohio and its positive or negative impacts on ruffed grouse. Finally, Mark offers his advice on the first step we need to take to change the future of grouse in Appalachia - his answer might surprise you!     Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give_for_grouse/     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiveforGrouse     YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiveforGrouse     Donate to our billboard campaign: HabitatVA.org

    1h 41m
  5. Ep. 04 - Private Land Management and Ruffed Grouse

    JAN 5

    Ep. 04 - Private Land Management and Ruffed Grouse

    In this week's episode, we discuss what it takes to manage private property for ruffed grouse in Appalachia. We use Cody's property in Virginia, Rockin' Chair Ridge, as an example to illustrate the challenges, management practices, and successes he and his family have experienced in their land management journey. From communicating goals and objectives to family members, to contacting and implement NRCS plans and contracts, this episode is about unpacking the possibilities, options, and potential obstacles to consider when it comes to private land management and ruffed grouse.   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give_for_grouse/     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiveforGrouse     YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiveforGrouse     Donate to our billboard campaign: HabitatVA.org

    1h 35m
  6. Ep. 03 - Ruffed Grouse Management 101

    12/11/2025

    Ep. 03 - Ruffed Grouse Management 101

    In this week's episode of the Give for Grouse Podcast, we discuss ruffed grouse management 101. Ruffed Grouse are a specialist species that thrive in early succesional habitats and young forests, and we dicuss how to create those environments through logging and other habitat management techniques. From food sources to cover requirements, we talk about the habitat requirements adult ruffed grouse need, as well as nesting hens and brooding habitat for ruffed grouse chicks. We also discuss how managing for ruffed grouse impacts and benefits other wildlife species. Ruffed grouse need intentional management to create the type of habitats they need and if we're to continue to have ruffed grouse on the landscape, it's important that we manage our forests and habitats correctly!    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give_for_grouse/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiveforGrouse   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiveforGrouse   And don't forget to donate to our billboard campaign:   HabitatVA.org

    1h 38m
  7. Ep. 02 - Putting Up a Billboard To Support Logging and Ruffed Grouse

    12/02/2025

    Ep. 02 - Putting Up a Billboard To Support Logging and Ruffed Grouse

    In this week's episode, we share our first project as part of the Give for Grouse Initiative, a fundraising effort to erect a billboard that proudly supports logging, advocates for forest health, and champions the ruffed grouse. Our goal at the Give for Grouse Initiative is to give a voice to the ruffed grouse while supporting the loggers and foresters who create the habitat that ruffed grouse call home, and we want to put up a billboard that does just that. We've partnered with the Appalachian Habitat Association on this project and encourage everyone to help us make this a reality by donating, sharing the message, and spreading the word about this campaign.   To donate and learn more, visit HabitatVA.org   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give_for_grouse/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiveforGrouse YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiveforGrouse

    50 min
  8. Ep. 01 - Introduction to the Give for Grouse Podcast

    11/24/2025

    Ep. 01 - Introduction to the Give for Grouse Podcast

    In this week's show, we introduce to you the Give for Grouse Initiative! We discuss what the Give for Grouse Initiative is all about, what we're hoping to accomplish, and how we want to give ruffed grouse a voice and advocate for healthy forests and forest management.

    47 min
  • 8 Episodes

5
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Dedicated to giving the Ruffed Grouse a voice by promoting sound forest management, advocating for healthy forests, and championing all things wildlife conservation!

Information

  • Creator
    Give for Grouse Initiative
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Give for Grouse Podcast

You Might Also Like