Our 2016 accomplishments prove that RGS and AWS continue to be the Nation s leaders in forest management.

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2 From the President & CEO Our 2016 accomplishments prove that RGS and AWS continue to be the Nation s leaders in forest management. The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society are proud of our accomplishments as shown in this 2016 Annual Report, and we couldn t have progressed without our dedicated sponsors, members, chapters and volunteers. Our members are the backbone of everything we do the bigger voice we have for forest wildlife, the more we can do to preserve our sporting traditions by creating healthy forests for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife. Thank you for all you do! We continue to work with the United States Forest Service and monitor their efforts following our Petition for Rulemaking, the formal legal challenge filed in 2015 to force the Forest Service to maintain the creation of young forests at the forefront of their existing forest plans. We continue to aggressively monitor the Petition and Forest Service response and will keep members apprised of developments as they arise. We created new funding sources through our development program and grant writing to fund habitat and hunter recruitment programs. Our science-based programs continue to be the nationwide leader in advocacy and habitat creation for young forests from the Drummer Fund projects, advocacy through legislation and policy, habitat machine program and the efforts of our local chapters and volunteers. We continue to establish innovative strategies to increase membership, and that was evident with our 2016 new member drive utilizing our digital media channels. In order to maintain our recent membership growth, we are focusing on new hunter and member recruitment through the New Hunter Mentor Program, the Women s Intro to Wingshooting program initiated in 2016 and additional focused new member drives that target certain demographics with the benefits of digital media. Our regional directors continue to enhance member engagement and relationships through our nationwide chapters, banquets and events. We continue to be a top-notch communicator by informing members of our programs and educating the public on critical issues regarding forest management and hunting. The award-winning Ruffed Grouse Society magazine continues to be a voice for the organization to members. The Grouse Camp Tour in the Southern Appalachian Region was a success, and we created additional videos to inspire and educate future RGS and AWS supporters. We consistently communicate the importance of our core tagline, healthy forests ~ abundant wildlife ~ sporting traditions, through the website, magazine, video and print media channels. This Annual Report shows this progress in 2016 from habitat programs, membership, recruitment, development, fundraising and communications. We are gaining essential momentum in all programs, and you can be sure that RGS and AWS will continue to be THE VOICE FOR YOUNG FORESTS in the future. Thank you for everything you do! John B. Eichinger RGS & AWS, President & CEO

3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS TERRY WILSON...Chair DAVID MOORE...Vice Chair GEORGE RICH...Treasurer TRACY T. LARSEN...Secretary JAMES H. OLIVER...Immediate Past Chair JOE BYERS GAYLEN J. BYKER JOE (LEON H.) CHANDLER, M.D. SETH DIZARD JAMES HAYETT D. WAYNE JACOBSON, JR. WILLIAM KRAZINSKI DAVID KURITZKY W. STEPHEN MARITZ SHANE T. MENGEL JULIE SANDSTROM BRIAN SMITH ROY SMITH DIRECTORS EMERITI S. PROSSER MELLON SALLY B. SEARLE HEADQUARTERS STAFF JOHN B. EICHINGER...President/CEO TRACY M. GREENE...Director of Headquarters Operations KIM SWISHER...Manager, Accounting ALISON KELLEY...Banquet Communications & Graphic Design DAVE WILHELM...Shipping & Receiving DIANNE WHETSELL...Senior Coordinator, Membership Services SETH HEASLEY...Digital Marketing NICOLE PARKHURST...Project Services Coordinator BRENDA DONEGAN...Accountant, Payables/Receivables, Property & Equipment MATT SOBERG...Editor & Director of Communications CONSERVATION POLICY DAN R. DESSECKER...Director, All States BIOLOGISTS MEADOW KOUFFELD...MN & Western UP of MI LINDA D. ORDIWAY, PH.D...Mid-Atlantic & Southern Appalachia HEATHER SHAW...MI, OH & IN SCOTT WALTER, PH.D...WI, IA & IL ANDREW P. WEIK...NY, New England, Eastern Canada & LA TED DICK...MN, MN DNR position partially funded by RGS/AWS VALERIE JOHNSON...WI, RGS position supported in partnership with USDA-NRCS and WI DNR DEVELOPMENT BRUCE WOJCIK...Director, All States MEMBER RELATIONS & OUTREACH MARK D. FOUTS...Director, All States REGIONAL DIRECTORS DAVE SWEDE JOHNSON...Lead RD, WI, Western UP of MI, IA & IL DAVE HANSROTH...Central, Southcentral & Southeast PA, MD, NC, SC, VA, TN & KY TERRY LAMB...Eastern UP of MI, Lower Peninsula of MI NICK LARSON...MN, OR, WA, AK & LA LISA M. ROSSI...IN, OH, Western PA, WV & GA TRIPP WAY...Northeast PA & New England For updated staff listings and contact information, go to Photo by Matt Soberg Cover photos by Tim Flanigan (grouse) and Matt Soberg (woodcock) RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 1

4 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY For over 50 years, RGS has been creating healthy forests and preserving sporting traditions The Ruffed Grouse Society of America (RGSA) was formed in Monterey, Virginia in October Membership is set at $10 annually or $100 for Life Membership benefits included getting your name on a membership scroll The Ruffed Grouse Society of America publishes its first publication by the same name Vol. 1 No. 1 in Monterey, Virginia in April The 501(c)(3) non-profit status was granted on September 4, Full-time office opened in Rochester, New York The name was changed to the Ruffed Grouse Society of North America. Gordon Gullion was named head of board research and development committee The Society provided a grant to Gordon Gullion for studies in Minnesota in grouse and habitat The Drummer Newsletter of the Ruffed Grouse Society of North America became the official newsletter David C. Batson, II was hired as new executive director August 1, 1974 and national headquarters moved from Rochester, New York to Kingwood, West Virginia. Mark Dilts named as interim editor of The Drummer Board of directors define goals as: Dedicated to improving the environment for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife. A new executive director, Samuel R. Pursglove, Jr., PhD 2 was hired. The Board changes Society s name to The Ruffed Grouse Society. National headquarters moved to Coraopolis, Pennsylvania The first annual Greater Pittsburgh Area Sportsmen s Banquet is held, and the Society s sportsmen s banquet program starts with five fundraising banquets held in Pittsburgh and Reading, Pennsylvania, Detroit and Traverse City, Michigan and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. The Forest Wildlife Foundation is formed as an adjunct to RGS The Society receives national award, the prestigious American Motors National Group Conservation Award The Society receives award from The International Wildlife Foundation. RGS assists in the formation of Ruffed Grouse Society of Canada. The first National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt, organized by RGS members in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, takes place in the northern Minnesota The Society forms education committee that reviews cooperative education proposals with the help from The Richard King Mellon Foundation $240,000 grant Paul Carson becomes editor of The Drummer newspaper, and the publication moves from Traverse City, Michigan to Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Carson remains as writer, editor and photographer until retirement in The Society receives The Wildlife Society s Group Achievement Award. Five regional directors, the largest number ever for the Society, are at work in the ruffed grouse and woodcock range For the first time, RGS income tops $1 million. RGS creates the Management Area Program (MAP) The Society signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Forest Service. Daniel R. Dessecker joins RGS staff as the Society s first habitat biologist The newspaper The Drummer gives way to a new color magazine Flight Plan is launched to allow the Society to significantly expand major conservation initiatives, MAP and Coverts. Flight Plan fundraising totals $1,600,000. RGS receives the first of three $100,000 contributions from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to support MAP projects There are 285,000 acres of publicly owned forest land enrolled in MAP by year s end. Gordon Gullion, 68, of Cloquet, Minnesota, passes away on September 23, He was elected as an RGS Director Emeritus. The Society extended special recognition to supporters who go to extra lengths to ensure that the Society reaches its goals in the memory of Gullion By the close of the year, MAP involves 206 projects representing more than 335,000 acres Trustees of the Richard King Mellon Foundation approve a five-year $750,000 grant to the Society to increase cooperative partnerships between the Society and public lands forest managers.

5 1994 Flight Plan is at goal with more than $2.5 million A strategic plan, Partners in Conservation, is established on the foundation of a $6 million endowment to support a corps of Society wildlife biologists working throughout the country. Richard King Mellon Foundation pledges up to $3 million as a match for other contributions to the endowment fund Sam Pursglove leaves as RGS executive director, and Robert Patterson, Jr. becomes executive director in Years of intensive grouse studies culminate in a special conference on the Appalachian Cooperative Grouse Research Project, for which RGS provided more than $130,000. Information from the study includes data on nearly 3,000 grouse from eight Appalachian states from 1996 through Michael Zagata becomes executive director and CEO of RGS Restoring Upland Forest s Future (RUFF) capital campaign was launched to raise $5 million. Gary Zimmer and Mark Banker promoted to senior regional biologists. Two large gifts to the RUFF campaign specifically endow Zimmer s position as the Sally B. Searle Regional Biologist in Wisconsin. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in partnership with the Richard King Mellon Foundation purchases 2,300 acres of land in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. After the purchase, timber rights worth several million dollars are conveyed to RGS for 15 years. Proceeds from timber sales were earmarked for the RGS biologist endowment RGS creates the Drummer Fund, which is a new business plan launched to allow chapters to keep money raised at their events. The money raised is allocated to a statewide Drummer Fund for use on future habitat projects. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Ruffed Grouse Coordinator position is created, founded in part by the Ruffed Grouse Society. An innovative partnership with CON- SOL Energy begins with timber sales on 7,000 acres of land in southwestern Pennsylvania, with potential new opportunities to create habitat on additional future lands RGS celebrates 50 years of creating habitat and supporting hunting. A new biologist position is added for the Michigan and Ohio area John B. Eichinger is named as RGS president and CEO. Daniel Dessecker, RGS director of conservation policy, is named by USDA Agricultural Secretary to his 21-member planning rule advisory group, representing commercial or recreational hunting and fishing interests. RGS files an Amicus Curiae brief with the United States Supreme Court, an important milestone in the history of RGS RGS develops strategic communications plan including the new tagline: Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Sporting Traditions. Following RGS Amicus Curia brief, the Supreme Court reversed the 9th Circuit Court decision, one that was potentially harmful to future of forest management. Gary Zimmer, RGS coordinating biologist, was appointed to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. RGS received Richard King Mellon Foundation grant to improve information technology. RGS increases membership by six percent through new member drive RGS creates the American Woodcock Society to expand forest habitat efforts and hunting opportunities to new landscapes across the nation. Dan Dessecker, RGS director of conservation policy, was reappointed to the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule Committee (FACA) to provide guidance to the Secretary of Agriculture and Chief of the U.S. Forest Service.RGS took a lead in the planning process for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina. RGS partnered with the Michigan DNR to create the GEMS program (Grouse Enhanced Management Systems). RGS and AWS participated in the new satellite woodcock migration research performed through the USGS and USFWS RGS filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service due to the consistent failure to provide young forest habitat required by ruffed grouse and American woodcock. Meadow Kouffeld was hired as regional wildlife biologist for the Western Great Lakes region. Existing staff members Mark Fouts and Bruce Wojcik took new RGS positions as director of member relations and outreach and of director of development respectively. Through member donations, RGS supported a data recovery project of Gordon Gullion s records. RGS National Board of Directors ~ Presidents Bruce R. Richardson Keith Davis George E. Ford Albert A. Smith Robert J. Lytle Leigh H. Perkins Roy D. Chapin, Jr Robert James T. Stanton Armour David V. Uihlein William C. Helsley Mark L. Rutledge Alfred S. Warren, Jr Robert W. Brown Joe R. Irwin Edwin H. Gott, Jr Stephen F. Quill D. Wayne Jacobson, Jr Gaylen J. Byker James H. Oliver 2015 Current Terry Wilson RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 3

6 2016 HIGHLIGHTS The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society made significant strides in 2016 toward enhancing habitat and hunting opportunities. RGS RECOGNIZED AS 4-STAR CHARITY The RGS recently earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America s largest independent charity evaluator. The 4-star rating is a result of RGS maintaining sound fiscal management practices and a commitment to accountability and transparency in its efforts to preserve our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and many other forest wildlife species. We are proud to report that your Ruffed Grouse Society received this 4-star Charity Navigator rating for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency, said RGS President and CEO John Eichinger. This achievement is the result of a collective effort by a dedicated board of directors, committed members, passionate volunteers and a talented staff. Since 2002, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics, focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, to its ratings methodology. These Accountability & Transparency metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity s overall rating, reveal which charities 4

7 RGS & AWS held a strategic planning meeting in Spring Pictured, front row from left to right, are David Kuritzky, Eric Ellis, Meadow Kouffeld, John Eichinger, Tracy Greene and Kim Swisher. Back row, from left to right, are Matt Soberg, Moderator John Beck, Stephen Maritz, Mark Fouts, Gaylen Byker, Bill Krazinski, Tripp Way, Nick Larson, David Moore, Dan Dessecker and Bruce Wojcik. RGS & AWS STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING The RGS and AWS staff and board members held a strategic planning meeting in February 2016 near headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to discuss future plans to advance the mission of preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for grouse, woodcock and other wildlife. The organizations are being proactive in preparing for the future of habitat and hunting. RGS and AWS President and CEO John Eichinger discusses this meeting and plans in his President s Message in this magazine issue. The task was to envision RGS and AWS in the future by describing the accomplishments or significant works in progress to achieve 10 years from now. Critical issues were discussed and planned including resistance to scientifically sound habitat management practices, declining hunter participation of the public and revenue generation. Analysis included discussing metrics that gauge success in overcoming these issues. The meeting was held with an overarching focus of what members and the organization expect from each other now and in the future. RGS and AWS are taking action on the results of this strategic planning meeting and have already begun steps to achieve objects in the short-term. We are able to rise to future challenges because we have committed members, passionate volunteers and a talented and dedicated staff. have best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and whether they freely share basic information about their organization with their donors and other stakeholders. RGS TESTIFIES IN CONGRESS RGS testified to the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry about the effect of the United States Forest Service (USFS) wildfire suppression budget on game and nongame wildlife species including ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer and other forest wildlife. RGS addressed the growing challenges posed by wildfires and the associated suppression efforts to wildlife conservation on our nation s federal public lands, nearby state and private lands. The current dedication of approximately 50 percent of the United States Forest Service (USFS) budget to combat these natural disasters is significantly affecting the ability of the Agency to meet wildlife-related and other forest plan objectives and public expectations, said RGS Director of Conservation Policy Dan Dessecker to the Committee. We must work to increase the diversity of forest wildlife habitats on our national forests across the nation. Likewise, fiscally responsible funding protocols to ease the financial burden on the USFS from wildfire suppression costs would enhance the ability of the agency to play its essential role in the conservation of forest wildlife and the protection of our nation s hunting heritage. The wildfire-related demands on the USFS financial and personnel resources are limiting the ability of the Agency to implement the sustainable timber harvests and other forest habitat management practices that are required to ensure that young forest habitats and the wildlife they support remain viable components of our forest landscapes. RGS HOLDS DRIFTLESS FOREST SYMPOSIUM The RGS held the Driftless Young Forest Symposium in La Crosse, Wisconsin on August 16 and 17, 2016 bringing together agency professionals from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa to focus on landscape-scale goals to enhance future young forest habitat in the Driftless Region. The RGS thanks partners who provided additional support and resources for the Symposium including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cabela s Outdoor Fund, National Wild Turkey Federation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The goals for the Driftless Young Forest Symposium were to provide agency professionals with a clear understanding of how recent forest trends have impacted the wildlife community to recognize the various challenges that forest managers 2016 Highlights, continued on page 6 RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 5

