The aerial photos of property our Club members own in Wyoming Co., plus vast amounts of land surrounding us, post WW II was largely open field with some pockets of trees and brush. My understanding was the land was Ag land, to the extent that it was developed back then. Old timers remember hunting grouse quite successfully for years, then trees slowly took over and now the land is largely trees, with little habitat for grouse and poor habitat for deer and turkey.
We have harvested mature trees in the recent past for the cash, but also to keep some balance with the tree growth, but not enough for favorable habitat, allowing grouse and deer to stick around.
Sorry to hear about NJ grouse situation. I like trees, but a proper thinning can help. Agenda driven people will probably never allow tree harvests to help out wildlife.