North Dakota
Hunters and birdwatchers to expect fewer grouse sightings this year
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Grouse are in style amongst hunters and birdwatchers alike, however grouse numbers in North Dakota are down.
The spring survey put out by North Dakota Recreation and Fish upland recreation biologists reviews that sharp-tailed grouse decreased 13% in comparison with final yr. Greater than 2,500 sharp-tailed grouse have been noticed on their spring dancing grounds throughout the state.
Lately, North Dakota’s native sage grouse populations have been battling fragmented habitat. The habitat has been decreased by about 40 p.c since 1950 in North Dakota.
Biologists depend the males as an indicator of inhabitants and report that they’re right down to 14 males throughout the state and are discovered on just one lek — down from 22 final yr on six leks. The low inhabitants prevents searching of North Dakota’s sage grouse.
Biologists say final yr’s drought and this yr’s April snowstorms impacted the populations.
The excellent news is ruffled grouse numbers have risen within the Turtle Mountains.
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