Gogebic County receives $9,200 in habitat grant

BESSEMER — The Gogebic Conservation District, working with the Gogebic County Forestry and Parks Commission and the Superior Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society, has been awarded a $9,200 Drummer Fund grant.

The money comes from the national Ruffed Grouse Society.

The project, in the Gogebic County Forest south of Bessemer, has two aims, according to Jim Finley, GCS Administrator.

“One is to maintain and improve six miles of hunter walking trails and wildlife openings in the Mosinee Grouse Enhanced Management System tract near the junction of the Mosinee Grade and County 519.

“These trails will be mowed to discourage shrub and tree growth. In places, the food plots will be reseeded with nutritious perennial plants that feed many animals,” Finley said.

“The second aim is to renew three miles of trails and wildlife openings in the Ketola Grade trail system by disking and seeding.

“These trails, constructed in 1994, are being overrun by tree and shrub growth, diminishing their use as walking trails,” he said.

The Superior Chapter of the RGS will plant native shrubs along the trails to provide food for grouse and other wildlife.

According to Greg Ryskey, Gogebic County Forester, the two areas provide habitat for grouse, woodcock, turkey, deer and other wildlife species.

“The surrounding forest includes aspen stands of various ages, northern hardwoods, conifer cover, wildlife openings and expansive trail systems that allow hunters and wildlife viewers easy access to take advantage of the opportunities this land offers.

“As a result, the two trail systems are destination sites for hunting and wildlife viewing in Gogebic County,” Finley said.

“We’re fortunate Gogebic County had the foresight to establish such a forest resource (the county forest comprises more than 50,000 acres,)

“With professional management, it generates significant revenue for the county year after year, and provides real opportunities to develop important recreational resources for the community and visitors,” Ryskey said.

“We’ve done a lot of work in this area to improve grouse and deer habitat, and have had great partners in the Superior chapter and the conservation district to make it happen,” Ryskey said.