Daily movement and habitat utilization of ruffed grouse in the Cherokee National Forest

Daily movements and habitat utilization of 7 radio-telemetered ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) were studied on 2 study units of the Tellico Ranger District in the Cherokee National Forest, Monroe County, Tennessee. The study was a segment of an effort initiated in 1984 to determine effects of forestry practices on grouse populations in the southern Appalachians. The objectives of this portion of the study were to: (1) measure daily movement rates and habitat utilization of ruffed grouse, (2) relate rate of movement to hour, season, and weather patterns, including temperature, precipitation, and cloud cover, and (3) determine effects of hour, month, and weather conditions, including temperature, precipitation, and cloud cover on habitat utilization. The major hypotheses tested were: (1) that weather, time, and season affect grouse movement rates, and (2) that weather, time and season affect habitat utilization. Movement was depressed by high and low temperatures and heavy cloud cover. Utilization of vegetative cover, slope aspect, position on the slope, roads and clearcut edges differed at different seasons, day periods, and weather conditions.