Golden-Winged Warbler Initiative - National Wild Turkey Federation

ideal ruffed grouse nesting
and feeding areas and the
patches required by goldenwings
are large enough to
attract and support grouse.
Sprinkling patches of young
forest around in mature
woods could potentially
help ruffed grouse
numbers increase.
Forty to fifty years ago
(unfortunately I am old
enough to remember
that far back) grouse
were plentiful in coverts
in the Poconos and what
is now mature forest
in the Pennsylvania
Wilds. As our forests
matured and fewer
old fields and young
forest was available,
grouse numbers began
to decline in parts
of the state. Active
management of our
forests can have a
positive impact on
grouse and woodcock
populations improving
hunting for upland
hunters who love to
pursue these game
birds. This new initiative
has given the NWTF an
opportunity to help other
game birds by improving
upland habitat. That of course
is right on target with our
conservation mission and our
goal of preserving our hunting
tradition.
If the advantages for wild
turkeys, woodcock and ruffed
grouse were not enough to
give credibility to this initiative
in the eyes of dyed in the
wool hunters, young forest
is also preferred habitat for
white-tails. The young forest
preferred by golden-wings is
excellent escape cover and
foraging areas for deer. So if
we are successful at finding
landowners who would like
to assist in developing better
habitat for golden-winged
warblers, the benefits reach
far beyond these little world
travelers. Golden-wings spend
the spring and summer in the
eastern United States and fly
to Central and South America
for the winter. The habitat
they need for just two seasons
of their year will be available
to our non-migratory game
species in all four seasons. It’s a
win-win situation.
In order to be successful
we need your help. If you own
property in any of the counties
where golden-wings are found
your land might be suitable for
habitat work. Evaluating the
area and developing habitat
management plans specific to
golden-winged warbler young
The most productive habitat sites have a few mature trees,
a number of saplings and shrubs and patches herbaceous cover
like goldenrod and blackberry brambles per acre.
panwtf.org
forest habitat can be done
by NWTF biologists at no
cost to the landowner. This
process will involve a site
visit and plan preparation
by the biologist. If the site is
acceptable habitat work
could be completed on a
cost share basis with the
NRCS paying most of
the freight. Depending
on the situation the
landowner’s share
might be covered by
any timber harvest
necessary to create the
right conditions for
developing golden-wing
habitat. After the NWTF
biologist develops a plan
the landowner will need
to apply to the NRCS
to secure funding. That
process involves visiting
the NRCS office and
completing the required
forms.
If you own land, have
friends that own land,
belong to a hunting
clubs that owns land or
know any landowners
who might be interested
in taking advantage of this
opportunity, please contact
the NWTF biologists working
in Pennsylvania. There are
two NWTF project biologists
and one NWTF regional
biologist available to assist
through the Working Lands
For Wildlife Golden-winged
Warbler Initiative. Our
contact information can be
found on the NWTF website
or the Pennsylvania Chapter
website. Brochures on the
Golden-winged Warbler
Initiative containing our
contact information are also
available at Natural Resource
Conservation Service offices.
Remember that there is no
cost for the consultation and
plan development. This is a
great chance to be involved
in a major conservation effort
that will benefit a wide range
of wildlife species!
Winter 2013 Turkey Talk
7