by Kevin Zimmermann
(WHBL) – You likely don’t know much about the Sharp-Tailed Grouse. The native bird enjoyed wide distribution in Wisconsin in the 1800’s, but populations of the popular game bird were hard to find in 2000. Hunting has been tightly controlled by the Wisconsin DNR in attempts to re-establish the Grouse, but an unexpected factor this year means no hunt at all.
The bird is probably OK for now – but people aren’t due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so it was impossible to survey the population during the spring mating season. With little data to use, and all available information pointing to the risk of a marked decrease in numbers, this year’s hunt was cancelled by the DNR.
Sharp-Tailed Grouse permits have been issued in only three of the last 5 years.
Comments