St. Marys, Pa.: “It’s been a busy spring for the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) up here in NC Pa,” said Jed Hamberger, President of the Chapter, “but we finished up our ambitious spring schedule.  Now we take a short break and get ready for our summer event, the four-day Women’s Intro to Wingshooting program.”

The Upland Bird Hunt Chapter started its spring schedule by tackling an ambitious new habitat project of alder regeneration at Tionesta Lake in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers; then moved directly into woodcock singing and drumming grouse surveys in partnership with the PA Game Commission and the US Geological Service.  The first ever Wild Game Dinner Social was held at the Rolfe Beagle Club.  And finally, the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter sponsored its always well-received Future Hunters and Handlers’ Clinic for dog owners at the Rolfe Beagle Club.

The Future Hunters and Handlers’ Clinic is designed for any dog handler or hunter who wants to establish a better rapport with their dog or learn new techniques in dog training.  This program is held every spring by the chapter with experts in the dog training field, dog care, and habitat providing short one-hour seminars for attendees to rotate into.  This spring, the program had 16 attendees – mostly dog owners, but even a few attendees that will be future dog owners.  “We are thinking about rotating this program to another RGS Chapter area such as Erie or State College or Williamsport next spring so we can reach more interested folks,” said Tom McPherson, an instructor for the program. 

Any hunters or dog handlers interested in what the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter of the RGS has to offer in NC Pa should contact Jed Hamberger at jedhamberger@gmail.com.