Biologists counted 225 males this spring, up from 144 in 2004. The all-time high number of male sage grouse counted on leks in the southwest was 542 birds in 1953, compared to a low mark of 111 in 1996.

The survey was conducted on 15 active strutting grounds, compared to 19 last year. “The poor weather this year was probably the reason we were unable to locate some of the small grounds,” said Jerry Kobriger, upland game management supervisor, Dickinson.

North Dakota ’s sage grouse season had typically opened the Monday after the sharp-tailed grouse opener in early to mid-September. In 2004, the sage grouse season was moved to a later date in September to reduce the amount of hunting pressure on adult females. Harvest records indicate the later the season the less hunting mortality occurs on adult females. No specific dates for this fall’s sage grouse season have been set at this time.

Sage grouse are North Dakota’s largest native upland game bird. They are found in extreme southwestern North Dakota, in Bowman and Slope counties.