GROUSING ABOUT MIDDLE PARK
There are a bunch of new females in Middle Park… and if you’re a male sharp-tailed grouse - that is a pretty good thing. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) recently transplanted a group of 44 female sharp-tailed grouse into Middle Park to supplement a population of male sharp-tails that were released last fall.
“We transplanted 39 males in the fall so that they could establish breeding grounds and get a good feel for the area,” explained Justin Martens, DOW terrestrial biologist for the Middle Park area. “Once the males established their territory, the females were brought in to start the natural process.”
The new females will give the males something to strut about. Like its more well-known cousin, the greater sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse males perform elaborate mating rituals on breeding grounds, commonly called leks. The spectacular mating displays of grouse and the related prairie-chicken are popular viewing opportunities for birders. Of course, in order to not disturb the birds and inhibit the breeding process, birders are advised to use caution and consider organized viewing tours or festivals were necessary viewing precautions are in place. Because much of the grouse’s territory is found on private land, organized tours can provide many more viewing opportunities. During many grouse viewing tours, large camouflaged trailers haul birders to areas near lek sites in the early morning darkness. Birders must sit quietly for hours until the grouses’ incredible displays begin. For most birders, seeing this display is a once in a lifetime experience.
“We’ve heard from some of the long time residents that they remember seeing what locals called willow grouse in the area years ago,” said Lyle Sidener, area wildlife manager with the DOW. “Based on the historical information we’ve been able to collect, this operation is a re-introduction to historic habitat.”
Grouse are popular upland game birds for sportsmen, but hunters should be aware that sharp-tailed grouse hunting is closed almost statewide. There are some legal sharp-tailed hunting areas near Craig and Steamboat Springs. Sage grouse and dusky grouse (formerly called blue grouse) hunters in the Middle Park area should be aware that sharp-tailed grouse are being reintroduced. Hunters should use extra caution to properly identify their target. The conspicuous white spots on the wing feathers are an easy way to distinguish sharp-tails from dusky and sage grouse. Hunters should consult the DOW small game hunting brochure or regulations website for complete grouse hunting details.
Mountain sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), also called Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, are native to the northern mountain regions of North America. The mountain sharp-tailed grouse uses the high mountain shrub-grassland community and associated edge areas. The birds are most commonly found in high elevation grasslands with serviceberry, chokecherry, oakbrush, sagebrush and aspen. Sharp-tailed grouse rely on small trees and shrubs for food in the winter and cover throughout the year.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The Division is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.