Grouse Numbers Down

(AP)  There might not be as much autumn thunder for ruffed grouse hunters this fall.  The DNR says spring drumming counts are down.

Research scientist Mike Larson says it appears 2009 was probably the peak in the grouse 10 year population cycle.  Still, he says t he drumming counts this past spring were closer to the high end of the cycle, rather than the low end. 

Minnesota often is the nation's top producer of ruffed grouse.