8 2016 Highlights, continued from page 5 face in this region and to explore opportunities for a landscape-scale approach to forest management in the future, said RGS Regional Wildlife Biologist Scott Walter. The symposium was intended to engage professionals in an ongoing dialogue so that we can develop tools to address these issues. I was extremely thrilled to see the passion, interest and ideas brought forth by the attendees, and we ll use this excitement as we continue to build a new and meaningful approach to forest management across the Driftless in the years to come. The Driftless Region encompasses southwestern Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois and is unique for its forested landscape, deeply carved valleys and streams resulting from the region escaping historical glaciation. A major challenge for the Driftless area is that the landscape is 90 percent privately owned, and therefore, it is necessary to help private landowners understand that healthy wildlife populations result from healthy forest management. NGWH RESULTS ANNOUNCED The RGS held its 35th annual National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt (NGWH) on October 13 and 14, 2016 in and around Grand Rapids, Minnesota with harvest results, obtained by RGS wildlife biologists, showing increases in ruffed grouse and American woodcock harvest compared to Participating hunters (104) harvested 175 ruffed grouse during the two-day hunt, which is a 17 percent increase over the 2015 harvest of 149 ruffed grouse. Each hunter harvested an average of 0.86 grouse per day in 2016, which is the fourth lowest in NGWH history, compared to 0.73 in 2015, which was the second lowest. These results are not surprising as we climb from the bottom of the ruffed grouse cycle. Based upon calculated results, the index to reproductive Photo by Meadow Kouffeld RGS/AWS PILOTS WOMEN S WINGSHOOTING PROGRAM The RGS and AWS initiated the new Women s Intro to fired a shotgun, and a focused goal of the course is for the Wingshooting program in early 2016, a course coordinated by women to build confidence and skills with firearms. RGS/AWS Regional Wildlife Biologist Meadow Kouffeld and The program operates with volunteer instructors giving designed to introduce women to upland hunting. The WIW classroom and range education and shooting instruction. In pilot year took place in Grand Rapids, Minnesota with plans addition, participants learn a broad range of topics associated to expand the program to other RGS/AWS regions beginning with upland game hunting including the North American in Fifteen students enrolled with ranging shotgun and Model of Wildlife Management, shotgun safety, cleaning and general outdoor experiences. For a fair number of participants, the first day on the trap range was the first time they North use, gun dog breeds, training and use and the game birds of America. 6

9 success for ruffed grouse was 15 percent lower than the long-term average, which means there were fewer young birds in the current population. Participating hunters harvested 384 American woodcock, which is an 8 percent increase over the 2015 harvest of 357 American woodcock. Each hunter harvested an average of 1.9 woodcock per day in 2016 compared to 1.7 in Based upon the calculated results, the index to reproductive success for American woodcock was on par with the long term average. RGS CREATES DIGITAL MEDIA TO INSPIRE NEXT-GEN GROUSE HUNTERS The RGS participated in two digital media campaigns, the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour and Project Upland, during the Fall 2016 hunting season that celebrated the grouse and woodcock hunting experience to inspire the next generation of upland hunters. During the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour, RGS staff visited the November grouse camps of members in West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia and candidly documented and updated the Tour in real-time on social media and the RGS website. Content featured habitat projects, interviews with biologists and dedicated members, grouse and woodcock hunting footage, featured gear/products, and more. For Project Upland, RGS teamed up with Dangerous Cow Publishing to capture the intense passions and emotional traditions of the grouse woods to engage viewers in a wide array of hunting culture. This project, which was filmed in the fall, was a unique bird-hunting initiative that featured powerful short films delivered in the Spring RGS MAGAZINE WINS 2016 APEX AWARD The RGS was privileged to receive a 2016 APEX Award for Publication Excellence for the 2015 Fall Hunting Special Edition of the Ruffed Grouse Society magazine. The award, given in the print magazines and journals category, marks the sixth consecutive year RGS has received an APEX award. Effectively communicating our mission is of utmost importance for the Ruffed Grouse Society, and we work to produce quality digital and print communications that voice our mission and engage our members, said RGS President and CEO John Eichinger. Over 1,600 participants entered the 2016 APEX Award in all categories from magazines, print media, electronic media, websites and more with the Ruffed Grouse Society magazine being in the top 15 percent of all magazine applicants. RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 7

10 HEALTHY FORESTS 8 Photos by Matt Soberg

11 THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY AND AMERICAN WOODCOCK SOCIETY BIOLOGISTS WORK WITH LANDOWNERS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO CREATE HEALTHY FORESTS FOR RUFFED GROUSE, AMERICAN WOODCOCK AND OTHER FOREST WILDLIFE UTILIZING SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT PRACTICES $4,662,674 Total habitat project funding for 2016 through all sources $213,538 Dedicated for habitat projects from regional Drummer Funds 57 Drummer Fund projects for grouse/woodcock habitat >59,414 Habitat acres enhanced by RGS and AWS programs Photos by Matt Soberg Historical Total $4,580,181 Dedicated Drummer Funds for grouse/woodcock habitat projects 806 Overall grouse/woodcock Drummer Fund projects 588,414 Habitat acres enhanced directly by RGS and AWS programs Healthy Forests, continued on page 10 RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 9

12 Healthy Forests, continued from page 9 REGIONAL HABITAT HIGHLIGHTS EASTERN GREAT LAKES Regional Wildlife Biologist Heather Shaw Regional Wildlife Biologist Meadow Kouffeld MID-ATLANTIC AND SOUTHERN APPALACHIA Regional Wildlife Biologist Dr. Linda Ordiway $101,730 Dedicated habitat funds from all sources 16 Drummer Fund Projects 2,540 Habitat acres enhanced by RGS and AWS programs RGS/AWS financial support in Michigan was substantially augmented through an MI DNR Wildlife Habitat Program grant used primarily to work with the Huron Manistee National Forest Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District to implement young forest habitat projects. Inventories identified 74 acres of non-commercial aspen cuttings which were completed. The inventory data also identified additional aspen acreage to be treated in future years. The MI DNR recently initiated the GEMS program (Grouse Enhanced Management Site) where public lands are managed to emphasize important young forest habitats and provide enhanced hunting opportunities for sportsmen and women. RGS/AWS has been a leading partner in these efforts. RGS/AWS worked with the MI DNR on various GEMS projects in the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. The South Marquette or Bill Rollo Memorial GEMS (near Gwinn in Marquette County) provides one example of the type of habitat work conducted on these sites. RGS/AWS continues to reach out to our elected officials, natural resource professionals and the general public to help clarify the critically important role of forest management in forest wildlife conservation. In Michigan, RGS/AWS has been working with legislators to help them understand legislation that would dramatically increase motor vehicle access to virtually all state forest lands, including GEMS. RGS/AWS has always supported a balance between walk-in and vehicle access so that the broad range of user groups can enjoy our public lands. In Indiana, RGS/AWS provided wildlife and forestry professionals with detailed information on why we manage our public forests and the negative effects of not doing so. We were invited to present before a joint meeting of the state chapters of The Wildlife Society and the Society of American Foresters. We provided compelling data on the virtual extirpation of ruffed grouse in Indiana, and similar declines of many songbirds that like grouse, require young forest habitats. In Ohio, RGS/AWS took advantage of the opportunity to appear before an annual Amish Birding Symposium. As in Indiana, we discussed the ongoing loss of young forest habitats in Ohio and the wildlife that call these habitats home with a standing-room only crowd of over 300 attendees. $166,754 Dedicated habitat funds from all sources 6 Drummer Fund Projects 7,076 Habitat acres enhanced by RGS and AWS programs The partnership in West Virginia revolving around the CAT habitat machine and including Monongahela National Forest, WV DNR and WV DOF continues to grow and gain regional support and recognition. RGS/AWS has been more engaged in providing educational opportunities to students within the region. These include two elementary classes, one middle school cooperative workshop and two classes, six high school classes and five college lectures/labs. Continue to be a member of the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Management Board focusing on bird populations and the creation of quality habitat through partnerships. Engaging members to continue to be active in the development of quality habitat projects within our national forests and supporting their participation on collaborative efforts and forums surrounding management - Chattahoochee, Nantahala and Pisgah, George Washington and Jefferson, and the Allegheny. MINNESOTA Regional Wildlife Biologist Meadow Kouffeld MN DNR Forest Game Bird Coordinator Ted Dick (MN DNR position partially funded by RGS) $4,141,400 Dedicated habitat funds from all sources (including acquisitions and $60,183 of designated RGS funds) 10 Drummer Fund Projects 45,384 Habitat acres enhanced by RGS and AWS programs 2016 was a historic year for RGS in MN: over 3.87 million dollars in funds secured for two major initiatives and many other projects to improve grouse hunting and habitat. This year marks the first time that RGS and partners received Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Funds for major acquisitions in two Minnesota Counties: Cass and Hubbard. Working with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and the Conservation Fund, RGS will purchase timber company divestitures and donate them to willing county land departments. As a result RGS and partners will ensure that these large tracts remain intact and in timber production. In addition, these lands become permanently accessible by the public. As a result, these 10

13 projects provide thousands of acres of habitat and hunting opportunities. The Cass/Hubbard grant was awarded in June 2016 ($3.6 million). The second major award in 2016 was a $230, Conservation Partner Legacy (CPL) grant for habitat enhancement work (beginning in 2017). This award will fund a number of upland habitat projects and more than doubles our previous best CPL award of $115,000 (2010). Work sites will be spread across Minnesota s grouse and woodcock range including; Rochester in the Southeast, Carlos Avery WMA in the Twin Cities, the Superior National Forest in the Northeast, and Roseau WMA in the far Northwest. In 2016, Minnesota Drummer Funds went to work on a wide range of habitat management and infrastructure improvement projects. A portion of Drummer Funds directly paid for the development and maintenance of hunter walking trails on county, state, and federal ownership. Major hunting access projects have been completed or are in progress in Roseau County, Pine County, Aitkin County and on the Chippewa National Forest. In addition, Drummer Funds were used as match dollars in expending and applying for CPL grants. By using CPL grants we reduce the amount of Drummer Funds spent per acre of habitat enhancement, greatly increasing RGS impacts on the landscape. Finally, the Society used drummer funds to support private woodland owner education workshops and to support forest wildlife activities at the state and national level. NEW ENGLAND Regional Wildlife Biologist Andrew Weik $161,500 Dedicated habitat funds from all sources 7 Drummer Fund Projects 1,960 Habitat acres enhanced by RGS and AWS programs Provided forest habitat management consultation on over 28,000 acres of timberland to private, land trust and university managers across New York and New England. Provided forest habitat management consultation on over 5,000 acres of timberland to town, county, state and federal managers across New York, New England and Louisiana. Planned or implemented Drummer Fund habitat improvement treatments on over 500 acres of state, federal, and land trust forest in New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and Louisiana. Worked with North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) Yankee Chapter in southern Maine and NAVHDA Sebasticook Chapter & 4-H Shooting Sports in western Maine to present youth mentored hunting programs. Presented forest landowner/manager workshops in New Hampshire and New York. Presented grouse and woodcock hunting workshop with New Hampshire Fish & Game. Signed memorandum of understanding with Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to facilitate grouse and woodcock habitat management and hunter outreach projects in Massachusetts. Represented RGS/AWS at meetings with New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, Northeast Association of State Foresters, Northeast Upland Game Bird Technical Committee, International Woodcock Symposium Organizing Team, Northeast Young Forest Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Multi-state Grouse and Woodcock Biologists and Managers, NY Fish and Wildlife Management Board, NY NRCS Forestry Subcommittee, Great Thicket NWR Planning Team and Woodcock Task Force. Worked with Dangerous Cow Publishing to produce Project Upland/ RGS/AWS video Disturbed Forest. Interviewed about woodcock migration by Dan Small for Outdoors Radio with Dan Small in Wisconsin. WESTERN GREAT LAKES Regional Wildlife Biologist Dr. Scott Walter $91,290 Dedicated habitat funds from all sources 18 Drummer Fund Projects 2,454 Habitat acres enhanced by RGS and AWS programs Developed a partnership agreement with the Natural Resource Conservation Service and Wisconsin DNR to staff a full-time forest wildlife specialist position, dedicated to young forest habitat development in northwestern Wisconsin. Coordinated the Driftless Young Forest Symposium, drawing together 80 foresters and biologists from 16 agencies to develop strategies to enhance young forest habitat across the Driftless Region of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. Collaborated with conservation partners via membership on the NRCS State Technical Committee, to enhance delivery of Federal Farm Bill conservation programs. Provided leadership and assistance to the Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership, a collaborative effort to enhance young forest habitats across northern Wisconsin. Continued to provide outreach in support of healthy forest management activities, including 13 presentations to an estimated total audience of over 1200 people. Coordinated the development of nine videos that showcase the value of young forest habitats, which will be used to promote active forest management to forest owners in Wisconsin. Provided input and comments on five large forest management projects on state and federal lands in Wisconsin. Worked with USFS staff in Illinois to identify means of partnering to promote active forest management on the Shawnee National Forest. Collaborated with Wisconsin DNR and other partners to initiate a broad marketing campaign, designed to educate the general public about the ecological and economic values of active timber management. Healthy Forests, continued on page 12 RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 11

14 Healthy Forests, continued from page 11 RGS/AWS-OWNED HABITAT MACHINES Completed habitat management activities on more than 65 projects covering over 1,867 acres of habitat in MINNESOTA RGS donated a forestry machine to the MN DNR in 2011 which continues to complete habitat work, trail maintenance, firebreak clearing, brushland mowing and wildlife openings throughout Minnesota. MICHIGAN This past year is the eighth year for the Michigan Habitat Machine Program. The Michigan habitat machine has improved habitat on over 3,200 acres to date. The acres listed are only those directly touched by the machine. There are many more surrounding acres affected by the work performed. Our machine is usually the only low cost option for both private and public landowners. The machine also serves as an educational and outreach tool to teach others about young forest management. In 2016, the Michigan machine completed 25 projects and 275 acres including 10 projects on public land totaling 218 acres and 19 on private land totaling 122 acres. PENNSYLVANIA The CAT machine in Pennsylvania worked on six habitat projects totaling 232 acres affected in WEST VIRGINIA The RGS habitat machine in West Virginia was busy, working on 29 habitat projects totaling 633 working hours and affecting 1,252 acres. WISCONSIN Though warm winter weather and soft soil conditions limited use of the Wisconsin habitat machine in 2016, RGS/AWS volunteer Mike Riggle was able to enhance over 108 acres of habitat for young forest wildlife on five different project sites scattered across central and northern Wisconsin. 12

