The New Jersey Fish and Game Council unanimously voted to close the ruffed grouse hunting season statewide, effective immediately, citing declining populations due to lack of suitable habitat, as well as predation, weather and disease.
Wisconsin hunters will be out of luck come the sharp-tailed grouse season, as the state won’t offer tags or accept applications for their sharp-tailed grouse permits this year.
Upland bird hunting is in a sad state of affairs in Indiana, where the state's Division of Fish and Wildlife has proposed closing the ruffed grouse hunting season statewide.