Minnesota’s prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse, both listed as Species in Greatest Conservation Need, are at the heart of a crucial study, with hunters lending a helping hand. The investigation, led by Charlotte Roy from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, seeks to uncover the long-term effects of hybridization on prairie chicken populations.
Hybridization, a potential concern, results in the mixing of gene pools of these species, subsequently reducing the number of pure chicks. Researchers aim to discern whether this mingling of species is contributing to the challenges in maintaining and bolstering the prairie chicken population.
A significant factor under consideration is the change in habitat and behavior, with sharp-tailed grouse expanding southward and prairie chicken booming grounds dwindling in northwestern Minnesota. The increase in sharp-tailed grouse and hybrids at prairie chicken booming grounds raises questions about the reasons behind these shifts.
Hunters, essential to this research, can voluntarily submit wing or tail feathers from the harvested birds, assisting the collaborative study between Minnesota DNR, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, and the University of North Dakota. The insights gained from this project aim to guide future management strategies to sustain or enhance the populations of both bird species.
Charlotte Roy emphasizes the importance of hunters in the success of this research, as the data obtained will be instrumental in shaping conservation efforts. Hunters are encouraged to send five to 10 large wing or tail feathers from each bird, properly labeled with the county of harvest, to Grouse Research, DNR Regional Headquarters, 1201 E Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.
For further information, the Minnesota DNR prairie chicken management webpage
Photo Credit: gettyimages-semakokal
Categories: Minnesota, Harvesting, Rural Lifestyle