15 CONSERVATION POLICY A COLLECTIVE VOICE THROUGH THE DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION POLICY DAN DESSECKER AND THE COLLECTIVE VOICE OF REGIONAL WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS, REGIONAL DIRECTORS, CHAPTERS AND MEMBERS, RGS AND AWS REMAIN LEADERS IN THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMUNITY AS LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED AFFECTING OUR NATION S FORESTS AND FOREST WILDLIFE. WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION Throughout 2016, your Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) continued our long struggle to remedy the ever-increasing challenge of funding the suppression of wildfires in the West without gutting the ability of federal land management agencies to address other pressing needs elsewhere in the nation. These needs include maintaining the young forest habitats required by ruffed grouse, American woodcock, golden-winged warblers and a host of other critters. The current dedication of approximately 50 percent of the United States Forest Service (USFS) budget to combat these natural disasters is significantly affecting the ability of the Agency to meet wildlife-related and other forest plan objectives and public expectations. Common-sense solutions, such as targeted reforms to redundant project planning requirements are essential. Likewise, fiscally responsible funding protocols to ease the financial burden on the USFS and other federal land management agencies from wildfire suppression costs would enhance the ability of these agencies to succeed in their efforts to conserve our nation s wildlife and secure our nation s hunting heritage. With the aid of over 200 other organizations from across the broad range of conservation/environmental interests, we got close to achieving this goal. But at the end of the day, no final vote was taken to provide federal agencies the administrative reforms and the financial resources to both suppress wildfires and to meet the myriad of other conservation priorities. We will keep trying to stem this erosion of the capacity to conserve our nation s federal public lands. SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS The legislatures of many western states have passed resolutions and other pronouncements demanding that the federal government turn over all or a portion of the federal lands within their boundaries to their respective state agencies. And while it s entirely possible that state natural resource agencies could do as good a job, or better, of managing these lands than the federal government, it s also entirely possible that these same legislatures would, in times of fiscal uncertainty, sell off high-value parcels to help balance the budget. Although RGS/AWS has supported the transfer of small parcels between federal and state or local agencies to consolidate ownerships and management authority and take advantage of the administrative benefits that such consolidation can impart, we do not support the large-scale transfer of federal lands to other interests. America is unique in that hunters and others who enjoy the outdoors in effect own our nation s federal public lands. We don t need to ask permission to hunt, hike or harvest mushrooms or berries on these lands. We don t want this birthright to be taken away from our children, their children and their children. We fear that this potential slippery slope could take our nation s federal public lands over a cliff. RGS/AWS views the Good Neighbor Authority outlined in the 2012 Farm Bill, which was finally passed in 2014, as a better option than the wholesale divestiture of our federal public lands. Through this Authority, state and local natural resource management agencies can dramatically aid in the implementa- Conservation Policy, continued on page 14 RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 13

16 Conservation Policy, continued from page 13 tion of needed on-the-ground projects using their own personnel. The costs associated with these efforts are offset by the revenues generated from the harvest of marketable forest products during project implementation a true win win situation for our nation s natural resources and the public. Several states have embraced this Authority and are making substantive strides with their federal agency partners to better conserve these resources and recreational opportunities for the public. PETITION FOR RULEMAKING On April 30, 2015, RGS filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the USFS due to the Agency s consistent failure to provide the young forest habitats required by the ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other game and nongame wildlife on national forests throughout the eastern United States. Unfortunately over the past several decades, individual national forests throughout the eastern United States have met, on average, only 24 percent of forest plan minimum acreage goals for these important young forest habitats. Not surprisingly, wildlife dependent upon young forest habitats are experiencing substantial population declines on many of our national forests. The USFS and RGS/AWS met in March 2016, at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, to discuss steps that the Agency had taken to address the compelling need for additional emphasis on the conservation of wildlife of young forests since our Petition was filed. The USFS identified several recently proposed habitat management projects on national forests in the eastern United States that, if fully implemented, will help move the ball forward. In addition, the USFS set aside a big chunk of time during its regularly scheduled meeting at the Conference with wildlife conservation organizations from across the nation to specifically address the status and trends of wildlife of young forests. It was gratifying to note that these organizations were unanimous in their support for additional attention to the loss of these habitats. Subsequent to the Conference, the USFS distributed visual examples from a forward-thinking software tool that can display what a landscape will look like X years down the road after the implementation of a proposed project. This type of tool could aid in generating public support for proposed projects, which could greatly reduce project planning costs and time. Like the efforts to address wildfire funding addressed above, RGS/AWS worked in 2016 with other leaders in the wildlife conservation community to pass bi-partisan legislation designed to enhance wildlife conservation and hunting opportunities on federal lands (Sportsmen s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act). And like the wildfire funding legislation, the SHARE Act failed at the 11th hour to get an up or down vote and died on the vine. RGS/AWS is already working with other groups and Congress to refine this legislation and, finally, move it across the finish line. AMERICAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARTNERS The American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) is a consortium of 47 organizations that represent the interests of America s dedicated hunter conservationists, professional natural resource managers, outdoor enthusiasts and conservations educators. RGS was a founding member of AWCP in 2000 and served as chair of the then fledgling partnership in Every 4 years, AWCP provides incoming administrations with a set of concise recommendations to enhance wildlife conservation and our hunting heritage on our nation s public and private lands, and 2016 provided another opportunity to do so. A review of the recommendations in the 2016 version of Wildlife of the 21st Century: Volume V, shows four over-arching themes: 1. Expand on-the-ground wildlife habitat management on our federal public lands. 2. Promote hunting on federal lands by increasing access for hunters and the habitats required by game wildlife. 3. Enhance cooperation between federal and state natural resource management agencies. 4. Increase funding available to federal and state natural resource management agencies. AWCP went beyond what we ve done in the past and reached out to the campaigns of both major party candidates in September 2016 to make them aware of the issues of importance to our community. We met with representatives of the Trump campaign in mid-september. We could not arrange a date to collectively meet with representatives of the Clinton campaign, but we kept the lines of communication open. Shortly after the 2016 presidential election, RGS and other AWCP organizations worked with the transition team for then President-Elect Trump to identify individuals who might be appropriate to serve in Administration positions that have substantial influence on issues of interest to hunters and other wildlife conservationists. Our input was well received and appeared to be seriously considered. RGS/AWS will continue to work with the current Administration and Congress in Washington, and those that follow, to advocate for federal land management policies and practices that allow you and yours to continue to pursue your passions afield each fall. We hope that you will continue to provide your support and your voice to help us help the critters that can t speak for themselves. 14

17 COMMUNICATIONS HIGHLIGHTS RGS/AWS IS THE VOICE OF FOREST WILDLIFE Consistent, frequent and targeted communications are essential to: 1. INFORM AND ENGAGE MEMBERS 2. EDUCATE THE PUBLIC Staff and members consistently communicate core values: HEALTHY FORESTS ~ ABUNDANT WILDLIFE SPORTING TRADITIONS STAFF AND MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS The most impactful communications method for RGS and AWS is that of our staff, members and volunteers. Staff biologists are well-respected and are the go-to voice for forest management from the national to local levels. When called upon to affect young forest legislation or policy nationwide, RGS and AWS members are an essential asset with proven results. Thank you for your efforts in preserving our sporting traditions by advocating for young forest across North America. RGS & AWS staff are pictured outside headquarters in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY MAGAZINE The Ruffed Grouse Society magazine continues to be a key tool for informing, engaging and educating members on RGS and AWS habitat programs, news, events and recruitment initiatives. The magazine models the tagline by featuring classing articles promoting our sporting traditions, articles from our biologists on scientific forest management, including news from the organization and featuring information from our chapters, members and volunteers. The publication won the prestigious 2016 APEX Award for Publication Excellence. org/magazine Communications, continued on page 16 RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 15

18 Communications, continued from page 15 Photos from the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour in Southern Appalachia by A.J. DeRosa (Project Upland) and Matt Soberg GROUSE CAMP TOUR Thanks to Tour Sponsor SportDOG Brand, RGS & AWS staff continued this digital media and membership initiative by traveling through the Southern Appalachian Region in November during the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour celebrating chapters, members, habitat and the grouse hunting experience. Starting in West Virginia through Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia, staff visited chapters and members documenting travels, interviews and hunting in real-time on various digital media channels, including the RGS website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. The Tour gained membership through a dedicated membership drive, increased analytics online and on social media and helped RGS and AWS celebrate our mission impact, members and volunteers with content for the next generation of grouse and woodcock hunters. For more, and DIGITAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN 2016 NEW MEMBER DRIVE >1,350 NEW MEMBERS Thanks to a grant from the Cabela s Outdoor Fund, RGS and AWS cooperated with Dangerous Cow Publishing and its Project Upland platform to create videos featuring RGS and AWS habitat programs, recruitment initiatives, and grouse/woodcock hunting. These videos were shared on social media channels while promoting new member promotions. The 2016 new member drive featured an RGS-patched, Jay Dowd artwork long-sleeve Tshirt, a chance to win a SportDOG TEK 2.0 and regular membership benefits including four issues of the Ruffed Grouse Society magazine. This promo was distributed solely through RGS and AWS digital media channels and other strategic events and attracted more than 1,350 new members

19 RECRUITMENT & RETENTION NEW HUNTER MENTOR PROGRAM FUNDING $15,309 Minnesota DNR Angler and Hunter Recruitment and Retention Grant $19,410 Torstenson Fund Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation $12,123 RGS and AWS In-Kind $2,110 Sandstrom Family Foundation HIGHLIGHTS The New Hunter Mentor Program held leadership activities in Texas, West Virginia and Pennsylvania The NHMP was recognized by the R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) locally and nationally Federal Ammunition sponsored the NHMP RGS Leadership Academy developed with plans for event in Michigan July 2017 This year, 2016, was the first year that the New Hunter Mentor Program (NHMP) in full was available to the chapters of RGS and AWS. It was introduced to have an innovative outreach initiative focused on educating and influencing all new hunters. This program is performed by local RGS and AWS chapter volunteers and other professionals from the community and includes and educational component taught over multiple days. The program emphasizes gun safety, marksmanship and shooting; dog handling and care; field skills, habitat awareness and mapping. We had multiple states that took part in the NHMP from the Great Lakes region, East Coast and southern states. The overall feedback we received was they did not know how much habitat has an effect on the birds and how hunting was more fun than they thought. They also learned that it was not an easy sport. Some shoe leather was involved and your game bag does not always dictate if you had fun or not. The mentors that attended and participated were humbled by the reward of seeing new hunters going out and enjoying what they have experienced for a long time. Giving back your time and leadership is an immeasurable experience only you can fully understand if you are part of the program. The program was part of numerous individuals that shot their first upland bird. The look on their faces were unforgettable. The ages were from 12 to 40 s. The program was also shared with some Wounded Warriors. Again unforgettable. ~ RGS & AWS Director of Member Relations & Outreach Mark Fouts Recruitment and Retention, continued on page 18 RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 17

20 Recruitment and Retention, continued from page 17 WOMEN S INTRO TO WINGSHOOTING PROGRAM FUNDING $6,880 Minnesota DNR Angler and Hunter Recruitment and Retention Grant $1,000 RGS and AWS Cash Support $10,362 RGS and AWS In-Kind $4,075 Torstenson Fund Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation $3,000 Local Support Sandstroms Distributing Grand Rapids State Bank First State Bank of Bigfork Powell s Excavating CN Construction Sawmill Inn L&M Supply The 2016 Women s Intro to Wingshooting (WIW) held in Grand Rapids, Minnesota was a pilot program that provided a comfortable environment for women of similar skill level interested in developing outdoor skills or furthering existing skills. Participants learned through a combination of lecture and hands-on experiences that took place over a six month period. In general course graduates demonstrated the proficiency to hunt with others in a safe and effective manner during the course culmination hunt. The 2016 pilot course had 15 participants. Of those, 12 attended the culmination hunt. In total 12 volunteers devoted time to instruction and guiding. Four instructors attended classes on a regular basis, three of those instructors were NRA certified firearms instructors (Harlow Zeppelin, Lane Dahline, Devon Dahline) and experience trap shooters (Randy Ott). Course participants ranged from 20 years of age to approximately 70 years of age. Although unmeasurable, course participants became friendly and familiar with each other over the six-month course. In part, retention rate in the class could be attributed to the social dynamics between the women and volunteer instructors. Plans have been made for another WIW course in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and to expand the program to Duluth in ~ RGS & AWS Regional Wildlife Biologist Meadow Kouffeld 18

21 MEMBERSHIP Chapters, Banquets and Events RGS AND AWS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED SUPPORT FOR HABITAT AND HUNTING IN 2016 THROUGH THE HARD WORK AND OUTREACH EFFORTS OF MEMBERS AND STAFF, THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK SOCIETY, MEMBERSHIP DRIVES AND COMMUNICATIONS. RGS MEMBERSHIP 4% Increase in 2016 MEMBERSHIP GROWTH 29% Increase since 2011 BANQUETS 96 RGS & AWS Banquets held in 2016 EVENTS >176 Total RGS & AWS Banquets and Ancillary Events held in 2016 LIFE SPONSORS 400 5% Increase in 2016 BANQUET SPONSORS 1,634 12% Increase in 2016 CENTURION MEMBERS % Increase in 2016 AWS MEMBERSHIP 8% Increase in 2016 RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 19

22 CORPORATE SPONSOR PROGRAM RGS & AWS THANK ALL CORPORATE SPONSORS WHO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING HEALTHY FORESTS BY GENEROUSLY SUPPORTING THE MISSION TO BENEFIT THE FUTURE OF RUFFED GROUSE AND AMERICAN WOODCOCK POPULATIONS. CORPORATE SPONSOR LEVELS Sky Dance $30,000 Strutter $20,000 Drumming Log $10,000 Timberdoodle $5,000 Tail Fan $3,500 CORPORATE SPONSORS Sky Dance Level ($30,000) Drumming Log ($10,000) Nestle Purina Petcare Company St. Louis, Missouri SportDOG Brand Knoxville, Tennessee Consol Energy Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Strutter Level ($20,000) L. L. Bean Freeport, Maine Stihl Loveland, Ohio Worldwide Trophy Adventures Shelby, Michigan Federal Premium Anoka, Minnesota Timberdoodle ($5,000) Orvis Company Manchester, Vermont Clenzoil Tampa, Florida

23 DEVELOPMENT It s About Your Legacy THE RGS & AWS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM HAS GROWN TO PROVIDE STRATEGIC, INNOVATIVE AND CONSISTENT FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF CREATING HEALTHY FOREST HABITAT ACROSS THE NATION. PROGRAMS DEVELOPED Cumulative Giving Life Sponsorship Created Succession Society recognizing those naming RGS & AWS in their planned giving arrangements Created Memorial Program for those wanting to remember someone Establish new Corporate Sponsor program & criteria Gullion Circle Leadership/Advisory Team (in development) Centurion Recruitment Drive through the end of 2016 HIGHLIGHTS & DELIVERABLES Developed and created Succession Society program and materials Developed and created Memorial Program and materials General overview information pamphlet on all Planned Giving/Development strategies and programs Created Cumulative Giving Life Sponsor information sheet Created Centurion recruitment flyer Strategically developed and planned Legacy, beneficiary ads in each magazine Developed Planned Gift ad in each magazine Developed Honor or Memory ad in each magazine Created Special Centurion Promotion ad for magazine Regular Preserve our Legacy feature story developed with accompanying ads in magazine Cumulative Giving Recognition Program sidebar story in magazine Preserve Your Legacy The Right Fit article by Henry Page and Margurite Griffin appeared in Summer 2016 magazine New Corporate Sponsor program matrix developed and implemented Major Donor Enrollment Form created for internal use and tracking RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 21

