Sage-grouse surveys...anyone?

[mtmiller]

Woke up to -18 this morning, so right away I knew this would be an office day. I am putting together some survey route maps for sage-grouse and am always interested in finding folks to help me out with the surveys.

If anyone is interested in counting birds in northern Montana between the Bears Paw mountains and the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (some in the Monument as well) during April drop me a line.

This area is rather remote, so camping on the prairie will probably be most efficient for early morning counts, but the scenery is pretty awesome. I will be busy with counts myself, so volunteers will be on their own.

 

[JoseCuervo]

I'd love to, but I suck at counting if it is too cold to take my boots off.

 

[mtmiller]

Uno, dos, tres.....

 

[Oak]

Looks like fun. I don't expect to do any counting this year. Clients are spending less voluntary money in this economy.

 

[ERSS]

So, you mean we can hunt them all of April and then just give you the count of how many we got?

I know down here they are getting pretty scarce and the seasons have either gone away or gone down to one bird per day with a very short season. How are the populations up there?

Any specific dates in April?

Awesome photos!

 

[brymoore]

Need anyone in Idaho?

 

[TheTone]

No go for me, I'll be busy doing some counting of my own. Nice pics I always get a kick out of watching them do their thing.

 

[oleefish2]

Great pictures. I have seen them strutting in several places here in WY over the years.

 

[mtmiller]

So, you mean we can hunt them all of April and then just give you the count of how many we got?

I know down here they are getting pretty scarce and the seasons have either gone away or gone down to one bird per day with a very short season. How are the populations up there?

Any specific dates in April?

Awesome photos!

Anytime in April is good. Weather can be a factor. If things get wet, vehilces aren't going anywhere for some time.

Need anyone in Idaho?

Sorry brymoore, my area doesn't stretch more than a few counties. You may try contacting your local fish/game or BLM office.

 

[Nut]

I counted in Ohio.....zero

 

[BillyGoat]

Nice pics, miller.

Need anyone in Idaho?

Idaho does not have a volunteer program for sage grouse counts.

 

[1_pointer]

Good luck! I'll be doing the same here! Are you counts part of the F&G or have you implemented some separately?

ERSS- IIRC didn't a couple of the units in ID increase the sage grouse limit last year? I was thinking some up towards Challis/Salmon went to two birds last year?

 

[TheTone]

Good luck! I'll be doing the same here! Are you counts part of the F&G or have you implemented some separately?

ERSS- IIRC didn't a couple of the units in ID increase the sage grouse limit last year? I was thinking some up towards Challis/Salmon went to two birds last year?

1-Pt,

You remembered correctly, we did have some two bird limits and a longer season for sage grouse last year. I talked to numerous hunters that said last year was the first they had hunted them in several years due to the longer season and increased limit.

 

[1_pointer]

Thanks for the corraboration...