Survey shows less drumming activity
Roadside ruffed grouse surveys completed this spring showed statewide drumming activity decreased more than 30 percent between 2017 and 2018.
While this decline does not follow the generally predictable grouse population cycle, the 2018 drumming observations do fall within the normal range of variability of the grouse cycle.
The survey results showed a 34-percent decrease statewide over 2017 levels. The downturn was seen in the central (29 percent) and northern (38 percent) forest regions of the state, the primary grouse range in Wisconsin. Although the survey indicated a 14-percent decrease in southwestern Wisconsin and an increase in the southeast, these areas are not within the primary range for grouse. The drumming activity in southwestern and southeastern Wisconsin are at or near historic lows and likely would not significantly add to grouse abundance in the state.
“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,” said Mark Witecha, an upland wildlife biologist with the state Department of Natural Resources. “Based on the historical grouse cycle in Wisconsin, it was expected there would have been a significant drop in the population in the northern forest back around 2015. However, the population decline was only about half as low as anticipated.”
Survey results can be found dnr.wi.gov and searching for keywords “reports.”
“With this somewhat abbreviated low point in the population cycle in 2015, an increasing phase lasting several years is expected, so a decline in 2018 is not consistent with a typical population cycle, but does confirm the reports we received from hunters last fall,” Witecha said. “As these survey results indicate, there is some variation from the historical pattern in the grouse population over the last several years, specifically in the primary northern range. In the more southern survey areas, a long-term decline in the population is consistent with a loss of quality young forest habitat.”
The DNR, U.S. Forest Service, tribal employees, grouse enthusiasts and volunteers have participated in roadside surveys to monitor the number of breeding grouse since 1964.
“Ruffed grouse rely on dense, young forest cover resulting from disturbances such as fire and logging,” Witecha said. “Beyond actively managing state-owned lands, the DNR is working to provide suitable grouse habitat through an extensive collaborative effort known as the Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership. This partnership provides technical and financial assistance for young forest management on private lands, benefitting ruffed grouse and other wildlife species by helping maintain healthy and diverse forest communities.”