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By Rick Horton
July 1, 2002
While this past winter was considered mild for humans, it was tough on ruffed grouse. Grouse hide under deep snow to stay warm and evade predators. Since we had essentially no good roosting snow, experts anticipated a continued decline in grouse numbers. They were not disappointed. The Minnesota DNR Division of Wildlife recently released the ruffed grouse spring drumming survey results. As expected, the data shows another year of declining populations and suggests that grouse are at or near their cyclic low. The North-Central Zone dropped 9% to 1.0 drums per stop (d/s), the Northwest declined 8% to 1.2 d/s, and Central Hardwoods dropped 14% to 0.6 d/s. Drumming remained stable in the Southeast (0.4 drums/stop) and Northeast (0.6 d/s). Overall, the average statewide index declined 11% to 0.8 drums per stop, which is comparable to past cyclic lows.
If past trends are an indication, we should see the cycle reverse and populations recover in the next couple of years. Good spring weather during the hatching and early brood-rearing period is important to the recovery. Most of the state had cool, but dry conditions in May and early June. However, the torrential June rains in the northwestern portion of the state could negatively effect some grouse and woodcock production. At this point, only time will tell.
The availability of good brood-rearing habitat helps determine local grouse and woodcock abundance. These birds, and many songbirds, rear their young in dense regenerating aspen stands because of the protection they afford from predators. Truly dense stands are created by clearcutting old aspen stands and allowing full sun to hit the forest floor. The shade from standing live trees impedes aspen shoot development and results in an open, patchy regenerating stand. Unfortunately, with few exceptions there have been no true clearcuts performed on public lands in Minnesota for years. As a result, the habitat needs of an entire suite of young forest dependant wild animals are not being adequately met on many of our public lands.
The DNR has done a great job of compiling grouse population data over the past 53 years. If the cycle follows its historic pattern, Minnesota's 130,000+ grouse hunters can once again look forward toÊenjoying some of the most tremendous upland bird hunting in the country in the near future.
Rick Horton
Forest Wildlife Biologist
Ruffed Grouse Society
Ruffed and sharp-tailed grouse numbers drop (2002-06-26)
MN DNR PRESS RELEASE
For more information, contact John Erb, DNR Forest Wildlife Populations and Research, Grand Rapids, (218) 327-4130, or DNR Information Officer Tom Conroy, (651) 296-0795.
As predicted, Minnesota's ruffed grouse numbers declined for the third consecutive year, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Statewide, drumming counts were down 11 percent compared with 2001. The northwest, north and central hardwoods regions all showed similar declines of 8 percent, 9 percent and 14 percent respectively. The northeast and southeast zones remained stable.
DNR wildlife biologists attribute the decline to the ruffed grouse's 10-year population cycle, which they have tracked for half a century. The 2002 grouse survey monitored the number of drumming male ruffed grouse heard on 133 routes throughout the species' Minnesota range.
The ruffed grouse population cycle is likely at or approaching the cyclic low, according to John Erb, DNR wildlife research biologist in Grand Rapids.
"We will likely see a rebound in grouse numbers in the next couple of years," Erb said, "but despite the decline, there still should be some reasonable grouse hunting in much of the grouse range this fall."
Minnesota continues as a leader in grouse hunting opportunities, with cyclic population lows often exceeding grouse peaks in other regions. The ruffed grouse's 10-year population cycle occurs naturally. However, hunters have helped enhance populations overall through hunting fees that help fund DNR habitat programs, which provide the birds with improved food and cover. One such program is cooperative work between DNR wildlife managers and foresters to increase grouse habitat on timber sales of state forest land.
SHARP-TAILED GROUSE NUMBERS DROP
Sharp-tailed grouse numbers declined slightly in both the northwest and east-central parts of their range, Erb reported. Observers looking for male sharptails dancing on the bird's traditional mating areas, called leks, noted 13 percent fewer in the east-central range and 10 percent fewer in the northwest range.
Over the past 15 years, sharptail ups and downs have mirrored the cyclic fluctuations in ruffed grouse. However, superimposed on these periodic changes, sharptail populations appear to have declined over the long haul as a result of habitat deterioration. In recent years, the DNR has increased prescribed burning and shearing that keeps trees from overtaking the open brushlands that sharp-tailed grouse need to survive.
Snowshoe hares are also counted on grouse survey routes. Their numbers appear to be at or passing a modest peak in abundance, Erb noted. Snowshoe hares also cycle on an approximate 10-year cycle. A cyclic downturn in hare numbers is expected over the next several years.
Ruffed and sharp-tailed grouse surveys are conducted each spring by DNR Wildlife Division staff and other cooperators. This spring, ruffed grouse drumming routes were completed by cooperators including staff from the DNR Wildlife Division, Chippewa and Superior national forests, Tamarac and Agassiz national wildlife refuges, Vermillion College, Central Lakes College, land departments of Cass and Beltrami counties, Blandin Paper Co., 1854 Authority, numerous volunteers, and the Fond du Lac, White Earth, Leech Lake, Red Lake and Mille Lacs Indian bands.
Sharptail dancing ground counts were conducted by staff and volunteers from the DNR Wildlife Division and the Agassiz and Rice Lake national wildlife refuges.
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