The effort was part of the annual count of greater sage grouse. Each year Game and Fish, volunteers, private consultants and federal agencies visit as many of the known leks to record the numbers of male sage grouse.
 
“What we saw across the state was consistent with several neighboring states and that was an uptick in the number of male sage grouse on the leks,” said Tom Christiansen, Game and Fish’s Sage-Grouse Program Coordinator. “We also saw that sage grouse habitat responded well to moisture in the spring and early summer.”
 
Over 35,800 male sage grouse were recorded this year. The average number of male grouse per lek was up 66 percent in 2015 compared to 2014 as was the proportion of active leks. These numbers have been provided to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider in their pending decision whether or not to list the sage-grouse as a threatened or endangered species.
 
“Game and Fish appreciates all the volunteers who helped us do this annual survey. It involved a lot of early mornings, but we all enjoy seeing such an impressive species,” Christiansen said.
 
More information about sage grouse is available on the Game and Fish Department’s website: wgfd.wyo.gov/Habitat/Sage-Grouse-Management