Minnesota Wildlife

Ruffed grouse counts highest since 1972

Minnesota?s ruffed grouse spring population counts are similar to last year and to other recent peaks in the 10-year population cycle of grouse ? a pattern recorded for 73 years.

The Minnesota DNR and its partners use spring drumming counts to help monitor the ruffed grouse breeding population through time.

What?s drumming? Check out this grouse drumming video from Ruffed Grouse Society for the sights and sounds.

The recent grouse population trend includes a low point in the cycle in 2021 that was not as low as previous lows, followed by the highest peak this year since 1972.

Warm temperatures and dry conditions that favor high nest success and chick survival the last few years may partly explain the quicker than expected rise to peak levels in the 10-year cycle. Snow conditions also were favorable for roosting throughout much of the core of grouse range during the winters 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, followed by an unusually warm winter during 2023-2024. Minnesota?s climate is getting warmer and wetter with more heavy, intense rainfalls occurring.

As a reminder, for hunting, drumming counts are not an accurate way to predict the birds that will be present during the fall. Nesting success and chick survival during the spring and summer are among the factors that influence the number of birds present in the fall. These factors can be reduced by heavy rain during June when nests are hatching and chicks are young.

Thank you to our 13 cooperating organizations that provide help to count grouse drumming, including federal and tribal partners. The ruffed grouse survey report can be found on the DNR website.

Photo courtesy of Kalli Hawkins

Sharp-tailed grouse counts available

Minnesota?s northwest sharp-tailed grouse population is higher this year than last year and the highest it?s been since 2009, according to spring population counts conducted by the Minnesota DNR and cooperating organizations.

The population level remains low in east-central Minnesota. The Minnesota DNR closed the hunting season in the east-central zone in 2021. Low population levels in this area are thought to be driven largely by changing habitat conditions. The birds require areas of 1 to 3 square miles of grassland and brushland, so managing their habitats often requires cooperation between multiple landowners.

The Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever and others have collaborated with the Minnesota DNR on targeted habitat management ? specifically on prescribed burns, and mowing and tree shearing projects ? for sharp-tailed grouse in the east-central range and remain committed to enhancing open-land habitats.

The sharp-tailed grouse survey report can be found on the DNR website.

DNR adds Aitkin County to deer feeding and attractant ban

The Minnesota DNR has added Aitkin County in a deer feeding and attractant ban to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease spread, following CWD detection in two additional wild deer near Grand Rapids in fall 2023.

The DNR uses feeding and attractant bans as a tool to reduce unnatural aggregations of deer and reduce the risk of exposure to CWD. We use this tool where it provides the greatest benefit to the health of Minnesota?s white-tailed deer. Feeding deer and using deer attractants is now banned in 24 Minnesota counties where disease surveillance efforts indicate a greater risk of CWD spread.

The DNR does not encourage the public to feed deer. Residents interested in helping deer should focus efforts on improving habitat to provide long-term food resources and shelter.

Photo courtesy of Lori Warne

All about northern Minnesota wildlife

In this recorded webinar, hear all about wildlife found in northern woodlands and waterways and the Minnesota DNR?s work to improve wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities. The webinar featured DNR wildlife managers covering the latest in wildlife topics from Minnesota?s north country. The webinar is available here from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series.

Visit the DNR website to register for upcoming webinars for free and watch recorded webinars on a variety of wildlife topics.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Arndorfer

Wildlife highlight: sandhill cranes

One of Minnesota?s largest bird species is the sandhill crane. Standing five feet tall with a wingspan of nearly seven feet, the sandhill crane is a frequent flier in fields and marshes.

These graceful birds have an iconic echoing call. You can hear them even when they?re high in the sky during migration.

At this time of year, adult cranes are busy rearing colts, like the two pictured here. Sandhills typically lay two eggs. Cranes eat a wide variety of foods including frogs, small mammals, insects, snakes and grains. Learn more on the DNR website.

We had a DNR webinar all about sandhill cranes, and for a chat about sandhill cranes with DNR?s resident gamebird expert, check out a recent Minnesota Live interview that aired on KSTP-TV.

Photo courtesy of the National Park Service?