24 2016 BANQUET/ EVENT ACTIVITY RGS and AWS held numerous banquets and other fundraising events throughout results found below 2016 BANQUETS BY NET REVENUE CITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME NET REVENUE 1 Pittsburgh, PA Greater Pittsburgh Area $94,098 2 Grand Rapids, MN Grand Rapids MN $43,822 3 Greensburg, PA Western Allegheny $36,011 4 Duluth, MN Duluth/Superior $34,280 5 Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $32,666 6 Twin Cities, MN Twin Cities MN $29,083 7 St. Cloud, MN West Central MN $28,085 8 Burlington, VT Green Mountain $26,322 9 Chicago, IL T. Stanton Armour $25, Crandon, WI Nicolet Wild River $23, New York, NY Allegheny $22, Traverse City, MI LeGrand Traverse $20, Media, PA Delaware Valley $19, Warroad, MN Lake of the Woods $19, Grand Rapids, MI Grand Rapids MI $18, Reading, PA Charles E. Bechtel $18, Prescott, WI Missi-Croix $18, Muskegon, MI W. MI Lakeshore $18, Frederick, MD Potomac Valley $18, Kingston, NY Mid-Hudson Valley $18, Virginia, MN David Salsman $17, Imlay City, MI Robert J Lytle $17, Washington, PA Covered Bridge $17, Sheboygan, WI Lake Shore $17, Ely, MN Crazy Flight $16, Atlanta, GA Georgia $15, S. Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $15, Lansing, MI Andy Ammann $15, Fredericksburg, VA Rappahannock $14, St. Ignace, MI Eastern UP $14, Park Falls, WI Flambeau River $14, Marquette, MI Mid UP $14, Cambridge, MN Rum River $14, Altoona, PA Thunderbird $13, Ironwood, MI Superior $12, Staunton, VA H.C. Edwards $12, Lewisburg, WV Highland Drummer $11, Kalamazoo, MI Southwestern MI $11, Flint, MI Keith Davis - Roger Moore $11, Tomahawk, WI Lincoln County $11, Syracuse, NY Central New York $11, Oakland, MD Backbone Mountain $10, Blackduck, MN Blackduck $10, Hadley, MA Western Massachusetts $10, Richmond, VA James River $10, Hackensack, MN Deep Portage $10, Marinette, WI Marinette County $9, Stevens Point, WI Golden Sands $9, Aitkin, MN Aitkin Area $9, Carlisle, PA Central Pennsylvania $9, Saginaw, MI Saginaw Valley $9, Augusta, ME Russ & Carole Dyer $9, Green Bay, WI Northeastern WI $9, Crystal Falls, MI North Woods $9, Eau Claire, WI Chippewa Valley $9, Petoskey, MI Al Litzenburger $9, International Falls, MN Voyageur $9, Seattle, WA Washington $8, Muscoda, WI Southwest WI $8, Elmira, NY Triple Flush $8, Sussex, NJ Skylands $8, St. Clairsville, OH Upper Ohio Valley $8, Gaylord, MI Jim Foote $7, Middlefield, OH Northern Ohio $7, Cadillac, MI Highlands $7, Clarksburg, WV South Central MI $7, Marshall, MI West Central WI $7, Marshfield, WI Gilbert R. Symons $7, Asheville, NC S. Appalachian $6, State College, PA Red Brush $6, Brainerd, MN Drumming Log $6, Bristol, VA Appalachian Highlands $6, Bemidji, MN Northcentral MN $6, Dubuque, IA Iowa $5, Madison, WI John M. Keener $5, New Wilmington, PA Neshannock Creek $5, Eagle River, WI Chain O Lakes $5, Alpena, MI Thunder Bay $5, Wausau, WI Rib Mountain $5, Erie / Meadville, PA French Creek Valley $5, Allentown, PA Lehigh Valley $5, Indianapolis, IN Indiana $5, Franklin, PA Allegheny Northwoods $4, Worcester, MA Brian Hays $4, Dubois, PA Bonasa $4, Detroit, MI Southeast Michigan $4, Bangor, ME Central Maine $3, Athens, OH Hocking River Valley $3, Baton Rouge, LA Louisiana Woodcock $3, West Branch, MI North Cental Michigan $3, Warren, MI Lakeside $3, Kane, PA Allegheny $3, Hayward, WI Wilderness Wings $3, Malone, NY North Country $2, Ash River, MN Ash River $1, Wilkes-Barre, PA Northeastern PA $

25 2016 BANQUETS BY INCREASE IN NET REVENUE (TOP 25) CITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME INCREASE IN NET REVENUE 1 Pittsburgh, PA Greater Pittsburgh Area $22,212 2 Virginia, MN David Salsman $20,148 3 Marquette, MI Mid UP $14,069 4 S. Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $12,463 5 Tomahawk, WI Lincoln County $11,054 6 Eau Claire, WI Chippewa Valley $9,448 7 Grand Rapids, MN Grand Rapids MN $8,488 8 Lansing, MI Andy Ammann $7,993 9 Greensburg, PA Western Allegheny $7, Kingston, NY Mid-Hudson Valley $7, Muskegon, MI W. MI Lakeshore $7, Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $7, St. Ignace, MI Eastern UP $5, Twin Cities, MN Twin Cities MN $5, Washington, PA Covered Bridge $4, Marinette, WI Marinette County $3, Burlington, VT Green Mountain $3, Marshall, MI South Central MI $3, Sheboygan, WI Lake Shore $3, Fredericksburg, VA Rappahannock $3, Traverse City, MI LeGrand Traverse $3, Ely, MN Crazy Flight $2, Bemidji, MN Northcentral MN $2, Flint, MI Keith Davis $2, Imlay City, MI Robert J Lytle $2, BANQUETS BY NET TO GROSS (%) (TOP 25) CITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME NET TO GROSS 1 Greensburg, PA Western Allegheny 75.2% 2 Grand Rapids, MN Grand Rapids MN 70.0% 3 Duluth, MN Duluth/Superior 68.9% 4 Lansing, MI Andy Ammann 68.6% 5 Pittsburgh, PA Greater Pittsburgh Area 65.1% 6 St. Clairsville, OH Upper Ohio Valley 64.6% 7 Crandon, WI Nicolet Wild River 63.1% 8 Burlington, VT Green Mountain 62.5% 9 Kalamazoo, MI Southwestern MI 61.3% 10 Erie / Meadville, PA French Creek Valley 61.0% 11 Elmira, NY Triple Flush 60.3% 12 Kingston, NY Mid-Hudson Valley 60.1% 13 Cambridge, MN Rum River 59.9% 14 Frederick, MD Potomac Valley 59.9% 15 Augusta, ME Russ & Carole Dyer 59.9% 16 New Wilmington, PA Neshannock Creek 59.8% 17 Washington, PA Covered Bridge 59.6% 18 Reading, PA Charles E. Bechtel 58.2% 19 Flint, MI Keith Davis 56.3% 20 Indianapolis, IN Indiana 56.1% 21 Sheboygan, WI Lake Shore 56.1% 22 Atlanta, GA Georgia 55.9% 23 Muskegon, MI W. MI Lakeshore 55.4% 24 St. Cloud, MN West Central MN 55.3% 25 Prescott, WI Missi-Croix 54.7% 2016 BANQUETS BY INCOME-PER-PERSON (TOP 25) CITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME NET / PERSON 1 Fredericksburg, VA Rappahannock $297 2 Grand Rapids, MN Grand Rapids MN $243 3 Pittsburgh, PA Greater Pittsburgh Area $238 4 Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $218 5 Greensburg, PA Western Allegheny $211 6 St. Cloud, MN West Central MN $207 7 Washington, PA Covered Bridge $201 8 Duluth, MN Duluth/Superior $199 9 Burlington, VT Green Mountain $ Virginia, MN David Salsman $ Seattle, WA Washington $ Chicago, IL T. Stanton Armour $ S. Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $ Middlefield, OH Northern Ohio $ Prescott, WI Missi-Croix $ Erie / Meadville, PA French Creek Valley $ Atlanta, GA Georgia $ Cambridge, MN Rum River $ Crandon, WI Nicolet Wild River $ Frederick, MD Potomac Valley $ Twin Cities, MN Twin Cities MN $ Kingston, NY Mid-Hudson Valley $ Warroad, MN Lake of the Woods $ Blackduck, MN Blackduck $ Reading, PA Charles E. Bechtel $ SPECIAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS BY NET REVENUE (TOP 25) CITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME NET REVENUE 1 National Hunt Grand Rapids, MN $168,526 2 New York City Dinner New York, NY $22,664 3 PA Upland Bird Hunt Kersey, PA $21,767 4 NY Grouse & Woodcock Hunt Malone, NY $13,315 5 Lancaster Shoot Lancaster, PA $9,000 6 Griskevich Memorial Shoot Mapleville, RI $7,632 7 Clarksburg Shoot Clarksburg, WV $7,555 8 Spirits for Wild Game Dinner Cincinnati, OH $7,384 9 Banff Film Festival Eau Claire, WI $4, MN Game Fair Anoka, MN $4, Addieville Shoot Mapleville, RI $3, Alpena Steak Fry Alpena, MI $3, Asheville Fun Shoot Asheville, NC $3, Wausau Hunt for Habitat Tomahawk, WI $3, Washington Shoot Washington, PA $2, Syracuse NY Shoot Syracuse, NY $2, Woods n Water Booth Imlay City, MI $2, Bonefish Tournament Marsh Harbour, Bahamas $2, Carlisle Shoot Carlisle, PA $2, Cambridge Shoot Cambridge, MN $2, Woodcock Challenge Gaylord, MI $2, Dunbar Shoot Dunbar, WI $1, Franklin Shoot Franklin, PA $1, Flint Shoot Flint, MI $1, Georgia Fun Shoot Georgia, GA $1,638 RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 23

26 FINANCIAL INFORMATION The financial information provides a snapshot of the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society consolidated financials for fiscal year Please visit for more detailed information and our complete audited statements. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (000 S) SUPPORT & REVENUE MEMBERSHIP...$619 PROGRAM CONTRIBUTIONS...1,444 BANQUETS & OTHER EVENTS...2,288 PROGRAM REVENUE ADVERTISING & OTHER INCOME TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE...$5,452 OPERATIONAL EXPENSE PROGRAM SERVICES...$4,795 ADMINISTRATION FUNDRAISING...50 TOTAL OPERATIONAL EXPENSES...$5,513 SUPPORT & REVENUE LESS EXPENSES...$-61 SOURCES OF SUPPORT & REVENUE BANQUET & OTHER EVENTS 42 % Photo by Bill Marchel PROGRAM CONTRIBUTIONS 27 % MEMBERSHIPS 11 % CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (000 S) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS...$6,414 LONG TERM ASSETS...60 FIXED ASSETS...1,086 OTHER ASSETS...53 TOTAL ASSETS...$7,613 LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES...$1,285 LONG TERM LIABILITIES...0 TOTAL LIABILITIES...$1,285 PROGRAM REVENUE 4 % ADVERTISING & OTHER INCOME 16 % WHERE YOUR RGS AND AWS DOLLAR GOES ADMINISTRATION 12.1 % FUND BALANCE RETAINED...$6,389 CURRENT TOTAL FUND BALANCE...$6,328 TOTAL LIABILITIES & FUND BALANCE...$7, PROGRAM SERVICES 86.9 % FUNDRAISING 1.0 %

27 THANK YOU... The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society sincerely thank the following supporters for their generous contributions to habitat creation for ruffed grouse and American woodcock and dedication to the RGS & AWS mission. GULLION CIRCLE GOLD ASPEN RING, SILVER BIRCH RING & BRONZE MAPLE RING The late Gordon W. Gullion, known as Mr. Grouse, was universally acknowledged as the world s leading expert on ruffed grouse ecology. The Gullion Circle, Gold Aspen Ring, Silver Birch Ring and Bronze Maple Ring recognize those who have contributed $25,000 or more to the Ruffed Grouse Society. The Gullion Circle - $250,000 or more; Gold Aspen Ring - $100,000; Silver Birch Ring - $50,000; and Bronze Maple Ring - $25,000. GULLION CIRCLE Gaylen Byker David V. Uihlein Foundation Suzanne Dixon Elizabeth, Allan & Warren Shelden Foundation Edwin Gott, Jr. Joe Irwin Denis Karnosky Gary Martin Nestle Purina Petcare Co. James H. Oliver Perkins Charitable Trust Stephen Quill Richard King Mellon Family Foundation Richard King Mellon Foundation Mrs. William L. Searle Scotty Searle The Searle Family Trust Terry Wilson, Ugly Dog Hunting GOLD ASPEN RING Johnson Timber Corp. James L. Jurries Gunnar, Louise & Rebeka Klarr The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation Mead Westvaco Corp. Bruce Ogle John C. Oliver David Perkins George S. Rich David D. Sandstrom Willaim B. Sordoni David C. Wahl SILVER BIRCH RING Hobson Brown, Jr. Larry & Cindy Brutger Leon (Joe) Chandler, M.D. Lawrence M. Clark James Hayett Martie & Wayne Jacobson, Jr. John & Carolynn Loacker W. Stephen Maritz David L. Moore Morton Family Foundation John Mullin, III Alan Rheinschmidt S. Kent Rockwell Foundation Betsy Searle William W. Shelden, Jr. The Sordoni Foundation, Inc. Jason R. Spaeth William A. Yacktman Michael D. Zagata Ziegler Construction BRONZE MAPLE RING Robert J. Bates, M.D. Robert W. & Susan T. Brown Rick III & Trish Bryan Thomas W. Dew, III Marshall Field, VI Don E. Funk Richard & Judi Huempfner D. Wayne Jacobson, Sr. Tracy T. Larsen Robert Mac W. Macdonald, Jr. Mars Foundation Menasha Corporation Foundation Shane Thomas Mengel Olin - Winchester Corp. John C. Oliver, III M. Richard Phillips Adrian B. Ryan, M.D. Duane Sather Harold J. Schneider, Sr. S. Bruce Smart, Jr. Stevens Engineers and Constructors, Inc. Joseph F. Toot, Jr. The White Pine Fund Thomas S. Word, Jr. George J. Wordingham Paul Zelisko Gordon W. Gullion RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 25

