Ruffed grouse counts decline

[Scott M]

DNR News Release

June 25, 2012

Minnesota’s ruffed grouse spring drumming counts were lower than last year across most of the bird’s range, according to a survey conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Compared with drumming counts conducted in 2011, 2012 survey results showed an average decline of 24 to 60 percent, to 1.1 drums per stop, in the northeast survey region, which is the core and bulk of grouse range in Minnesota. Drumming counts in the northwest declined 33 to 73 percent to 0.9 drums per stop. Drumming counts did not change significantly in the central hardwoods or southeast, which had averages of 0.6 and 0.7 drums per stop, respectively.

“The grouse population is in the declining phase of its 10-year cycle,” said Mike Larson, DNR wildlife research group leader and grouse biologist. “The most recent peak in drum counts was during 2009, but hunter harvests remained relatively high through at least 2010.”

Ruffed grouse populations, which tend to rise and fall on a 10-year cycle, are surveyed by counting the number of male ruffed grouse heard drumming on established routes throughout the state’s forested regions. This year observers recorded 1.0 drums per stop statewide. The averages during 2010 and 2011 were 1.5 and 1.7 drums per stop, respectively. Counts vary from about 0.8 drums per stop during years of low grouse abundance to about 1.9 during years of high abundance.

Drumming counts are an indicator of the ruffed grouse breeding population. The number of birds present during the fall hunting season also depends upon nesting success and chick survival during the spring and summer.

Minnesota frequently is the nation’s top ruffed grouse producer. On average, 115,000 hunters harvest 545,000 ruffed grouse in Minnesota each year, also making it the state’s most popular game bird. During the peak years of 1971 and 1989, hunters harvested more than 1 million ruffed grouse. Michigan and Wisconsin, which frequently field more hunters than Minnesota, round out the top three states in ruffed grouse harvest.

One reason for the Minnesota’s status as a top grouse producer is an abundance of aspen and other ruffed grouse habitat, much of it located on county, state and national forests, where public hunting is allowed. An estimated 11.5 million of the state’s 16.3 million acres of forest are grouse habitat.

For the past 63 years, DNR biologists have monitored ruffed grouse populations. This year, DNR staff and cooperators from 15 organizations surveyed 126 routes across the state.

Sharp-tailed grouse counts decrease slightly

Sharp-tailed grouse counts in the northwest survey region decreased approximately 18 percent between 2011 and 2012, Larson said. Counts in the east-central region declined approximately 33 percent.

Observers look for male sharptails displaying on traditional mating areas, called leks or dancing grounds. Despite three years of declines, this year’s statewide average of 9.2 grouse counted per dancing ground was similar to the long-term average since 1980. The 2009 average of 13.6 was as high as during any year since 1980. During the last 25 years, the sharp-tailed grouse index has been as low as seven birds counted per dancing ground.

Overall, sharptail populations appear to have declined over the long term as a result of habitat deterioration. In recent years, the DNR has increased prescribed burning and shearing that keep trees from overtaking the open brush lands that sharp-tailed grouse need to thrive.

The DNR’s 2012 grouse survey report, which contains information on ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse, will be available soon online at www.mndnr.gov/hunting/grouse.

[Scott M]

It wasn't unexpected, but it's still higher than average. I'll be walking high or low, but I like to enjoy the hunt when the population is going into and coming out of a peak.

[vman11]

We actually came across 3 different broods in Beltrami Island State Forest this Saturday afternoon - one brood had 3 chicks and another 13. I don't have enough experience out there to know if that was normal or not, but it was encouraging to see some hens with their chicks.

[tacklejunkie]

How much affect does the early, mild spring have on the survey?

[TylerS]

Well, it had to happen sometime! That said, I still think there will be plenty of birds to make a weekend foray enjoyable. Of course, I'm a tad biased: I'll hunt the king whether he's in record highs or lows. Just something about those October days in the Iron Range that I can't get enough of.

[lichen fox]

Here's the reports from the Norris Camp newsletter...

Survey Results:

Ruffed Grouse

Ruffed grouse drumming survey results in the Red Lake work area were way down from last year. This year’s counts were the third lowest on record dating back to 1962. The only years with a lower average drum count among our 6 survey routes were 1983 and 1973 where drum counts averaged 0.3 and 0.5 drums per stop, respectively. In comparison, this year’s drum counts averaged 0.8 drums per stop, a nearly 76% drop from last year, which averaged 3.3 drums per stop. This is a big drop from our record highs of 2009 where we recorded an average 6.5 drums per stop.

The decline itself is not unexpected since we were in the downhill portion of the ruffed grouse cycle. However, the relative rate of the drop is more accelerated than we normally see. Possible reasons may include the sparse snow cover we had this past winter resulting in poor over-winter survival. Poor snow cover could have resulted in higher predations rates along with poor thermal cover. Hopefully the drier conditions this spring and early summer will result in good nesting success and high brood survival.

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Our sharp-tailed grouse lek surveys also indicated numbers were down, albeit not as drastic as the ruffed grouse surveys. We surveyed a total 16 leks and counted a total of 97 birds. This compares to 127 birds counted across the same number of leks in 2011- resulting in a 24% decline. We counted birds at one new dancing ground this year and also dropped a dancing ground from our survey. Sharp-tailed grouse are dependent on open grasslands and brushland habitat. As we see more conversion of grasslands for agricultural purposes, we may see a continued decline in their numbers. We continue to conduct prescribed burns and shearing projects to maintain grass and brushland habitats.

Woodcock

Keeping the best for last, our woodcock survey results are still at historic highs. In 2011 we heard a total of 24 singing males on our survey routes which were the most ever recorded here at Norris Camp. This year’s numbers were slightly down with 20 singing males, but this was still the second highest number ever recorded on our survey. The woodcock in this area seem to be bucking the national trend which appears to be in continued decline over the past 40 years. The alder and willow shearing projects and aspen harvest occurring around the Red Lake WMA area likely contribute to this localized success of woodcock.

[tacklejunkie]

Yesterday, I saw a hen along the road so I let my lab pup out to flush her and a ton of babies also flushed from the grass. My guess is drumming numbers are down, the cycle is on the decline, but we will see a good number of young birds

[GSP4ME]

glad to hear that. I have a new pointer I pick up next week and cant wait