Ruffed Retreats: Michigan Upland Utopia for New Upland Hunters

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Michigan Grouse Enhanced Management Sites (GEMS) program. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Upland Game Bird Specialist Adam Bump says the GEMS program’s main goal has been providing easy access for those wanting to try upland hunting before investing fully in the sport and searching out other locations.

Habitat is crucial for grouse, and Michigan’s GEMS deliver. Bump says the MDNR inventories and sets timber harvest strategies on 10 percent of state forest land each year, including GEMS. Every stand on state forest land is evaluated, and prescriptions are set once every 10 years, but some GEMS are harvested on an accelerated schedule. Exactly how this looks varies, but the goal is increasing the acreage of aspen that is prime grouse habitat and increasing the mix of young and older-aged stands, as grouse thrive in mixed environments. Good habitat pairs with trail systems planted with clover and other food sources.

A COUPLE OF GEMS

There are 19 properties enrolled in the GEMS program, including two in the Upper Peninsula about 30 miles apart: Bill Rollo Memorial GEMS, a little south of Gwinn, and Ralph GEMS, just west of Ralph.

The Bill Rollo Memorial GEMS contains 18 miles of hunter walking trails and has good county road access and pristine rivers and streams. Habitat projects—like clear-cutting, edge creation and trail building—yield great alternative food sources. Fruit crops flourish near the edges, trails are seeded with clover and attract grouse in search of insects and mature trees that produce mast crops are left in place. The area’s kiosk (coordinates: 46.1878, -87.5170) has an informational board and map with regulations info. However, you’ll want to hunt a good distance from this area, as much foot traffic originates here.

The Ralph GEMS has 17 miles of trails on state land with thousands of acres of aspen. Seasonally maintained county roads make access easy. Its northern boundary skirts the majestic North Branch of the Ford River, and the rolling hardwoods offer great hunting and views. The area has two kiosks (coordinates: 46.1107, -87.8407 and 46.1253, -87.8041).

GET AFTER THE GROUSE

Hunting is often great from the season opener on Sept. 15 until firearms deer season kicks off Nov. 15. In September, grouse broods can be found along trails eating clover, wild strawberries and grasshoppers. Another hunting peak occurs in mid-October when leaves fall. Odds of seeing flushing grouse increase, and ruffs will concentrate near fruits (crabapples, thorn apples, wild grapes, rose hips and dogwood) and mast crops (acorns, hickory nuts and beechnuts) often found in the now more open coverts.

Woodcock season also starts Sept. 15, and hunting remains good until it closes on Oct. 29. Early on, many locally raised timberdoodles use the GEMS, and after a few frosty nights the region sees an influx of migratory birds. All woodcock hunters must obtain a free woodcock stamp.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

Try a pasty in the U.P. A kind of meat pie, pasties were a staple of Cornish and Finnish miners. Every small U.P. town has a bakery or store offering authentic pasties. The only question is: ketchup or gravy?

Where to Hunt

Bill Rollo Memorial GEMS

• Size: 5,000 acres
• Location: Marquette County, Mich.
• Seasons & Regs: michigan.gov/dnr

Ralph GEMS

• Size: 5,350 acres
• Location: Dickinson County, Mich.
• Seasons & Regs: michigan.gov/dnr

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• This article was featured in the 2024 issue of Public Land Hunter magazine.

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