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Saturday, June 25, 2005
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Grouse counts unchanged from last year
Results from the spring ruffed grouse drumming count survey show that numbers are unchanged from last year.
Many hunters hoped this year's count would show an upswing in the grouse population, which rises and falls in an approximate 10-year cycle. But counts have been low for five straight years.
"We're looking at this carefully, but we're not alarmed," said Mike Larson, DNR wildlife research biologist. "Similar four- to five-year periods of relatively low drum counts have occurred as recently as the early 1980s."
Grouse populations are surveyed by counting the number of male grouse heard drumming on established routes throughout the bird's range. This year surveyors recorded an average of 0.8 drums per stop statewide -- identical to last year's average. During years of high grouse abundance averages of 1.8 to 2.0 drums per stop are typical.
Weather this spring and summer could determine this fall's hunting outlook, Larson said.
"Ruffed grouse abundance likely will depend nearly as much upon recruitment of juveniles as on densities of males during spring," he said. "Unfortunately, the cool, wet weather so far this spring has not been ideal for nesting success and chick survival."
Ruffed grouse are the state's number one upland gamebird. Minnesota consistently ranks within the top three states for harvest and frequently is the nation's top producer. At the peak, Minnesota's annual harvest exceeds one million birds. Average annual harvest is 600,000 birds.
Sharp-tailed grouse numbers also remain similar to 2004. For the past 20 years the sharp-tailed grouse index has been approximately seven to 11 birds counted per dancing ground. This year's statewide mean of 9.5 birds counted per dancing ground was in the middle of that range, similar to last year's average of 10. Sharp-tailed population fluctuations have mirrored the ruffed grouse population cycle.
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