Three blocks of the Douglas County Forest are designated as Special Grouse Management Areas. Enrolled in the Ruffed Grouse Society’s Special Management Area Program, they include:
Spruce River (18,200 Acres)
Poplar River (1,700 Acres)
Empire Grade (8,200 Acres)
Management Objectives
Management objectives for each area are to enhance habitat for ruffed grouse and woodcock by:
Maintaining and expanding aspen and oak acreage
Establishing harvest areas of varying sizes and with irregular boundaries to maximize the creation of forest edge
Discouraging encroachment by coniferous species in to the aspen and oak types
Creating and maintaining structural and age class diversity in the aspen and oak types