Air temperature on these ridges was warmer than below due to warm air inversion. They also stated that ruffed grouse inhabiting edge communities do not live as long as those inhabiting uniform habitats. Ruffed grouse here distribute themselves throughout all cover types, except open habitats. Pure conifer types are not very important as cover.
Quaking aspen is the primary food of ruffed grouse throughout most of their range.
Vegetative and flower buds are the primary winter and spring foods of the ruffed grouse. Ruffed grouse also eat the fruits, nuts, twigs, leaves, and flowers of a variety of shrub, forb, grass, and tree species. He stressed the importance of maintaining male aspen clones and recommended cutting aspen at 40 to 60 years of age.