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News Index
An index of archived News follows the article.
News Releases
Under Broken Wings
Ruffed Grouse Society Launches Outreach Program
Contact: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org
Under Broken Wings will aid physically challenged youngsters An outreach program with the potential to add a special new dimension to the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) many endeavors was launched recently in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Christened "Under Broken Wings", the venture gives physically challenged youngsters between the age of 14 and 18 an opportunity to experience the excitement of hunting upland game birds. An ambitious endeavor, the program was created to put disadvantaged
youngsters in hunting situations that often challenge veteran sportsmen and women. Earlier this month, the months of planning became a reality as Under Broken Wings (UBW) founders hosted the program's first young hunter during the RGS' annual National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt. The Hunt has been a fall tradition of the Grand Rapids RGS Chapter for the past 25 years. Accompanied by his parents, Casey Newman of Hibbing, MN, came to the Oct. 11-12 Hunt to experience the shooting and hunting activities that are the National Hunt's trademarks. A 15-year-old student at Nashwauk-Keewatin High School in Nashwauk, MN, Casey brought with him an extraordinary determination to experience what others take for granted. A victim of cerebral palsy, Casey was more than willing to be the programs trailblazer, showing other physically challenged youngsters the feasibility of Under Broken Wings. Progressing from shooting clay birds at the Grand Rapids Gun Club, Casey took his first woodcock during his first day afield. The bird was taken over a point by Brandy, a two-year-old German shorthair pointer owned by Jerry Snetsinger of Cohasset, MN. Snetsinger is UBW's current president. Dr. Joe Chandler of Anchorage, Alaska; James Hyatt of Hartland, WI; and Dennis O'Toole of Grand Rapids, MI, make up the Board of Directors. "We hope this initial Under Broken Wings experiment will serve as an inspiration to other RGS chapters that would like to start a similar program of their own," said Mike Zagata, RGS Executive Director and CEO. "It was proven at Grand Rapids that the program works. Even though not all chapters can make such an extensive commitment, a lot of good can be accomplished with some effort and forethought, and a desire to give physically challenged youngsters the chance to experience shooting and hunting, activities so many of us take for granted." Thanks to some extraordinary circumstances, dedicated support from many individuals and generous contributions from National Hunt participants, the programs initial phase met with incredible success. Casey went from breaking clay birds to downing game birds to becoming a Ruffed Grouse Society Life Sponsor in a few short days. As part of his Life Sponsor package, he received one of the Kimber shotguns being awarded for a limited time to new RGS Life Sponsors. Casey's mother Christa and stepfather Mike Brooks, shared in his excitement. The program is supported through donations specifically earmarked for an Under Broken Wings fund.
Public Review and Input to the DNR's Ruffed Grouse Long-Range Plan
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been developing a ruffed grouse long-range plan for some time now. We are now asking for your input.
The purpose of the plan is to determine management goals and a management objective, assess and outline current issues regarding the ruffed grouse in Minnesota, and then develop conservation actions to help the MNDNR meet the demand of ruffed grouse hunters and observers for the next ten years.
At this stage the plan communicates management goals, establishes a measurable management indicator, identifies a list of preliminary conservation issues, and seeks public input regarding desired conservation issues and actions. Conservation issues are challenges or conflicts that could prevent the accomplishment of the goals and management indicator, while actions are measures taken to resolve or minimize issues in order to achieve the management objective.
In order to help inform and solicit your comments, the plan gives a description of the ruffed grouse and its habitats in Minnesota, and develops assessments and trends of the bird's population, harvest, and habitats. We are especially interested in hearing about your ruffed grouse conservation issues, and possible actions that the MNDNR could take to resolve these issues.
After public review and input, the Department will add to the Long-Range Plan additional pertinent issues, and specific conservation actions that will address all of the identified issues for the next ten years.
View the long range plan on the Minnesota DNR website http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/grouse/10yearplan.html .
