ADVERTISEMENTIn April and May, field staff drive rural roads in sectors of the state where ruffed grouse are found. A male ruffed grouse may momentarily pause its drumming when disturbed, perhaps by the approach of a potential predator. Still, it seems this survey technique is the best tool biologists have for estimating relative ruffed grouse abundance. Conversely, when the ruffed grouse and waterfowl surveys are done earlier in the year, nesting-related and “just-hatched” dangers still lie ahead. Experienced hunters know that in the best of times, or in the worst of times, there is variability in game abundance from one place to another.