Not a good time to be a sharp-tailed grouse

NEWS RELEASE

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

**************************** NRC approves limited sharp-tailed grouse season in Eastern UP

The Natural Resources Commission has approved a limited hunting season for sharp-tailed grouse in the eastern end of the Upper Peninsula, the first open season for the upland birds since 1996.

Sharp-tailed grouse are found in mixed grass and shrub lands.

The season was closed after surveys of known breeding grounds - commonly called “leks” - indicated a declining population.

Subsequent research by university and Department of Natural Resources and Environment personnel, however, indicates that sharptails are less faithful to their traditional leks than originally thought and their population is likely much larger than thought.

The season runs from Oct. 10-31 with a daily bag limit of two, a possession limit of four and a season limit of six.

The area open to hunting will be roughly east of M-129 south of M-48, and east of I-75 north of M-48.

Please see the upcoming 2010 Hunting and Trapping Guide or visit the DNRE website at www.michigan.gov/dnrhunting for specific boundaries.

Hunters who pursue sharptails grouse will be required to obtain a free sharp-tailed grouse stamp from any license vendor or on-line.

DNRE personnel will conduct annual surveys in the sharp-tailed grouse range in the area open to hunting as well as west of the open area to monitor population trends.

The DNRE is committed to the conservation, protection, management and accessible use of the state’s environment, natural resources and related economic interests for current and future generations.

For more information go to www.michigan.gov/dnre.

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