Grouse image Copyright © 1985-2004 Scott Nielsen

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Of all the species found on the open grasslands of the Douglas County Wildlife Management Area, the Sharp-tailed grouse is most identified with the property.  For this reason it has been chosen as the logo for the Friends of the Bird Sanctuary.

Sharp-tailed Grouse Status at DCWMA

Number of Dancing Males Counted during past spring surveys:

2004   21             1999    20            1995   12

2003   20             1998    18            1994     8

2002   12             1997      9            1993     2

2001   11             1996      9            1992     4

2000   16

The fall population is usually estimated at four times the number of springtime dancing males (adult males + adult females + two offspring per pair).

Current Status in Wisconsin

The Sharp-tailed grouse is native to Wisconsin's prairies and was once found statewide.  Man-made and natural changes in sharptail habitat have caused the population to decline.  Modern land-use practices, especially farming, have resulted in the destruction of virtually all of Wisconsin's prairies. There may be as little as 1,000 square miles of Sharp-tailed grouse habitat left in Wisconsin, and most of that is poor quality.