28 RGS LIFE SPONSORS UNITED STATES AND CANADA $10,000 LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP ALASKA Leon (Joe) Chandler Trigg Davis Mike Griffin Richard Hemmen Steve Hyams Bryan Knight Robb Milne William Pease Adrian B. Ryan Specialty Supply, Inc. Janice Strong Len & Marty Yuknis ARKANSAS Tracy Lee CALIFORNIA Johanson Ventures, Inc. Keith A. Johnson Family Foundation Shane Thomas Mengel James H. Oliver COLORADO Edwin H. Gott, III Steve R. Higgins James E. Kurtzman Jim E. Peterson Betsy Searle Timothy J. Travis FLORIDA James A. Cornetet Randy Hicks Lawrence S. Katz Curtis Marks Gary T. Martin Todd M. Ryan David C Wahl 26 GEORGIA Michael E. Dickens M. Richard Phillips Curtis G. Werner ILLINOIS Jean Armour Timothy Ian Bates Joe (Jamie) Byers Buckley Byers Caterpillar, Inc. John A. Clemetsen Suzanne Dixon James W. Dominik Russell & Christina Fisher James Hayett in Memory of Arthur J. Hayett David Keller Chapin Lee John & Suzanne Leonard Barry MacLean Damon Marano David L. Moore William P O Keefe, Jr. Olin Winchester Corp. Greg Oyer Alan Rheinschmidt Andrew M. Rosenfield Damon Sather Keith Schopp John (Jake) S. Searle William Kent Searle Scotty Searle Mrs. William L. Searle The Searle Family Trust Thomas Sennstrom Tom Shaughnessy Brian Simmons Daniel J. Sopocy Brett Evan Sopocy J. Gregory & Molly South William R. Stevens Frank A. Svoboda Jade Vickers Stanford K. Williams William A. Yacktman The Yacktman Foundation Paul Zelisko Robert Ziegler INDIANA Luke Funk Jim & Heidi Straka IOWA Jeff Doll Nestle Purina Petcare Co. KANSAS Ghassan (Gus) Bader KENTUCKY Tom & Susan Burtoft LOUISIANA Thomas Noell Jacques L. Wiener, Jr. MAINE The Brook Family Foundation Leon Gorman MARYLAND Gayle L. Byker James F. Farmer John W. Greene, Jr. Ben Griswold Robert Mac W. Macdonald, Jr. Tyler Mills William Mills George S. Rich David Barrett Rich George Sunderland Rich Stursa Equipment Co. Ltd Kenneth M. Stuzin Joel F Visser Johannes Byker Visser David R. Wilmerding, III MASSACHUSETTS William G. Curtis, V Jonathan Ennis Robert J. Hare Anthony R. Mastromarino, Jr. Stephen B. Quill Stephen F. Quill MICHIGAN Richard W. Barch William Bolyard Gaylen J. Byker Steve Chaffee Charles Chandler Scott E. Christopher, Sr. Rob DeVilbiss Stephen H. Fletcher Frey Foundation Eric R. Fritz Don E. Funk David Geenen Richard J. Geenen Matthew Grgurich Richard Heller Hen-Mar LLC Tim L. Hill James L. Jurries Hunter King Gunnar & Louise Klarr Rebekah Klarr Blake Krueger Frederic W. Kruer Tracy T. Larsen Dave M. Lillie Joe Maggini David B. Medema M. J. Moroun John Myaard Todd G. Oosting David & Mary Slikkers Mike Snapper Richard R. Taylor Jeff Towner Michael G. VanLokeren Venture Industries Wessel Gun Shop, Inc. MINNESOTA Greg Aplin Kevin Aplin APR Captil Investments, L.L.C. Allen R. Arvig Bill Hicks & Company Black Bear Log Homes Armand Brachman Larry Brutger Matthew Brutger Charles Burns CN Construction Inc. Clint Corrow Country Inn of Grand Rapids Cub Foods Kent Cummings Steve Fleming Fremont Industries, Inc. Steve Gilbertson Gary Goltz Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Grand Rapids Development Corp. Grand Rapids State Bank Dean Groebner John Haesler Robert Hamilton Steve Hanson Richard & Judi Huempfner D. Wayne Jacobson, Jr. D. Wayne Jacobson, Sr. Martie Jacobson Charles Johnson Mark Kiecker Sven Lindquist Terry L. Lydell Jake Marvin Kristi Matteson MN Deer Hunters Association Jerry Moehnke Casey Newman Bruce A. Ogle Dennis O Toole Steven W. Rice Safari Club International David D. Sandstrom Dean Sandstrom Julie Sandstrom Hitchcox Sawmill Inn Dennis Scherer Robert L. Seibert Snet s Welding & Fabrication Jason R. Spaeth Kurt G. Sundquist Dennis Tollefson Total Control Solutions UPM/Blandin Paper Company Wells Fargo Bank Of Grand Rapids Steve M. Wilcox Noah Wilcox Leonard Wohlman Ziegler Construction MISSOURI Anheuser-Busch Foundation Ted S. Cooper Stephen C. Jones W. Stephen Maritz Tom Schlafly MONTANA Andy Duffy NEBRASKA Clarence L. Werner NEW HAMPSHIRE Robert & Patricia Leipold David E. Michno NEW JERSEY Stephen H. Browne Griffin And Howe Keano David Munoz NEW YORK Eric Paul Affuso Hobson Brown, Jr. Lawrence M. Clark, Jr. Marshall Field, VI The Funnyfolk Farm The George F. Baker Trust Benjamin H. Griswold William V. Krazinski, Jr. Kuritzky Glass Co., Inc. Brent R. Nicklas Bill Nicklin Todd Solomon Michael D. Zagata

29 NORTH CAROLINA Chris Davis Glenn Harvey Bryan & Debbie Stutzman Bob Wendling Ken Wrangell Robert J. Bates, M.D. Sam W. McQuade, Jr. Leslie M. Rainwater OHIO Rick & Faith Bryan, IV Rick & Trish Bryan, III Byers Charitable Trust John F. Cassidy Fifth Third Bank Bill Goudy Memorial/Rick & Trish Bryan, III Lawrence D. Milligan, Jr. Orvis-Perkins Foundation Perkins Charitable Foundation Perkins Trust Robert J. Vadas T & D Thompson Joe F. Toot, Jr. OKLAHOMA Gregory & Linda Meyer OREGON David M. Fuller John & Carolynn Loacker PENNSYLVANIA Ralph W. Arthur, Jr. Morris C. Baker Arthur R. Borrell A. H. Burchfield, III Classic Shotshell, Inc. John B. Eichinger Craig Fiedler Fish Real Estate Nicholas Hays Gott Edwin H. Gott, Jr. Habitat For Wildlife Hirtle, Callaghan & Company J. Upton Hudson Charles (Mickey) M. Hutchko Joe R. Irwin Ron Kistler Lee Industries, Inc. Mark Lindstrom S. Prosser Mellon Samuel & Beatrice Moore Michael K. Moss, V.M.D John J. Murray, Jr. James D. Nyce John C. Oliver, III Samuel R. Pursglove, Jr. R. K. Mellon Family Foundation Richard King Mellon Foundation Rockwell Foundation Mark L. Rutledge James Sadler, Jr., M.D. Harold J. Schneider, Sr. Seneca Printing And Label, Inc. Kenneth L. Simon Jim & Clara Sue Smith William B. Sordoni The Sordoni Foundation, Inc. Larry & Dee Souleret Walter Stoecklein Kenneth H. Taylor, Jr. Robin F. Taylor Robert Woodings Wright Automotive Group SOUTH CAROLINA Edwin L. Devilbiss Chuck A. Gomulka MeadWestvaco Corp. John C. Oliver SOUTH DAKOTA Larry Pillard Duane Sather TENNESSEE Craig J. Balzer William B. Benton, Jr. W. Gregory Cook, M.D. Phillip Crowe Shannon R. Curtis, M.D. Jeff King Martin Rash The Tucker Foundation TEXAS Randolph R. Birkman Jordan Matthew Jayson Norman E. Nabhan George W. Passela Donald Patteson Jerry Theodorson VERMONT David Perkins Leigh H. Perkins, Sr. Frank Simms Ugly Dog Hunting VIRGINIA Isaac Freeman Jacob Jay E. Frith, II Karl K. Kindig Robin Leonard David D. MacDonald Mars Foundation Michael D. Milligan John H. Mullin, III Mark J. Ohrstrom Gustav Ohrstrom William L. Pannill William A. Royall, Jr. S. Bruce Smart, Jr. D. Middleton Smith, III Tony Makris William W. & Virginia B. Sale Foundation Thomas S. Word, Jr. David M. Word Thomas S. Word, III Mrs. Ray Paco Young Gary G. Youngblood WASHINGTON James H. Grimes Daniel Sather Fred Stark WEST VIRGINIA Audubon Animal Clinic Brad Hall, M.D. WISCONSIN American Garage Door Co. Geoff G. Bergauer Steve Bodenschatz Robert W. & Susan T. Brown Matthew Christy David V. Uihlein Foundation Thomas W. Dew, III Seth Dizard Doug P. Baumann Colin Fouts Mark Fouts Christopher Dennis Galle Great Northern Corp James Hayett W. B. Sonny Johnson Gillian Johnson Phillip Johnson Derrick Johnson Johnson Timber Corp. Denis Karnosky Eric & Gretchan Karnosky Joe Klein Gregg Kuehn Bradley Lengeling Dave Mathews Menasha Corporation Foundation Mertens Erectors, Inc. Michael F. Hupy & Assoc. Brigid O Donoghue John (Jack) M. Olson Dan Ongna Lynde B. Uihlein Ryan Woody George J. Wordingham Brittany Zebrasky Robert Zimmerman WYOMING Robert Model CANADA James Abbey G. Wayne Connor James Hoddinott Michael Phippen AWS LIFE SPONSORS $10,000 LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP Bruce A. Bennett, Massachusetts Stephen H. Fletcher, Michigan David O. Higley, Michigan Sawmill Inn, Minnesota Don Matta, Minnesota James H. Oliver, California George S. Rich, Maryland Brian W. Smith, Pennsylvania Ugly Dog Hunting, Vermont Nancy Anisfield, Vermont David Wahl, Florida Bruce Wojcik, Michigan RGS CENTURION MEMBERS UNITED STATES AND CANADA $1,000 LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP ALASKA Richard Todd Brown Conoco Phillips Thomas J. Eley, Jr. Daniel Hall Kevin J. Kehoe Spencer K. Wilson John Wunsch ARIZONA Raymond J. Clodi, Sr. Myron W. Gallogly Willard L. Smith Armed Forces Pacific Bryan Koontz CALIFORNIA David B. Lefevre Sean & Melissa McAvoy Stephen P. Renock, IV COLORADO Charles F. Garcia Thomas Moebius CONNECTICUT Jeffrey Gardner Arthur Jay Kover Lee W. Mather, Jr. David Mele Steven K. Wilson Richard W. Witmer, Jr. DELAWARE William K. Dupont Centurion List continued on page 28 If any names were misprinted or omitted, please contact RGS and AWS at editor@ruffedgrousesociety.org. RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 27

30 Centurion List, continued from page 27 FLORIDA Alexander Chester David R. Ellis Victor S. Falk, III Bruce Fenn, III George E. Ford Mike Gebhard Jeffrey J. Koss Thomas Laituri John Socol John H. Sullivan James W. Townsend Robert Uihlein Dr. Philip Winslow GEORGIA John R. Richards Travis Wallick ILLINOIS Russell H. Buechs Andrew Graser John E. Hunt George D. Ihrke, Jr. Walter Kasten Stephen Lynch John R. Rodelli Joel Ross Scalzo Lewis J. Scheer Eric Torstenson Ronald J. Vecchie Steven Worth INDIANA Larry W. Dunn Christopher Miller Brad Quinn IOWA Daniel Bartlett Morris A. Knutsen KANSAS William Bradley John Glassman Dana Towle KENTUCKY Frank Allen Richard D. Oliver David E. Trauth LOUISIANA Glenn Begnaud Mark & Diane Larson Harold A. Loyacano, Jr. Edward A. Neupert MAINE Benjamin E. Jeffries Daniel Nein A. E. Schickle Charles Tappan Bradley C. Varney Art Wheaton MARYLAND Amir Alikhani Aspen Hill Sidney W. Beddow, II Marshall H. Durston Thomas A. Edwards Jonathon Farber Harry S. Gruner Stuart F. Hall Jack Shaw Richard Lee Simis Calbraith Rodgers Wheaton MASSACHUSETTS Bruce A. Bennett Paul Bruk, III Gregory T. Garland Charles W. Hulbert Frederick Moseley, III Stephen Poss Patrick S. Wilmerding MICHIGAN Michael R. Allett Robert Bartels, Jr. Craig S. Boyles Doug Callander Brent L. Canup Martin Carpenter Frank J. Corral Martin B. Cotanche William A. Crane William A. Demmer Brian & Dayna Drettmann Robert H. Flint Harry J. Fuller Ray Jaime Gonzalez Brian Granger Guns-N-Gear W. Lee Hammond Randall R. Hansen John Hart David L. Herrmann Donald E. Johnson, Jr. Jonathan Kovalcik Michael J. Vandoski, Jr. Dave Listello Michael Magnuson Tony Mazurek David McIntyre Bruce Otto John H. Paige Michael Schafer James (Jake) Shinners Bruce Simon Andrew Siudara David Duane Smith Archie H. Stevens, Sr. Ted Szydlowski Norman Torre Chris Tracy Max Trembour Tom Van De Griend Larry VerHage Frank C. Wheatlake Douglas L. Whitley Adam Whitney Richard G. Wimmer, Sr. MINNESOTA William Allen Andy Michalek Logging Tim Bymark Timothy Carlson Gregory Daigle, Sr. Don and Nancy Doll Jason Dufresne Curt Engels Craig Foss Tim Foster Game Research Center Mark Haslup Randy L. Havel Craig J. Heusinkveld Zenas Hutcheson George O. Jacobson Mike Kettenacker Tom & Jane Kingston Timothy D. Larson David M. Lilly Ryan P. Mallery Don E. Matta Austin David Matta Northprint International Peter Rainey Earl Roed G. Richard Slade Tad D. Sonneman Paul F. Stoll Matt Tuma William B. Webster Dale E. Weick Joe Witt MISSOURI Joe Sivewright Marco Surma Emilia Surma Mateo Surma MONTANA Dr. John K. Pike, Jr. NEW HAMPSHIRE Patrick O Donnell Paul V. Repasy, Sr. Shirley Rice NEW JERSEY C. Austin Buck Peter R. Kellogg Steven J. Renehan Tyrell K. Rydgren NEW YORK Erica Affuso George Barney Frederick W. Beinecke, II Albert E. Brunelli William V. Clark Sal DeBella Louis Giovanni George T. Driscoll, Jr. Jeff Fishak Richard E. Garman Roger Glenn Christofer Guarino Harris Hill Nursing Facility Susan Jones Graff Ross B. Kenzie David S. Kern, Sr. Donald A. Lancaster Joseph C. Littleton Waylon Lunn Walter McLallen Ralph Morgan Christopher Joseph Nastke Paul H. Oleary John Partenza Mike Pascarella George L. Scherrer, Jr. Frank R. Shumway, Jr. Richard T. Williams Lawrence Zirkel NORTH CAROLINA Jeff Akin Charles C. Bassett Pete R. Bromley James Fred Clodfelter Charles H. Duckett, M.D. Stephen L. Faust Joel W. King Jack Pittard Arnold C. Sheldon Dewey W. Wells NORTH DAKOTA Douglas Forgit OHIO Lynn T. Aduddell Clarence J. Bittner Chad J. Bowman Bob Epling James Hatfield Ray Mileski Mueller Roofing Distributors Robert Mullins Dr. Mitchell Nahra J. S. Renkert Hewitt Shaw Robert Thompson OREGON John M. Tess PENNSYLVANIA Jeff Ankney Otto Beck Stephen P. Biello Sam M. Black Todd Burns Russell Byers, Jr. James (Jay) D. Carmichael Bess E. Criswell James Depolo Robert A. Digel, Jr. Bob R. Glaser Nicholas R. Hilton Harry C. Hiney Angelo & Cynthia Hionis Tom F. Hoffman Thomas D. Kirkwood Kodlick Farms Richard Lewis David Macaleer Fred Martin Armour Mellon George Metroka Daniel Miller Jack W. Montgomery Eric Noll Eugene M. Oakill Laren Pitcairn James B. Ryan George (Jane) F. Sabo Gregg Scott Harris D. Sisley Earl R. Slusser Lloyd Smith Frank Smith Richard Snebold John J. Somonick Bernard Utnik Matthew E. Utnik Mr. & Mrs. Utnik & Sons Tripp Way Donald J. Williams Russell C. Wood A.E. Wright, M.D. Jake Yanosky 28

