July 10, 2023



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*Minnesota DNR News
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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

July 10, 2023




*For more information:*
Contact the DNR Information Center
by?email <[email protected]>?or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Ruffed grouse counts remain high in core of ruffed grouse range [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Public information meeting scheduled to discuss Powers Lake in Meeker County [ #link_1 ]

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DNR Fish and Wildlife Almanac

"A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management."

DNR webinars cover fawn research, falconry

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to check out the summer program schedule for the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series.

The first webinar is Wednesday, July 12. Tyler Obermoller, DNR natural resources specialist, will discuss how researchers are using thermal infrared drones to locate white-tailed deer fawns. The fawns are then fitted with GPS-collars, which allow researchers to monitor the animals and assess the causes of mortality in young deer. This talk will walk through this cutting-edge project from start to finish and uncover some of the mysteries of how newborn fawns can avoid predators.

The second webinar is Wednesday, July 19. Matt Lasch will discuss falconry and how to hunt with these amazing birds. The presentation will include a brief history of falconry, steps to becoming a falconer, birds typically used in falconry, and the training and hunting process. Lasch will also briefly cover how falconers have been critical in several conservation and restoration efforts.

The Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series webinars are free and offered year-round, though registration is required. Visit the Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webpage of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/discover) for the registration portal, more information about upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars.

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Ruffed grouse counts remain high in core of ruffed grouse range

Sharp-tailed grouse population similar to recent years

Minnesota?s ruffed grouse spring population counts are up again from last year and are similar to other recent peaks in the 10-year population cycle of grouse ? a pattern recorded for 72 years, according to a study from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR and its partners use spring drumming counts to help monitor the ruffed grouse breeding population through time.

The recent grouse population trend includes a low point in the cycle in 2021 that was not as low as previous lows, followed by unexpectedly higher counts in 2022 and again this year.

Warm temperatures and dry conditions that favor high nest success and chick survival the past two years may partly explain the quicker than expected rise to levels like recent peaks in the 10-year cycle. Snow conditions also were favorable for roosting throughout much of the core of grouse range during the past two winters.

?While ruffed grouse drumming counts are up in the core of ruffed grouse range, they are not an accurate way to predict the birds that will be present during the fall hunting season,? said Charlotte Roy, DNR grouse project leader. ?Nesting success and chick survival during the spring and summer are among the factors that influence the number of birds present in the fall.?

Drumming is a low sound produced by males as they beat their wings rapidly and in increasing frequency to signal the location of their territory. Drumming displays also attract females that are ready to begin nesting. Ruffed grouse populations are surveyed by counting the number of male ruffed grouse drums on established routes throughout the state?s forested regions.

?In a typical year, we have 13 cooperating organizations providing folks to help us count grouse drumming,? Roy said. ?We are grateful to our federal and tribal partners for their assistance in completing routes.?

The ruffed grouse survey report can be found on the grouse management webpage [ [link removed] ] of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/wildlife/grouse.html).

*Sharp-tailed grouse population similar to last year*

Minnesota?s sharp-tailed grouse population shows similar levels this year to last year, according to spring population counts conducted by the Minnesota DNR and cooperating organizations.

The population level remains low in east-central Minnesota. The Minnesota DNR closed the hunting season in the east-central zone in 2021. Low population levels in this area are thought to be driven largely by changing habitat conditions. The birds require areas of approximately one to three square miles of grassland and brushland, so managing their habitats often requires cooperation between multiple landowners.

The Minnesota Sharp-tailed Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever and others have collaborated with the Minnesota DNR on targeted habitat management ? specifically on prescribed burns, and mowing and tree shearing projects ? for sharp-tailed grouse in the east-central range and remain committed to enhancing open-land habitats.

The sharp-tailed grouse survey report can be found on the grouse management webpage [ [link removed] ] of the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/wildlife/grouse.html).

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Public information meeting scheduled to discuss Powers Lake in Meeker County

Meeting planned for Monday, July 17 at Darwin City Hall

A public information meeting is scheduled to discuss options to replace the water control structure on Powers Lake, located in Meeker County. The meeting, scheduled for July 17 at the Darwin City Hall, will gather public input to help guide Meeker County and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife managers as they explore alternatives to replace the water control structure at the outlet of the lake.

Powers Lake is a 402-acre shallow lake in Meeker County located north of the town of Darwin.

The outlet structure on Powers Lake was installed in the 1960s to maintain water levels. That structure is in disrepair and replacement is required.

The Minnesota DNR is interested in working with Meeker County and area residents to construct a new water control structure at the outlet of Powers Lake to improve lake habitat and water quality. This public meeting is the first step toward developing a plan to replace the structure.

The public can ask questions and provide input at the public meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 17 at the Darwin City Hall, 305 East Curran St., Darwin, MN 55324.

Interested parties can also contact Cory Netland, area wildlife supervisor at 320-347-7632 or by email at [email protected] <[email protected]>. Questions can also be directed to Josh Kavanagh, DNR shallow lakes specialist by phone at 320-347-7634 or by email at [email protected] <[email protected]>.

Mail correspondence can be sent to New London DNR Wildlife Office, 398 Sibley Park Road NE, New London, MN 56273.

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