The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) says members should not panic, but it is hard to sit by and watch the partridge season whittled away. And some say for no good reason. According to the Bangor Daily News, a petition-driven initiative sent to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW ) by parties in Washington and Aroostook counties seek to limit Maine’s ruffed grouse season by eliminating the December season. Those responsible for the petition hope to boost the lagging grouse numbers in the state by limiting the birds kill in December. Sounds like a plan but according to wildlife biologists its not the winter that has a major impact on the grouse population it’s the spring when the hatch is on. A wet and cold spring wreaks havoc with nesting grouse as well as turkey. In years past the season closure was the end of November. The December closure was instituted about a decage ago. Some blogs like Maine Hunting Today say if changes in the season are to be considered lets make changes that will have a positive effect on grouse populations; ending the December hunt will have no effect at all. RGS has called for a “cautious approach by hunters and wildlife managers.” Public hearings will be held in Calais on June 12, in Presque Isle on June 27, and Farmington on July 18. For details on the hearings go to the MEIFW website.