More bad news for PA grouse.

[Gary Laudermilch]

Mike, you are just full of cheery news. I've been watching this closely since I submitted blood samples for inclusion in the survey. While the contention that West Nile is a summer killer may be correct, the supposition that grouse are dying mid summer is just a supposition that is currently not backed by good science. However, I have a gut feeling their supposition may be correct.

If this weather ever cools down enough to run dogs it will not take long to see what kind of bird numbers we have this year. We can only hope.

[Harold Pickens]

I have been saying that the decrease in grouse was probably due to a viral disease for over 10 years. The various DNR's and Ruffed Grouse Society have been preaching that it was all about the habitat, and nothing more. I have always argued that it was a disease process. Before I went to optometry school, I had a masters in microbiology/virolgy, and was well into my PhD, so I have the background to voice those kind of opinions. The problem of course is now that we know the problem is viral disease, what the heck can we do about it. We cant go vacinating grouse, but hopefully the survivors can pass on resistance to their offsprings.
I have been very interested in this study.

[terc]

I was wondering about the natural selection process you mention and if the grouse population as a whole will eventually build an immunity towards the virus. I guess time will tell.
Doesn't 35,000 to 40,000 grouse a year taken by hunters seem like a very high number?