Famed Minnesota ruffed grouse researcher Gordy Gullion was honored this week as officials dedicated a new ruffed grouse informational kiosk at Mille Lacs Wildlife Management Area near Onamia. The kiosk in front of the area's headquarters gives an overview of Gullion's ruffed grouse research and explains the importance of habitat to the bird's lifecycle. "Gullion was a world-renowned researcher whose work at Mille Lacs has helped sustain Minnesota as one of the top grouse hunting destination in the country," DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten (shown above at the site) said in a statement. "His work was instrumental in developing forest management practices that benefit ruffed grouse." Gullion, a University of Minnesota professor, headed the forestry wildlife project at the Cloquet Forestry Center for 32 years. His research, much of conducted in the 39,000 acre Mille Lacs WMA, clearly identified the influence of specific habitat components, especially aspen, on grouse. Since 1949, Mille Lacs has served as a flagship WMA. For many people, particularly in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, it's the first place they are introduced to Minnesota's forests and grouse hunting. More than 60 percent of its users are from the metropolitan area. The Ruffed Grouse Society received a grant from Federal Cartridge Co. for the kiosk. Representatives from RGS, Federal and the DNR attended the dedication.
