To create good habitat for ruffed grouse, there should be at least 12,000 aspen root suckers per acre following a harvest. Each 40 acres of aspen should be divided into four cutting blocks of 10 acres each. Clearcut these blocks at staggered 10 year intervals. Cut the blocks on the south side first in order to decrease shade on the northern blocks when they are later cut. This cutting pattern will create a mix of age classes ranging from a recently harvested stand to a 40 year old stand. An even higher density grouse population can be encouraged if cutting blocks are reduced in size from 10 acres to 2 1/2 acres.