Grouse group in Pennsylvania needs volunteers for planting, fencing for wildlife

Kane, Pa. — Want to help wildlife? Members of the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society in Pennsylvania need volunteers for planting and fencing for wildlife for two projects.

First, on Friday, April 3, in Elk County on State Game Land 44, work starts at 9 a.m. and should be completed by 1 p.m.

All volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Game Land 44 parking lot on German Settlement Road and then follow each other to the work site.

German Settlement Road intersects with U.S. Route 219 about 4½ miles south of Ridgway and heads west off of U.S. Route 219. Drive west on German Settlement Road until you reach the parking lot on State Game Land 44.

All volunteers should register with Garrett Baker at bakgar42@yahoo.com so the chapter can arrange for enough tools for volunteers. All volunteers should wear boots and gloves and bring safety glasses.

Also, dress for the weather because this project will take place rain or shine.

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Volunteers will be planting American persimmon, holly winterberry, American plum, Chinkapin oak, Sargent crabapple, black chokeberry, hybrid American chestnut and American elderberry.

This project is part of the Ruffed Grouse Society’s ongoing efforts to improve habitat for ruffed grouse, woodcock, and other wildlife species.

This habitat work will include creating early successional forest critical for young forest wildlife, specifically tree planting and crib fencing. Volunteers need no special skills to help on this project.

Second, on Saturday, April 11, the wildlife project will start at 9 a.m. on State Game Land 62 in McKean County. Volunteers are asked to meet at Game Land 62 parking lot on State Route 59 in Cyclone.

The meeting point can be found approximately three miles east of the Bradford Airport toward Ormsby. Volunteers are asked to register with Garrett Baker at bakgar42@yahoo.com.

This project will involve the planting of gray dogwood, arrow wood viburnum, holly winterberry, American hazelnut, wild grape, and Sargent crabapple.

Work starts at 9 a.m. and should be completed by 1 p.m.

The Ruffed Grouse Society is a national conservation organization dedicated to preserving sporting traditions by creating healthy forests for ruffed grouse, woodcock, and other wildlife.

Through habitat projects, advocacy, and education, the society works to ensure the future of upland bird populations and hunting heritage.