31 RHODE ISLAND Webster Goodwin, Jr. William F. White SOUTH CAROLINA D.O. Davies Gregg King Aleksander Krazinski SOUTH DAKOTA Alex Papp TENNESSEE Paul R. Benny, Sr. John H. Beveridge, M.D. Sonny Hitchcox Les Nation TEXAS Robert Blakely Jay Herbert John Surma UTAH Heggie R. Wilson VERMONT John McCormick, Jr. John O Hara Henry Slauson, III Ron Wright VIRGINIA Chuck Akre John D. Bassett, III Jim Blakeney P. Steve Bollinger, II Michael Casey Carpenter Robert Haessner William R. Hubble Peter Keefe Bob Martin Kirk William McCullough II John H. Monger Arthur H. Nash William W. Nease David L. Shackelford Michael Wilkerson WASHINGTON Rod & Val Olson Rice Family Foundation W.P. Wilkinson WEST VIRGINIA Michael Harmon, M.D. James Lemons WISCONSIN Charles R. Alden David R. Bertler Joshua M. Brettingen Jim Brockman Terrence Clark Dan & Hali Dessecker Stephen Joseph Ebert Dustin Robert Elsbury Patrick Fee Michael Jay Gildemeister Stephan D. Grams Brett Grams Ronald K. Haug The Highlands Sportsmen s Club Thomas B. Hurd Gary J. Krukar John & Clara Kubisiak Wayne L. Lacosse Tony J. Laszewski Malmquist Law Firm Tom Mohrhauser Bryan H. Mullett John Taylor Leonard H.Wurman Thomas P. Zapatka WYOMING Timothy Althauser Mary Anna G. Clay Jonathan T. Dawson Randy Smith David Walsh CANADA David Kains W. K. MacLeod Thomas L. Stephens Cody Wollen AWS CENTURION MEMBERS $1,000 LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP ILLINOIS Craig Purse Eric Torstenson LOUISIANA Jens Aubin Rummler MASSACHUSETTS Charles Kane MICHIGAN Craig S. Boyles Steve Chaffee Tracy T. Larsen Steve Poulios Jeff Towner MINNESOTA CN Construction Inc. Terry L. Lydell Bruce A. Ogle David D. Sandstrom Noah Wilcox Nicholas Wilcox Steve M. Wilcox MISSOURI Mateo Surma NEW JERSEY C. Austin Buck NEW YORK Louis DiGiovanni William V. Krazinski, Jr. Kuritzky Glass Co., Inc. Linc Lyman NORTH CAROLINA Stephen L. Faust PENNSYLVANIA Jeff Ankney John B. Eichinger Edwin H. Gott, Jr. Joseph V. Piccolo Jake Yanosky TENNESSEE Paul R. Benny, Jr. TEXAS John Surma WISCONSIN Mark Fouts Alex Gemrich James Hayett David Johnson Gary J. Krukar Dan Ongna Bob Ross If any names were misprinted or omitted, please contact RGS and AWS at editor@ruffedgrousesociety.org. RGS SUSTAINING MEMBERS Gold $500 / Silver $250 Bronze $150 GOLD Tony Armour, Illinois Jeffrey N. Bush, Indiana Jeff D. Willets, Massachusetts Chris Perryman, Michigan Jim S. Thorson, Minnesota Ed Hotz, Nebraska Scott M. Cook, New York Alexander Kollmar, New York Barry L. Carpenter, Virginia SILVER James B. Cavanagh, Arizona George Skakel, Connecticut Bruce S. Nicholas, Connecticut Darren Duzyk, Kentucky David A. Irving, Maine Joseph Townsend Roberts, Massachusetts Louis James Fierens, II, Michigan Alma Tire Service, Michigan Richville Conservation Club, Michigan Packaging Corp Of America, Michigan Anthony J. Krellwitz, Michigan Timothy J. McCauley, Minnesota Scott E. Anderson, Minnesota Jeff A. Mundhenke, Minnesota Gordon Dentinger, Minnesota Dean V. Skallman, Minnesota Richard C. Schmoker, Minnesota Bert Hollinshead, Minnesota Philip W. Ordway, Minnesota John B. Lewis, Missouri Helen Van Dyke & Brian King, Montana John D. Berquist, New Hampshire Nicholas Ribaudo, New York Chris Dobony, New York John Bace, New York James Savage, Ohio Mario Livojevic, Ohio Russell W. Gray, Ohio Theodore Rung, Pennsylvania Thomas R. Brougham, Pennsylvania William G. Braund, Pennsylvania Carl L. Campbell, Pennsylvania Appalachian Forest Consultants, Pennsylvania Rodney W. Burkert, Pennsylvania Lawrence Pyne, Vermont Charles S. Yates, Virginia James W. Shortt, Virginia Jerome W. McAllister, Wisconsin Richard Whiting, Wisconsin Sustaining Member List, continued on page 30 RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 29

32 Sustaining Member List, continued from page 29 BRONZE Richard W. Garner, M.D., Alaska John C. Larkin, Connecticut Landon Wyatt, District of Columbia Edward R. Gaw, Florida Henry E. Page, Illinois Roger L. Wilson, Indiana John Galli, Maryland Jeffrey Budnitz, Maryland David Hayes, Massachusetts William A. Ribich, Massachusetts David Swope, Michigan Sam Martin, Michigan Michael L. Miller, Michigan Steve J. Mikulich, Michigan Erick Osmon, Minnesota Michael Haider, Minnesota Terry A. Brandt, Minnesota Brandon Helm, Minnesota David L. Lemke, Minnesota Jim Master, Minnesota Nathan Lief, Minnesota Anders Dybdahl, Minnesota The Watson Living Trust, Missouri Key Family Farm L.P., Missouri Randall Shannon, Montana Patrick Rankin, Montana Jack Bowen, New Hampshire Philip D. Warren, New Hampshire Junior D. Kerns, New Mexico Morris Evans, New York Mark Smith, New York Gregg Gundersen, New York Richard T. Lopes, North Carolina William Satterfield, Ohio Francis M. Curran, Jr., Pennsylvania Barney Custer, Pennsylvania William G. Marlin, Pennsylvania Gary E. Laudermilch, Pennsylvania Michael Watson, Pennsylvania Karl Miller, Tennessee Dean Leming, Virginia Steve Yeager, West Virginia Terry Baker, Wisconsin Ted Rohloff, Wisconsin David Maerker, Wisconsin AWS SUSTAINING MEMBERS Gold $500 / Silver $250 Bronze $150 BRONZE W. Benjamin Johnson, Alabama Eric Kemper Goldwarg, New Hampshire Stephen Szuch, Pennsylvania RGS BANQUET SPONSORS UNITED STATES AND CANADA ALASKA Mike Griffin Leon (Joe) Chandler, M.M.M. ARKANSAS Tracy Lee CALIFORNIA Stephen P. Renock, IV COLORADO Edwin H. Gott, III Steve R. Higgins James E. Kurtzman CONNECTICUT O. Boyd Cooke Jonathan Greene Albert Watson DELAWARE Friess Associates Alan Roth FLORIDA Larry Bostick John Henderson Old Orchard Land Co LLC David C. Wahl GEORGIA All Metro Electrical Distributors Mike & Lisa Bashaw Tom Bruce Buckeyes Plantation Ken Buck Buford Financial Services Trent Conner, D.M.D. Bill Cunningham Alan Densmore, Inc. Dow Argo Sciences Forsyth County Pawn, Inc. Stephen A. Glenn George Herspiegel Howe Construction, Inc. Rodney C. Jones Jeff J. Lyall Clarence R. McKemie, III Rob Morris John R. Richards Rogers Electric James R. Waite Wilson & Strickland, Inc. Barry S. Zuckerman HAWAII Ted Bennett ILLINOIS V. Kelley Armour Bob Belter Lance Buhrman Craig A. Burman Beth E. Burnson Joe (Jamie) Byers Jim Calaway John A. Clemetsen James W. Dominik David A. Hartley Gregg Kuetemeyer Damon Marano David L. Moore Morton Family Foundation Conor Mullady Patrick Murphy Tom Nelson Paul & Beth Olin Kris Pederson Philip & Lise Puckorius Damon Sather Keith Schopp John Schreiner Thomas Sennstrom Frank L. Sibr Stone Barrett Foundation Frank A. Svoboda, Jr. Chris Tabacca Philip Templeton Tobermorry Farms Donald Waterlander William A. Yacktman John H. Ziegler INDIANA Lester Anders Thomas J. Beauchamp John M. Eisenmann, D.P. A. James J. Fuqua Dan Gehring Beeb Graham Gary G. Kellam Jack Leonard William McTurnan Craig Ruble Michael D. Shipley IOWA Biechler Electric Bob s Hole In The Wall Bouslog Insurance Tom G. Clark Farmers State Bank Jon R. Farrell Fieldhouse Cedar Rapids Rick & Kathy Frees Guaranty Bank & Trust David & Barbara Kalkwarf Daniel Kaufmann Tom & Sonja Leahy Kevin Loy Harley V. Pothoff Joe F. Saddler Frank H. Saddler Bill J. Saddler Eric Van Hook Van Meter, Inc LOUISIANA Harold A. Loyacano, Jr. MAINE Bilodeau Insurance Bob & Debbie Brey Blaine Carter Ella Carter Jason Carter Paul Daiute Downeast Lakes Land Trust Carole Dyer Russell Estes Carl J. Freeman Fryeburg Fish & Game Assoc. Steven Garwood Wyatt Knutson Matt Lorrello Paul s Marina William R. Martens Kevin McCarthy Owen Gray & Son, Inc Jim Peva Sportsman s Alliance of Maine Bradley C. Varney Woodman s Sporting Goods Store MARYLAND Allegany Hearing & Balance Richard J. Anderson Backbone Mt. Sport Shop 30

33 Sidney W. Beddow, II Brian Boal Peck Burmeister Erik Chick Clarksburg Animal Hospital Alan Cummings Edward Jones, A.M.A. Fredlock Funeral Home Glotfelty Enterprises Hagerstown Honda Dave Hansroth Helbig Jewelers Barbara & Howard Janoske Robert Mac Macdonald, Jr. Chuck Mills Brad Minnick Lucian Mitran Kenneth J. O Connell Jim O Connell Pineview Veterinary Hospital, D.M.D. Michael J. Ryan Jack Shaw Paul Shields Roy Smith Spring Creek Outfitters Team One Chevrolet, Buick & GMC John Thereault Triple S Hardwoods Robert Wolfes MASSACHUSETTS Walter D. Allen, III John Allen Michael Beaudry Bruce A. Bennett Berkshire Bridge & Iron Peter Bonneau Brad Byers John Conkey, Sr. Gary Conrad George L. Darey Jan E. Dizard Jeffrey M. Hayer, M.D. Philip G. Hiser, Jr. Jim Johnson, Jr. Mickey Marcus Scott K. Matheson Declan Matheson Anders L. Nilsson Pantermehl Land Clearing John Petros Stephen F. Quill Ross Rackliff Luke Ratcliffe Dean Scudder Dave Slater Terry W. Smith MICHIGAN Troy P. Allen Michael D. Allett Randy Almirall Mark Altemann Steve Arbaugh Roger Arntz Marc Austhof Michael Barnes Steve Barnhart Roger C. Bauer Scott Bays Bay Pines Veterinary Clinic Christopher Beal Frederick Bechtold, Jr. Jon Bednarick Edward A. Beekman Sargent Begeman Belonga Excavating, Plumbing & Heating Bing Bennett Ed Berry Bessemer Plywood Corp. Betsie River Camp Site Vernon R. Bird Glen R. Blackwood Marty Blashfield Dale Bolyard Patrick Bolyard William Bolyard Rob Bondy Bill Borst Chris & Margi Bovee David & Sue Bowers Ron Britton Carey & Jaskowski, PLLC Preston Carli Jeff Carpenter Carquest GTC, Inc. CJ Chaitanya John N. Clark George Clayton Chad Clayton Bill Clous Pat J. Cole Coleman Engineering Chuck Connell James Cooke Jim Craig Mason Crandall Kevin Crowley William Currence T. Chalmers Curtis, III Cut-Rite E.D.M., Inc. Bradley Dagen Kenneth Davenport Allen Davidson Edward B. Davison Devin Day Robert S. Dennison Bradley DePottey Rob DeVilbiss Daniel & Kristin Devito John Dunn Jim Dunn Dyer Auto Body E. Gillow Wealth Management John J. Earl Christopher L. Edgar Tom Elhart Elk & Hound Restaurant Ellens Equipment Eric J. Ellis Environment Architects Fred E. Feleppa Fischer Happy Hour Tavern James A. Fish, Jr. James A. Fish, Jr. Stephen H. Fletcher Robert A. Foote, O.D. Christopher M. Forman David K. Fraaza Frei Chevrolet Kevin Friddle Eric R. Fritz Tom A. Fruchey David Fuger Don E. Funk John R. Gale Gallagher & Kaiser Kevin Gardenier Gaslight Group Properties Charles F. Glass John T. Gleason Bob Gale Kevin Gleesing Frederick J. Goetz Gogebic County Forestry Comm. Lou Gostinger Grand Traverse Veterinary Hospital Glenn R. Gross Ted M. Gruizenga Scott Grush Mike Gustafson Richard Hall David A. Hamming Randall L. Hansen Donald P. Hanson Larry Heathman Eric Heitman Richard Heller Fritz Heller Jennie Hellman Brad Henion David E. Henton David O. Higley Tim L. Hill Scott Hill Mark Hirvonen Hobby Wheel Frederick Holdorph Les Housler Will Howard John B. Hubard I.D.F. Clean-Up, Inc. International Flint Regional Chapter Todd Ireland J. Tobin & Company, CPA s Mark Jackson David L. Jarvis David Jerovsek Keith A. Johnson Scott C. Johnson James N. Johnson Tom Johnson Michael B. Jolman Dennis G. Jolman Tom Jolman Steve Jolman Matthew Jolman Craig Jones Edward Jones Jeff & Monica Joseph Gaylord Jowett James L. Jurries David & Carol Kaczmarek Russell D. Keinath Scott D. Kennard Daryl Kesler Tim Kesler Matt Kindt Skip Knapp K. Peter Knudsen Alan Kropiewnicki Paul Kurtzman Lake Ann Brewing, Co Lake Road Veterinary Clinic Tracy T. Larsen LASR Property Management Chris T. Lautenbach Rick A. Leow Carl M. Leow Dave M. Lillie Jeffrey C. Littmann Lou Loseth Brad Luchsinger Andrew B. Lytle Michele M. MacMaster Hugh MacMaster Joe Maggini Makela, Pollack & Ahonen, PLLC Christopher J. Manzini Daniel A. Markham Marshall Builders Edward T. Martin Jason C. Marvin Jim Masters Matt Mates McBain Auto Center Peter J. McCutcheon Justin McGrail David B. Medema John Meldrum Thomas Mellentine Paul W. Mesack, D.V.M. Dave Meyering Bob Michalski Joe Miller William R. Mollison Bo Morley Brian R. Mueller Mukavitz Heating Inc. Patrick Murphy Gus Newbury Jim L. Newell Robert & Linda Noll Dennis D. Norman Northern Eye Care Associates Northern Angler Fly Shop Northern Michigan Bank Northern Energy J. Michael Oostmeyer John H. Paige John Paul Steve Peck Petoskey Plastics Robert Petrick Tom Petzold Brent D. Pike Pine Hill Kennels & Sportsman Club Steve Poulios Mike Quesnell Ray Fisher Inc. Thomas Reimer Red P. Richards Chuck Robertson Steve Rodock, Jr. Paul & Carol A. Rose Daniel F. Ross Peter T. Roth Nate Sailor Marty Sarrault William A. Schaufler Rex E. Schlaybaugh, Jr. Banquet Sponsors List, continued on page 32 If any names were misprinted or omitted, please contact RGS and AWS at editor@ruffedgrousesociety.org. RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 31

