Great thread. Pretty much all of the things mentioned are a factor. Ruffed Grouse are cyclic. They have up and down years. I have long felt that the abundance of predators (both winged and four-legged) is the main source of low numbers of not just Grouse, but Quail and Ducks. Extreme dry weather certainly has not helped.
For all of the blather we hear about lead ammunition and "saving the eagles" I see far more eagles, hawks, ospreys, and owls than I ever did as a kid growing up. Fox, Raccoons, Possum, Coyotes, etc. are far too in number. It is true that Trapping numbers are way down for many reasons, and kids simply have no interest. They don't even play outside, why would anyone expect them to put in the work involved in running a small trapline?
WNV has played a role. I was told by a Wildlife Biologist here in Virginia that it does not appear to affect Grouse at higher elevations. One place I hunt in Virginia is over 4,000' and I saw good numbers last season. Good, but not great in the ADK.
Additionally, make no mistake, anti-hunting people have wormed their way into positions within the USFWS and State Fish and Game Departments. It seems that the focus is more on climate change and making our Wildlife Management Areas "more welcoming" than managing them for wildlife.
Keep supporting groups like RGS/AWS, Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited. They all do good work. I know sometimes it looks like nothing but expensive trips and high-dollar banquets, but we need them to help preserve our heritage.
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