Date of Award:

8-2025

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Wildland Resources

Committee Chair(s)

David Dahlgren

Committee

David Dahlgren

Committee

Eric Thacker

Committee

T.J. Clark-Wolf

Abstract

Forest grouse are difficult to study and manage in the Intermountain West because they live in remote, rugged areas and do not gather at predictable display sites like other grouse species. From 2023 to 2025, I studied two species, dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) and ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), to test new survey tools, track their seasonal movements, and evaluate hunting impacts.

First, I tested whether small audio recording devices placed in the forest could minimize labor needed for spring breeding surveys. To do this, I conducted traditional surveys with human observers at the same time and locations as the recording devices in Utah’s Bear River Range. The devices detected more grouse overall and produced similar results to in-person counts, especially for ruffed grouse. This method could make it easier for wildlife agencies to monitor grouse over large areas with fewer staff. I also trained and tested sound identification models that can be used in future research and monitoring.

Next, I tracked the movements of two dusky grouse populations using GPS trackers. Birds in Nevada used larger areas than those in Utah, likely due to lower population densities and harsher conditions. Both populations showed strong loyalty to the same breeding and wintering areas each year. In Utah, I studied the types of forest habitat used during winter and found that dusky grouse preferred mature forests with taller trees and moderate tree cover. These findings help fill important gaps in what we know about dusky grouse and can guide future forest management.

Lastly, I looked at hunting effects by marking birds with leg bands and collecting wings from harvested birds in the Bear River Range. The number of wings submitted doubled in 2024, suggesting increased hunting. More harvested dusky grouse were female, and fewer young ruffed grouse were collected in 2024, indicating a poor breeding year. Many hunters appeared to have trouble identifying the two species correctly.

This research provides new tools and information that can help wildlife managers better understand, monitor, and conserve forest grouse in the West.

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