34 Banquet Sponsors List, continued from page 31 Jim Schneider Chris Schneider Brad W. Schuknecht Dan Schultz Kris Schulz Chris M. Schumacher Charles D. Scott William & Robin Seniura Justin Sharp Mike J. Shepard Tom Sheppard James (Jake) Shinners John C. Short Jeffrey B. Shull Mark E. Skerske Nathan Skibbe Gene E. Smith Jeff Smith Snow Country Contracting Jason A. Snyder Marc Somers Mark Spencer Andrew Spence Robert Steiner Ralph Stein Mark F. Stephens Kevin J. Steve Morrison Stevens Kevin Stewart Phil Stott Erik Strazzinski Fred Strich Superior Parts & Sales Thomas Swaninger Ed Swisher, M.D. Jerry T. Synkelma Ron G. Tankka Robert Taylor, III, D.D.S. Bob Taylor Jeff Taylor Scott Teske Richard Thompson Jeffrey A. Tibbits Steve M. Tiziani TMS Tool Timothy G. Tomas Douglas C. Toppin Jeff Towner John Towsley Traverse Ciety Products, Inc Kevin Travis UP Whitetails Association Robert M. Vala Matthew J. Vallee Tom Van De Griend Wayne E. VanderKolk Les W. VanDrie Gino Venditti Don Vlcek Eric Vincent Bruce A. Visniski Larry Visser Wagar Motor Sales Fritz Wahlfield, Jr. David S. Walker Matthew R. Ward Mark Warner Rod Weirauch Wenzel Buick-GMC Richard West Delbert C. Whitman Jim Wichert Debbie Widrig Williams Chevrolet Lori Winters Larry Wolthuis Steve York Tim Zelenka Jesse James Zimmerman James M. Zimmerman MINNESOTA 1st State Bank Of Bigfork Ben Abel Advanced Telemetry Systems Agassiz Insurance AIS Planning Aitkin Body Shop Aitkin Motor, Co. A J s Wine Creations Bill Aldinger Alissa Anne Partee Photography Al s Ornamental Iron & Welding, Inc. American Bank Of The North American Legion Post #54 Anderson Glass, Co. Brian Anderson Neil Anderson Appraisal Associates NC, Inc. Ash-Ka-Nam Resort & Lodge Aspen Exteriors Inc. Automotive Electric Service, Inc. Backus Corner Store Tom J. Bausch Dennis Bealka Bryan Beckedahl Craig Bender Benny Tree Service Benusa Appliance Berd Electric Craig Bjorklund Robert Bjornoos David H. Blattner, Jr. Border State Bank Border State Bank Chuck Brandes Douglas R. Brown Michael & Sharon Brown Larry Brutger Thomas A. Burlingame Sarah Burger Blaine J. Byram James Call, M.D. David Cameron Castaway s Resort Cenex Farmers Union Laurence Chamberlain Jeff Chatelle John Chejne Chilson Jewelers Citizens State Bank Clifton Larson Allen, LLP CN Construction, Inc. Coates Plaza Hotel Coca-Cola Bottling, Co. Coca-Cola Donald Collins Community Pride Bank William Cook Rick Corneliusen Clint Corrow Country Inn of Grand Rapids Crosslake Ready Mix Cub Foods, Baxter Kent Cummings D & M Industries Richard L. Dahl Dale Thortsen Trucking Dick Distributing Company Clay Diggins Kraig Domogalla James & Joann Dornhecker Dougs Supermarket, Inc. Duffney Refrigeration Duluth Teachers Credit Union Duluth Tire & Oil, Inc. Dave Paulson Construction Mike Dvorak Eaglemaster, Inc ECCO Water Echelon Wealth Partners Hugh D. Eisenmann, C.P. A. Joel A. Elftmann Elich Taxidermy Byron G. Ellingson Ely License Bureau Bob Eppen Larry & Marcia Erickson Craig Erpelding Terrence Ethen Tom Etienne Bob & Sheryl Evans Evergreen Implement First National Bank Of Bemidji First National Bank of Walker Paul Fischer Alan Fish Fletcher Lake Lodge Floors by Beckers Richard & Marianne Foldesi Harold J. Forpahl Gary M. Fox Frank s Taxidermy Barry Frieler Dean W. Fries Anthony Gabrio Todd Goenner Gerit Hanson Contracting Glen Store & Grill Glenmore Resort Goods Hosted Hunts North Country Gorilla Computer Support Jamie Gowdy Mike Grabow Grand Rapids Vet Clinic, D.M.D. Grand Rapids State Bank Andy M. Gross Robert L. Grussendorf Johan Gumaelius Richard Gunderson John Haesler Tony Halek Hampton Inn & Suites Harlan Fierstine Hayford Ford Bill Heig Heisel Brothers, Inc. Roderick J. Heneman Craig J. Heusinkveld Julie Sandstrom Hitchcox J. J. Hites Holiday Inn Hometown Building Supply Hoot & Holler Hoover Construction Horner Plumbing & Excavation Richard & Judi Huempfner Dennis Hummitzsch Hyytinen Hardware Craig Isaacson Insanti Custom Meats Isanti Sportsman s Club Itasca County Abstract J. Roessler And Company Corrine Jacobson D.Wayne Jacobson, Jr. D. Wayne Jacobson, Sr. D. Wayne Jacobson, III George O. Jacobson J-Berd Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Lee Jess, M.D. Jeffrey A. Johnson Earl N. Johnson Dave Johnson John Davis Construction Sam Johnson Jeffrey R. Jones Joslin & Moore Law Offices Donald G. Kaddatz Hans & Kristen Kaldahl Karl Manufacturing Solutions Kasella Concrete KD Service Co. LLC Ken K. Thompson Jewelry Ken Waschke Auto Plaza Michael Kimball KQ92 Kevin Kriesel Ted Krueger David Kufahl Paul A. Kuiken, M.D. Wayne Kuitunen Carl Kurtz L & M Supply Co. Joe Lahlum Lake State Federal Credit Union Lake Country Chevrolet Travis M. LaMar Al Lambert Jerry B. Lamon Landmark Community Bank Bill Lannon Brad Larsen Nick & Lacey M. Larson Mark & Michele Larson Doug & Ileen Lindner Gary & Betsy Loop Lumber One, Avon, Inc. Ted Nelson. Lundrigan George A. Lyall Barb Lyall Terry L. Lydell Harry Machesky Dan B. Mahle Brandon Mahle Bruce Mann Jim & Jan Marr Marvin Home Center Robert Marvin Don E. Matta 32

35 Terry Matteson Jan Mattson Johnson McCann McCollum s Hunting Preserve McDonald s Of Virginia Stuart McIntosh Todd A. Matelski Mechanical Brothers Mike Motors Miller Architects & Builders MN Wanner Co. MN Iron Range Retriever Club Jerry Moehnke Rolf Moen, D.D.S. Norm Moody Chan Moon Richard Moore Jack J. Muhar John Mundy Jeff Naglosky Bob Naylor Nelson Collie Electric James Ness Norri Distributing Co. Inc. North Country Heating/ Cooling/Refrigeration Northwood Lumber Northeast Title Northern Lumber Northern Automation, Inc. Dwaine (Butch) Ogden Bruce A. Ogle Keith & Missy Okeson Larry D. Olson Eric Scott Olson Ron Overson Darrel Palmer Paskvan Consulting, Inc. Paul Bunyan Communications Mark Pearl Thomas R. Peltier Bill Peltier Perpich TV And Music, Inc. Steven L. Peterson Peterson Sheet Metal, Inc. Bill Peterson Gavin Peterson William C. Pettit Pheasants Plus Pierce Concrete Ward Pierson Pineridge Grouse Camp Pine Shadows Inc. Pine Point Lodge Doug Pixley Pohaki Lumber Polar Insulating Potlatch Corp. Of Duluth Greg Proper Michele Putnam Quality Cutting And Coring John Quigley R & R Arms R. C. Weidner Doug J. Ralston Randy s Cabinets & Woodwork Range Disposal Service Rapids Plumbing And Heating, Inc. Ray s Sport & Marine Red Men Club, Inc. Reed Realty Abe Regier Richard Reichle Gary Reich Ritter Sewer & Excavating RJ Sport & Cycle Mike Robb Rocket Liquors Alex Roos Roseau County Ford Roseau Liquor Mike Rouse Jerry Ruuhela Ryan and Hoppe Inv. Management Safe Inc. Brett D. Salisbury Sand Pine Pheasants David D. Sandstrom Savanna Pallets, Inc Kurt Sawyer Schaefer s Foods Jim Schlotterback Jon A. Schmoeckel Bill Schroeder Mike Schuster Dan Schutt Security Fire Sprinkler Security State Bank Of Warroad Security State Bank And Agency Robert L. Seibert Duane Sellen Seven Clans Casino Shane Jaeger Sjoberg s Cable Roger Skraba Snet s Welding & Fabrication Matt Soberg Robert Sommerdorf Kirk Sorensen Jason R. Spaeth Frank Spaeth Springsteel Resort Starkovich Distributing Bill Stein Andrew J. Stoskopf Jeff & Angel Stradtmann Kurt G. Sundquist Sunny Hill Distributing, Inc. Super One Foods Surgical Solutions Dale Sutherland Pat Swenson Tall Pines Liquor Team Industries James Tehennepe The Landing The Wood Shop of Avon The Outdoorsman s Headquarters Jim S. Thorson Thrifty White Timberline Tony L. Peterson Construction Neil A. Travis Tri-Tec Of Minnesota Inc. Tri-County Abstract & Title Chuck Trosen Trustar Federal Credit Union Dean Tveit U. S. Bank Of St. Cloud Udovich Guide Service UPM/Blandin Paper Company Mike Vant Virginia Surplus Store Randy F. Wallake Warroad Body & Balance Warroad Estates Marina Warroad Ready Mix Waschke Family GM Center WA Fisher Weisinger Construction Mike Wheeler Andrew Wheeler Steve M. Wilcox Nicholas Wilcox Melissa Wilcox Noah Wilcox Wild Willy Walleye Guide Service Wild 102 Steve Wilds Steve Wilson Wings North Thomas Witty Steve Wruck Young s Bay Resort Kevin Zasmeta MISSOURI Doug Hill Stephen C. Jones Paul E. Martin John S. Meyer Scot Mikols Ralston Purina Co. Tom Schlafly NEW HAMPSHIRE William H. Collins John Duclos David E. Michno NEW JERSEY John Boyce Doug Brown Andrew Chirip John Cotte John Michael Danko John Funghini Jorge Matos Michael R. Riggs Ralph E. Shotwell Shotwell Excavating NEW YORK Eric Paul Affuso Jason T. Alexander Robert R. Andrews Jim Barbieri Joseph Baumler Walter J. Booth Scott Casey Charles G. Coakley Ira Conklin John Conolly Scott M. Cook Russ Cuatt John Richard Cunningham Hal Cunningham Louis DiGiovanni Bryan Eastman Brian Enders Steve Fazekas Jeff Foley Caryn Foote Brian Foster Albert Gehm Lawrence Giordano Leon T. Hairie Thomas Haskell James Hicks Richard P. Jung William P. Klaus William V. Krazinski, Jr. Kuritzky Glass Co., Inc. Labor Union 17 Edward M. Laury John Laury Peter Mack Perry L. Masotti Ted McEachron Brian Mihans Joseph John Milone, Jr. Ralph Morgan Ian Morrell John Mroczka Peter S. Paine, Jr. Robert Papworth Anthony Michael Pascale John A.. Patane Bill Perks Paul Phillips, M.D. Edward Pugliese James Racquet R. Randolph Rall Nicholas Ribaudo John Riccio Lenny Riedl Richard Rose Shane Russell John Sabach Joseph R. Scuderi Shutes Water Systems Joe Slavin Shawn Eugene Smith Joey St. Mary Marty Talcik Robert Vitkus Michael Walter Norman L. Webber, III NORTH CAROLINA Alan s Jewelry & Pawn Robert C. Bell, III Canton Sawmill Cooper s Trading, Inc. E. Shadowbrook Outdoors Neal Hanks Glenn Harvey Jewel Hill RE Services KBK Inc. Larry Z. Laughter Tom Mashburn Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Hickory, NC Jack Pittard Roberts Engineering and Consulting Scott Shealy Arnold C. Sheldon Banquet Sponsors List, continued on page 34 If any names were misprinted or omitted, please contact RGS and AWS at editor@ruffedgrousesociety.org. RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 33

36 Banquet Sponsors List, continued from page 33 Edwin Shuford Tennoca Construction, Co. Wings & Clays Guns NORTH DAKOTA Jeff & Susan Trnka OHIO John C. Albert Cliffs Natural Resources Colerain IGA Costine Law Firm David R. Custis, D.V.M. Bryan Daughtry Jim Galvin Buzz Gubany William S. Hanning, Jr. Robert James Hickle Rich Kolehmainen James D. Inbody John Kelley Louis F. Kutys Patrick J. Lamantia Dennis Lemond Mitchell Nahra Ronald Preston Randal L. Gallagher Memorials Rob & Bonny Vadas Foundation Rocky Boots St. Clairsville Eagles #2541 Superior Hardwoods Of Ohio, Inc. Toothman Funeral Homes, Inc. True Sportsman s Club Twin Oak Forest Products OREGON David M. Fuller PENNSYLVANIA 764 Auction A. Johnson s Sporting Goods Aca Engineering, Inc. Victor Alfieri, Jr. Allegheny Chapter Safari Club, Intl. Alpine Hunting & Fishing Club American Bridge Co John T. Armour Arm Group, Inc. Ralph W. Arthur, Jr. C. Thomas Baldrige Stephen Barnes Thomas A. Baum Beatty Lumber Bonny Beck Bedford County Beverage, Co. Bob Belinda Benedum Interests Bickel s Surplus William Biddle Big Buck Sport Shop Joseph E. Blackburn Bonasa, Inc Jim Bonetti Arthur R. Borrell Steve Botella Bowles Rice LLP BPU Investment Management Martin R. Brown Scott Larry Brush Mark Brzozowski Dennis Buday John Burch J. Conrad Bures, M.D. Ron & Amy Burkert William C. Burns, III Butch s Pro Shop David Campsey James (Jay) D. Carmichael Ernest & Linda Castello John C. Cave CED/Mosebach Electric Supply James P. Celebrezze Daniel R. Cerven Robert E. Chambers Charles Machine, Inc. CHL Development Corp. Jim Chuss Gabe Ciafre Robert B. Coleman Continental Design & Management Group Ron Coombs Jeff Coppes Cove Creek Outfitters John D. Crowley John J. Culkin, Jr. Marty & Dale Culp James D Antonio Delrose Construction Co. Mike Di Iola Frank Di Ioia James L. Dickey Nicholas DiCuccio Gerald Dittmann Dobber Auto Supply William Driscoll Geordie E. Edmiston Michael F. Ehrlich John B. Eichinger Doug Ell F. Tinker & Sons Falcon Wireless Group, Inc. Richard A. Faller Dominick Ferrara Kenneth Fetter Harold Ficke Richard Filippi Fisher Trucking Benjamin R. Fite Ronald G. Fite Thomas Flick Bill Freas William Freeman Frontiers International Travel Joseph Frydrych David L. Galbreath Gerald Putt Wildlife Artist Jeff Gilliland Edwin H. Gott, Jr. Ronald Gougher Tracy & Jeff Greene Gregg Scott Grice Gun Shop Emerson Gundy Michael Guyer David Haines Jeffrey B. Hammer HDR, Inc. Helsel Hardware David R. Henry Jason S. Herrington Hess & Marino, CPA Hi-Grade Shooters Supply Stan Hoover John M. Hopkins Mike Hosmer J. Upton Hudson Charles (Mickey) M. Hutchko I Diehl Hunts Imler s Poultry Joe R. Irwin James R. Kukurin Associates, Inc. James R. Jones Steve R. Jones Juniata Hotel Robert Kappe Frederick Kass Jake Kauffman Steve Kern Clarence E. Klaus, Jr. Trygve Kleppinger Steve D. Knezovich Rick Knipe John Alan. Kosky Jason Kronenwetter George W. Kruth Walter A. Kuzemchock Leese & Co. Inc. Lennon,Smith,Souleret Engineering, Inc. Steve Lesser Stephen B. Lieberman Russell L. Lucas Mahoning Valley Milling Co., Inc. Bob Majersky Sandee Male Mark M. Malicki, M.D. Marc R. Gignac & Gina Rooker Steve Marchand McCagh, Roberts & Herring Dermatology Ian McFarlane Don G. Mergenhagen Charles R. Minehart Paul Mirone Misty Pines Filson Pro Shop Suzanne Mohler Pete Molinaro David D. Moser Mountain Inn Michael L. Mulvihill Mummert Env Consulting Nemacolin Woodlands Thomas E. Noble Paul R. Ober Mike Odasso John C. Oliver, III Eugene Orlando, Jr. John Orr William Patsy James Patsy Nick Pazzaglia PGH Networks Timothy Pierce Pine Run Sportsman s Club Pitt Industrial Diamond Products Pittsburgh Equipment Co, Inc. Kenneth H. Popko Kent M. Quinter R. Hazenstab Construction, Inc. Doyle Rains Tom Rall Range Resources Jim Raschke Ed Razzis Ralph & Judy Readel Justin Reed Adam Reese Russell Reinhard Riversides Kennel, LLC Paul A. Rockar, Jr. Tim D. Romig Lisa & Sergio Rossi S. Drake Insurance, Inc. S. MYRIAD Communications, Inc. Hans Sack Walter J. Scanlon Seneca Resources Seneca Resources Sergio Tailoring Timothy J. Sherick Michael S. Shuman, D.M.D. Richard L. Shuman George L. Sidney Kenneth L. Simon William Simpson William L. Sipple, Jr. Brian W. Smith Thomas J. Sniscak Brandon Snyder Gordon E. Snyder, Jr. Larry & Dee Souleret Samuel W. Spanos George Spellman David J. Spigelmyer State Farm Insurance Stevens Engineers and Constructors, Inc. Stonycreek Shooting Center Peter Strope Richard L. Stroup Richard Stuebner Scott Sunderland Sunoco Logistics Brendan Surma Paul Sutter, Jr. Joseph J. Switala, Jr. Regis Synan Tech Sheet Metal, Inc. Tri-State Waterstoppers 34

