Grouse habitat on Catoosa/ restocking?

[Iglow]

I was driving back across the plateau today and was noticing the timber cuts that were visible from the interstate and got to thinking. I wonder what the outcome would be if the TWRA tried another grouse restocking deal like they did out at NBF St park back in the mid 80's? From what I read from the report they had some birds that lived for about 3 years but that area really hadn't had grouse for many many years, seem I read like back in the 19 teens there was some?
But at Catoosa they did have grouse and recently, like in the last 40 years, there may even still be a few. With the timber cuts and edge habitat they are ( thankfully) doing if there was anybody at the TWRA that had any interest in grouse and small game, I wonder if they could be reestablished there? Maybe get some birds from the game depts. in the north like before, close the season for a few years there and see what happens?

 

[Schap]

I think it sounds like a great idea since Tn bird hunting has been in decline.

 

[TnBob]

I was driving back across the plateau today and was noticing the timber cuts that were visible from the interstate and got to thinking. I wonder what the outcome would be if the TWRA tried another grouse restocking deal like they did out at NBF St park back in the mid 80's? From what I read from the report they had some birds that lived for about 3 years but that area really hadn't had grouse for many many years, seem I read like back in the 19 teens there was some?
But at Catoosa they did have grouse and recently, like in the last 40 years, there may even still be a few. With the timber cuts and edge habitat they are ( thankfully) doing if there was anybody at the TWRA that had any interest in grouse and small game, I wonder if they could be reestablished there? Maybe get some birds from the game depts. in the north like before, close the season for a few years there and see what happens?

I used to hear them drumming almost every time I turkey hunted there. I probably wore out a pair of boots trying to find them in the fall and never flushed the first one. Lol

 

[Iglow]

I think it sounds like a great idea since Tn bird hunting has been in decline.

Yep, the TWRA accomplished near miracles with deer and turkeys, seems they would like to move on to another challenge since the deer/turkey thing has been completed.

 

[Carlos Viagra]

Yep, the TWRA accomplished near miracles with deer and turkeys, seems they would like to move on to another challenge since the deer/turkey thing has been completed.

That was the agency before, things are much different now imo.

 

[younggun308]

I have to hope grouse reintroduction would fare better than quail has. I hope (perhaps against the evidence) that they have exposure to fewer species of avian predators since they do not predominate in open areas and fields.

 

[Iglow]

I have to hope grouse reintroduction would fare better than quail has. I hope (perhaps against the evidence) that they have exposure to fewer species of avian predators since they do not predominate in open areas and fields.

if they will only keep the chainsaws running maybe the habitat that can shelter them from the hawks will be there.

 

[younggun308]

if they will only keep the chainsaws running maybe the habitat that can shelter them from the hawks will be there.

Guess we have to hope in the wildfires more than anything, now.

 

[Savage]

I heard one on Catoosa in 2019.

 

[Carlos Viagra]

Guess we have to hope in the wildfires more than anything, now.

It sounds like you guys may not have been on the area and seen just how many acres have been clear cut and allowed to grow up into thickets, or 'rabbit-tat'

 

[younggun308]

It sounds like you guys may not have been on the area and seen just how many acres have been clear cut and allowed to grow up into thickets, or 'rabbit-tat'

You would guess correctly! More than happy to be wrong. Guess I'm overdue for a long drive in the mountains—I'll admit that 3 kids later, it's been a hot minute.

Guess getting a Brittany this summer should push me to explore, again.

 

[MickThompson]

I'd want a little information about why the other attempts failed first

 

[Iglow]

I'd want a little information about why the other attempts failed first

https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/7501/

 

[Antler Daddy]

I would expand my grouse reading before making a decision. I was recently reading about declining populations in KY as well. They seem to be high maintenance birds.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

There's still a few in South Cherokee. Saw one earlier this week on Starr mtn.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

There's still a few in South Cherokee. Saw one earlier this week on Starr mtn.

I'll also add that every time I see one anymore it's in higher elevation. I haven't seen one low in years. Typically around 2000' and higher. The higher the elevation, the more often I see them.

 

[knightrider]

De list the dang hawks already!!! Theyve killed enough stuff out, its time to thin them out

 

[Planking]

We had them my entire childhood on the mountain 1200 ft elevation. I've eaten many a grouse. They are gone now. Never saw another one after we saw coyotes for the first time ever. It has something to do with predators imo.

 

[Carlos Viagra]

I've lived in Cumberland county for 29 years and I've seen 1 Grouse here locally, in all those years.

 

[Iglow]

I've lived in Cumberland county for 29 years and I've seen 1 Grouse here locally, in all those years.

How long ago?

 

[Carlos Viagra]

How long ago?

It was around 15 years ago, over by the stables on Westchester Drive.

 

[7mm08]

De list the dang hawks already!!! Theyve killed enough stuff out, its time to thin them out

More like remove the rednecks on ATV's with a 20g H&R Topper.

 

[Schap]

Too many predators and not enough habitat. Plus a wildlife agency that seems to have zero interest in doing what the people who found it are interested in.

 

[Iglow]

https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/wp-...Ruffed-Grouse-Conservation-Plan-2025-2034.pdf

 

[readonly]

Isn't westnile virus the main issue with grouse?

 

[Iglow]

Besides poor habitat, like turkeys, they just don't know.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

I remember years ago, in the springtime you could ride around south Cherokee and it wasn't uncommon to run into a biologist parked and listening for drumming taking surveys. Haven't seen that in probably thirty years.

 

[Dean Parisian]

I have owned a farm that sits approximately 2 miles from Catoosa since 2005. I have been on Catoosa about how many hundreds of times since 2005? Never once have I seen a grouse on Catoosa and am an avid birdwatcher. The fisher have dwindled to near zero and plenty of raptors as always. I feel that if the habitat were there, the birds would be flourishing today.

 

[Billboy]

I saw a couple back in the late 80's off of White Oak Flat Rd area. Still see a few here and there at N. Cumberland around old strip pits.

 

[348Winchester]

Used to be an avid grouse hunter when southern Scott County had a fair population. I have not hunted them in twenty years. It's very rare that I see or hear one in deer season.