A partial list of predators that dine on ruffed grouse here in New England as well as other areas that grouse call home are; barred owl, great horned owl, several species of hawks (the goshawk being the the most deadly) bobcats, foxes (both red and gray) coyotes, skunks, racoons, weasels, fishers, feral housecats, several species of snakes (primarily eat the eggs) red squirrels (again, the eggs) wild turkeys (eggs again). Some of these predators aren't large enough to be a threat to adult grouse but will prey on the chicks and poults while others focus only on the eggs.
All this is to say nothing of the weather when if too wet at hatching time can cause high rates of mortality in the chick populations by causing pnuemonia.
Thankfully there are usually enough left to allow for some good hunting. If the count is down I will limit myself to one bird per day or not shoot at all.
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Hybrid Mode