37 Trophy Mountain Robert R. Turzillo Kurt Ulrich Blair W. Uminski United Rental Unity Printing Company, Inc. David Vadas Alex Vargo, Jr. Veronesi Bldg & Remodeling, Inc. Judd A. Wagner Todd Wagner Sean Warrington Warriors Mark Wingshooting Lodge Ronald Weigel Steve Weigel Dale C. Weisenstein Tami Wells Tim Wentz Donald J. Williams Dan W. Williams Dan Wingerter, Jr. Mark A. Wohler Wilbur E. Wolf, Jr. Russell C. Wood Marty Wood Steven Woods Wright Automotive Group Robert Wyche Paul M. Yatron Allen & Lori Yerger Joseph C. Zovko SOUTH CAROLINA Edwin L. Devilbiss David T. Schemm SOUTH DAKOTA Scott Ohnoutka TENNESSEE Adventure Guide Service Rick Brantley William H. Estes Clifford Hall C. Grant Murray Les Nation Parker R. Street David E. Wilson TEXAS Keith A. Ferguson Jordan Matthew Jayson Earl Moses Norman E. Nabhan VERMONT Michael Benoit Joe Bourgeois Scott Bowen Christina Incerpi & Randy Bean Warren Coleman Jim Dattilio Mary & Larry Dupont Steve Ellis Dennis Fournier Patrick M. Gavin Jeff W. Glosser Jamie Grey George Gross Mandy Hotchkiss Tyrel B. Kerr Ron & Barb Klein Stephen Leffler Paul Murphy Jeff Parker Peck Electric Robert Pelosi Jay & Crystal Pierce Roger Pinan Noah Place Henry E. Rackliff Matt Rackliff Frank Simms Sergio Tognelli Ugly Dog Hunting Edward Verosko Jim & Stephanie Wells Ron Wright VIRGINIA Stephen & Julia Abel John Ackerly Steve Allen Appalachian Forestry Services Jim Blakeney Donald G. Blankenship Justin Bostic Kenneth Bowman John C. Cabell Chris Cadman Barry L. Carpenter David E. Coleman Conservation Services Ronald Cowles E. Ken Lamb Tree Service Randy English Erie Insurance Group Darrel M. Feasel Kenneth Fuller John P. Gammill Randy Gibbs Mike Hawks William D. Heatwole Christopher Hewitt J.F.Fick, Inc. Wallace Johnson Rebecca Johnson Miles Johnston, Jr. Vance Joyner Charles E. Kent Ron W. Kokel KoKo Fit Club Roy F. Lambertson, III Rick Layser M. Null Masonry Ralph E. Main, Jr. Richard Mansfield, D.D.S Jim McCoy Joe McCue C. Grice McMullan, Jr. James F. Miller Harold U. Nash Larry E. Oder Lester J. Powlen, III Brad Rhodenizer Barney Rhodenizer Robert Ridings Tarn M. Rosenbaum Garry Pruitt Anthony Sakowski, Jr. Select Leaf Tobacco John T. Simpson, Jr. D. Middleton Smith, III Ted Snellings Sonny Merryman, Inc. Ken Staples Edward A. Strunk Richard Sturtevant Barry Sullivan Keith Thompson William E. Thornhill Waring J. Trible, Jr. Mike Valentine Virginia Eagle M. Gregory Weaver Jill Webb Wick Moorman Willow Landing Marina Richard Dean. Wilson Wilton Companies, Inc. Thomas S. Word, III WASHINGTON Dave Annon John T. Blatchford Kevin Clements Larry Clements Aaron Clements Doug Forsythe George M Joyner Rod A. McDonald William L. Neal Carl Nott Robert Olson Steve M. Parsons Joe Pauletto Daniel Sather John F. Sprada Leonard Tierney WEST VIRGINIA Briar Patch Farm Aaron Brown Columbia Forest Products Timothy Dawson Bruce & Dixie Edmond Matthew J. Edwards Robert Farance Franks Guns Ammo Pawn William Hagedorn Richard Haldeman Scott Hutson James B. Lantz James Lemons Walt A. Lesser Mountaineer Excavating Park Center Sporting Goods Harold L. Pickens Polly Anna Coal Paul Ridgely Bill Seaman James Michael Weeks WISCONSIN A. K & D Marine LLC William J. Abrahamson Ahlborn Equipment Thomas & Nicole Aidich John Anfinson ARC Inc. Aspen Glo Kennels Associated Bank Associated Sales & Leasing Joe Aumann B & B Trailers Donald R. Bachleitner Robert J. Baker Richard T. Balge David & Rachel Bartz Keith Bassage Robert E. Bealka John L. Bennett Bill Bennett James Benninger David Bertler Donald R. Betthauser Blaine Biedermann Jesse Biscoe Tony & Judy Blattler Robert Blersch Randy Bohon Michael C. Brennenstuhl Brown County Sportsman Club Robert Brumder Thomas Buening Bull s Eye Sport Shop Max Burgert Jim Burhop Timothy Callahan Camp 36 David D. Carl Todd M. Carlson Catura s Martial Arts Charter Bank Thomas Christman Richard Chronquist Club 13 Restaurant & Lounge Scott Collette Connor Forest Management Construction Risk Mngmnt And Safety Andrew E. Cook, II CoVantage Credit Union Custom Heating & Plumbing Dankar Kennels Dan s Feed Bin Dassler Sales Jerry Dassler Richard & Carol Degroot Delta Dental Thomas W. Dew, III Jere E. Dhein Seth Dizard Double M Chiropractic Dan Drost E.O. Johnson, Co. Ed s Concrete & Masonry Richard J. Eisenmann, C.L.U Elenco Carbide Tool Corp. Banquet Sponsors List, continued on page 36 If any names were misprinted or omitted, please contact RGS and AWS at editor@ruffedgrousesociety.org. RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report 35

38 Banquet Sponsors List, continued from page 35 Dustin Robert Elsbury Matthew D. Erickson Brian J. Fairbrother Faith Technologies Ferguson Enterprise Fifield Seed n Feed Store Ted Foley Cole Fouts Colin Fouts Fox Ridge Game Farm Gary & Joyce Frank Terry Frankland Jeff Franzmeier Mark Gatton Brandon Gilmore Giovanoni True Value Charles M. Glasso Great Northern Corp Gronks Grill & Bar Jerry Gross Jason Gruszymski Paul Hagemann, D.D.S. Dennis Haglund Trentan Hake Peter J. Hansen John Hasler James Hayett Robert W. Hellyer Scott Henrich Rick Hermanson Holden Insurance Dan & Bonnie Holl Henry G.. Horneck Lyle Huhn Ides Guides Bob Imm Industrial Fluid Solutions J. Schaefer Enterprises, Inc. Jeff Jackson Mark Jacobson Jim James Jack C. Jarvis Greg Johnson David Johnson Chad Johnson Jeff A. Kaiser Mitch Kane Lynn A. Kirsteatter Brian Klein Joe Klein Koenig s Conservation Club, Inc. Joe Korte Mark Josh Kraemer Bob C. Krause Dave Krause David D. Krommenacker William J. Kunde, D.V.M. Landmark Landscapes Inc Dave Larson Lee Ayers Jewelers Christopher J. Leffler Dave Lenz Jackie Leonhard Joe Letko Dennis A. Liska, Jr. Dennis A. Liska, Sr. Dean Little Jon Long Dave C. Lukaszewski Maple Ridge Dental Robin Marohn Randy Mayes Brent K. McFarland Pat McLaughlin Robert W. Meddaugh, D.D.S.S.C. Merit Electric Service James Michna Jason Miller Mittens Home Appliance Roger C. Mixter, M.D. William Moir Joshua Morby William Morris Motor Sport Marine Joe Neerdaels Bob Nelson Damien Newlin Haskell Noyes Northwoods Supper Club Daniel Novitch Edward R. Nowak Andy Olander Treavor Oleson Dan Ongna Opelt Sand & Gravel Michael R. Palmisano Lynn F. Parsons Robert Parsons Paul & Michelle Williams Peoples Bank Midwest Kenneth Petersen, Jr. William Peter Ponssee NA Inc. Power Pac Sports Prairie Rapids Tavern Mark A. Prochazka RC Heating & Cooling Dave Reardon Kasey A. Reed Ronald Rellatz Rhinelander GM Bob Ross Ross s Sport Shop & Guide Service Brian D. Ruechel Rural Insurance Milt M. Rusch Dave Russell Saratoga Liquor Jim Sarkauskas Steve Sash Dave J. Schlitz Ronald Schmidt John E. Schroeder James E. Schuettpelz Schuster-Campman Abstract Title Co. Bobby E. Schutz Tony J. Schutz David A. Schwabe Michael Schwabe Dan L. Sedlock Mike Senn Girard Senn Sentry Insurance Paul E. Seul Mark Shipley Short Lane Ag supply, LLC Jim & Kathy Shurts Snowgoose Inc. & Dairy Queen Jim & Jeanne Soukup Michael J. Specht Jill Spenningsby Spoerl Holdings LLC SRC Services Steigerwaldt Land Services Leon D. Stenz Dale R. Stewart Stodola Accounting and Tax Service Stan Strub Superior Beverages Ltd Superior Animal Hospital & Boarding Suites Superior Shooters Supply Dave Swanson James & Rose Teal Craig L. Tennies Gerald Thiede Tom Dailing Design Toy Box Charters Charles Trainer John Trzesniewski, Sr. Nick A. Tseffos Ken & Mary Jo Tuckwell W. B. Sonny Johnson Brad A. Wagner Bill Wanie Michael Waugus Timothy Wendt Brian K. Werner Karl H. Wesener Whitetail Inn Whitetails Unlimited Of Marshfield William (Chip) Whitsitt, III Pete Wilke Michael Williams Jeffrey Williams Williams Concrete Construction LLC Wissota Sand & Gravel Wuethrich Foundation David C. Wunrow Young Plumbing Jim Zepaltas Gary & Olivia Zimmer Karl J. Zore John Jeffrey Zuiker Mark Zuiker AWS BANQUET SPONSORS LOUISIANA Ricky J. Guilbeaux Harold A. Loyacano, Jr. Michael W. Olinde Stephen Rene Pellessier Timmy Trahan Reilly C. Trahan MICHIGAN Justin McGrail John H. Paige OHIO James D. Inbody Rich Kolehmainen Talmer Bank & Trust Rob & Bonny Vadas Foundation If any names were misprinted or omitted, please contact RGS and AWS at editor@ruffedgrousesociety.org. 36

39 Habitat Creation RGS AWS Onward and Upward in 2017 In 2017, RGS and AWS will continue to be the leaders in young forest habitat management. RGS and AWS are the voice for young forests through aggressive efforts to create healthy forests for the benefit of ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife. This includes continuing to monitor and influence the Petition for Rulemaking with the U.S. Forest Service, being the go to entity in Congress for information about young forest habitat, creating innovative funding sources through the organization s development and grant-writing program, continued enhancement of agency and landowner relationships by biologists to advance young forest habitat efforts across the nation and increased chapters and member involvement with benefitting wildlife through their hard work and dedication to the mission, among many other important efforts. Your dedication to RGS and AWS supports America s leaders in forest conservation. Membership Growth Without our members, there is no RGS and AWS! Members allow RGS and AWS to have a bigger voice to influence legislation, policy and public education that affects the future of our healthy forests, abundant wildlife and sporting traditions. RGS and AWS will strive to increase that voice through membership initiatives and technology that advocate for young forests, grouse, woodcock and hunting to the next generation of hunters and conservationists. Regional directors will continue to provide a chapter presence, membership opportunities and new supporters nationwide. Society events provide perfect venues for supporters to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow hunters and conservationists, those interested in preserving our legacy of sporting traditions for future generations. Investing in members is essential, because without our members, there is no organization. Communications and Outreach RGS and AWS must be the leaders in comprehensive communications to members and the public that promote our mission to create healthy forests for abundant wildlife and preserve our sporting traditions for future generations. This includes informing and engaging existing members while also educating the public on critical issues regarding the public perception of forest management and hunting. A clear, effective and consistent message is key. The RGS and AWS will focus attention on conveying this message through all channels including the staff communications, Ruffed Grouse Society magazine, website, the Grouse Camp Tour, s, social media, video, educational materials and other communications. If we are clear, consistent and coordinated in the way we communicate, we will be much more effective in improving the decision-making environment for creating healthy forests, abundant wildlife and preserving our sporting traditions.

40 451 McCormick Road / Coraopolis, PA / JOIN-RGS (toll free) RGS@ruffedgrousesociety.org / Photos from the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour in the Southern Appalachian Region