Originally Posted by
NyFirefighter357
Predators are a part of the problem but not because there are too many, it's because of the loss of habitat leave grouse or any other upland game more exposed to them. If the ground cover isn't thick enough they are more exposed during nesting, if the food isn't plentiful they have to travel further in less cover exposing them to more predation. If the habitat isn't good the success rate of nesting lowers and the chance of raising a brood to adulthood is lower. The better the habitat, the more an area can provide food & cover the more chicks you end up getting to adulthood, the more that reach adulthood the more can breed the following year. I have to go, I'll come back this later today.