Date: 1/22/26 9:28 am From: Jared Katz <000003825c43bc1a-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] State Wildlife Action Plan
Hi Brenna,
Thanks for clarifying. I would love to see a Spruce Grouse. I also would have no problem reducing the bag limit of Roughed Grouse though, in my experience, I would be under any limit. I am absolutely in favor of protection and conservation over hunting.
Jared
> On Jan 21, 2026, at 8:14 AM, Brenna <dbgaldenzi...> wrote:
>
> Hi Jared,
> Sage was a typo. Spruce grouse are found in a few pockets in Essex County. Perhaps prohibiting hunting of ruffed there would protect spruce from being mistaken.
>
> Also, it seems that Vermonts bag limit on ruffed exceeds neighboring states but that’s a separate issue.
>
> Brenna
> www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org
>
> Sent from my iPhone, which has been known to mess with me.
>
>> On Jan 21, 2026, at 6:11 AM, Jared Katz <jdkatzvt...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Brenna,
>>
>> You mention Roughed, Spruce and Sage Grouse in your email. Do you mean Roughed and Spruce?
>>
>> I “hunt” Roughed Grouse, which means my dog and I flush them and I shoot approximately 3 per ten years if I’m fortunate. In Richmond, I think there are no Spruce Grouse. I’ve never seen one here or, for that matter, anywhere in VT. They look distinctly different to me, but I can understand how one might confuse them. I didn’t think there were any instances of Sage Grouse this far east.
>>
>> Thanks for your thoughtful message.
>>
>> Kind regards,
>>
>> Jared
>>
>> Sent from my irresistible flat thing.
>>
>>> On Jan 20, 2026, at 21:32, Brenna <dbgaldenzi...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>> As a group of folks who share a passion for birds, it's important for us to
>>> be aware of Vermont Fish & Wildlife's state wildlife action plan.
>>>
>>> Ruffed and spruce grouse are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation
>>> Need (SGCN). Spruce grouse are listed as a high priority and there is no
>>> hunting season on them. Even though ruffed grouse are listed as a medium
>>> priority SGCN, VT F&W still allows a very generous hunting season that
>>> lasts three months and allows hunters to possess eight sage grouse DAILY.
>>>
>>> The problem is that it's next to impossible to differentiate between a
>>> ruffed and a sage grouse in the field. F&W needs to close the season for
>>> ruffed grouse to protect the imperiled spruce grouse.
>>>
>>> Vermont's Spruce Grouse population is very small, state-endangered, and
>>> exists in an isolated area (Nulhegan Basin in Essex County), with estimates
>>> fluctuating from around 100 to 300 birds, facing threats from habitat loss
>>> and fragmentation.
>>>
>>> You can read the Wildlife Action Plan here:
>>> https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/sites/fishandwildlife/files/documents/About%20Us/Budget%20and%20Planning/WAP2025/6.%20SGCN%20Lists%20%26%20Taxa%20Conservation%20Summaries%20(2025%20Draft).pdf >>>
>>> You can share your concerns here:
>>> https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=O5O0IK26PEOcAnDtzHVZxihNRyJb-odNvvBQA0ZXNFlUQVhYVU1ZT08xNkk4QkRZN1FVSUlTUEtSMC4u&route=shorturl >>> I had only been reviewing mammal species since that's my area of
>>> focus/expertise, but when a colleague raised the spruce grouse concern, I
>>> took a look and shared his concern. Maybe you will as well.
>>>
>>> Brenna Galdenzi
>>>
>>> *President*
>>> *Protect Our Wildlife **POW *
>>>
>>> *A Vermont Non Profit Organization*
>>>
>>> *www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org <http://www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org>* >>>
>>>
>>> *Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if
>>> we help shall they be saved.*
>>> ~Jane Goodall
