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Show Sage Grouse Habitat Under Major Study by State in Panguitch Area Sage grouse habits and seasonal use areas are being studied by Division of Wildlife Resources personnel near Panguitch, in a continuing inventory of their habitat. The project began in the winter of 1975 and will continue for a minimum of two years, according to project leaders Jim Guyman and Grant Jense. Sage grouse, as with most upland game birds, utilize different types of habitat to supply various needs. Specifically, they use "wintering grounds," "nesting grounds" and move onto special "strutting grounds" for courtship and reproduction. The primary purpose of the study is to identify the specific locations used by the sage grouse population in that portion of southern Utah. Thus far, nine birds (all of which are hens) have been captured and fitted with radio transmitters. Researchers plan to outfit three more hens with the transmitting devices. The birds are also marked with colored "bibs" and leg bands. The monitored birds are released into their natural areas after biological data is collected and the radio devices are activated. The birds are tracked by means of telemetry equipment and information is recorded about their location. At this time of year, starting now and lasting through mid-April, Division efforts are directed at identifying strutting grounds. Following that, the monitored hens will be traced to nesting and brood-rearing areas. The project will help identify essential habitat. To date, eight of the nine birds with transmitters have been located after their return to the wild. Four of the eight birds have actually been flushed by men in the field after being tracked with the telemetry equipment Jim Gifymon indicated that the sage grouse population in the southern part of the state seems to be stable even though it is down somewhat from several years ago. Population estimates are taken from harvest data, strutting ground counts and results of summer brood counts. The primary purpose of the study is to provide information needed to prevent deterioration of sage grouse habitat in the Panguitch area. Similar studies are being conducted throughout the range of the sage grouse In Utah. Utah Division of Wildlife official place special transmitter on sage grouse In the Pangultch area la a special project to trace the hablUtoTtheUrds. The grouse are rtleaseTIntoUielr natural areas after they are equipped wltii the transmitters. |
