Sage grouse populations continue to rise statewide according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department 2016 annual survey. Game and Fish personnel and other partners joined together to visit and count nearly 1,700 sage grouse breeding grounds, or leks, this year. Annually, Game and Fish, volunteers, private consultants and federal agencies visit nearly 90 percent of the known leks to record the numbers of male sage grouse.

“What we saw across the state 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 generally responded well to moisture in the spring and early summer and chick production should be good in most areas.” Bird numbers may vary locally depending on site specific weather and habitat conditions.

Over 42,300 male sage grouse were recorded this year in Wyoming. The average number of male grouse per lek was up 16 percent in 2016 compared to 2015, which was 66 percent higher than 2014. Christiansen noted that sage grouse populations in Wyoming cycle up and down similar to rabbits and that the population in Wyoming may be nearing a peak in the cycle.

“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 management efforts is available on the Game and Fish website.