Ruffed grouse population on upswing

Ruffed grouse drumming increased 17% statewide this spring in Wisconsin, indicating the species is on the upswing in its traditional 10-year population cycle, according to a Department of Natural Resources report.

The statewide index was 0.96 drums per stop, up from 0.82 in 2016. The data mark the second consecutive increase in the annual survey and could well be good news for grouse hunters.

"An increase in breeding grouse activity hopefully will mean an increase in grouse nesting and brood rearing, which could mean more grouse for hunters to pursue this fall," said Brian Dhuey, DNR wildlife survey coordinator, in a statement.

"Survey results suggest that we have passed the low point in the population cycle and have started the increasing phase, which should continue the next few years as the grouse population moves toward the next peak."

Ruffed grouse populations are known to rise and fall over a nine to 11-year cycle, and the last peak in Wisconsin's cycle occurred in 2011, according to DNR records. 

The DNR reports ruffed grouse data in four regions: northern, central, southeast and southwest.

Surveyors this spring found 2.06 drums per stop (30% higher than 2016) in the northern zone, home to the best quality and greatest quantity of ruffed grouse habitat in Wisconsin.

The central zone showed 0.85 drums per stop (13% decrease), while the southwest yielded 0.14 (55% increase) and the southeast 0.01 (no change).

Roadside surveys to monitor the number of breeding grouse have been conducted since 1964 by the DNR, U.S. Forest Service, tribal employees, grouse enthusiasts and volunteers.

The surveys begin 30 minutes before sunrise and consist of 10 stops at assigned points. Surveyors listen for four minutes at each stop for the distinctive thumping sounds made by drumming male grouse.

The 2017 drumming report reflects data obtained on 115 routes statewide.

Weather conditions influence drumming activity by male grouse, and surveyors rated conditions as "excellent" on 53% of transect runs this spring, up from 46% in 2016. 

While ruffed grouse populations cycle between highs and lows over about a decade, a long-term downward trend has been noted for the Wisconsin grouse population since the inception of the survey, according to the DNR.

Grouse highs are not as up as they have been in the past and the population seems to be slower to recover from cyclic lows.

The aging of Wisconsin’s forest are likely playing a role in these changes, the DNR said in its 2017 drumming survey.

Results show grouse populations in the southwest and southeast regions remain well below historic levels.

As recently as 1981, 4 drums per stop were recorded by surveyors in southwestern Wisconsin. The most recent peak in the southeast was 2 drums per stop in 1999.

Ruffed grouse rely on dense, young forest cover resulting from disturbances such as fire and logging, said Mark Witecha, DNR upland bird ecologist.

Witecha said the DNR is working to increase ruffed grouse habitat in Wisconsin by actively managing state-owned lands and by collaborating with the Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership, which provides technical and financial assistance for young forest management on private lands.

Duck stamp available: The 2017-'18 federal duck stamp was released June 23 and is available for purchase. This year's edition features Canada geese painted by James Hautman of Chaska, Minn. Hautman has won the stamp art competition five times.

Waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older are required to purchase the stamps. Many non-hunters also buy the stamps to assist with U.S. wildlife conservation.

Since 1934, stamp sales have generated more than $850 million to acquire and preserve more than 5.7 million acres of bird and wildlife habitat, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ninety-eight percent of proceeds from duck stamp sales go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports wetland acquisition and conservation easements for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The stamp costs $25 and is available at many post offices, national wildlife refuges, sporting goods and online at www.duckstamp.com.