Grouse counts highest since 1972

Minnesota’s ruffed grouse spring population counts are similar to last year and to other recent peaks in the 10-year population cycle of grouse — a pattern recorded for 73 years.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and its partners use spring drumming counts to help monitor the ruffed grouse breeding population through time.

The trend includes a low point in the cycle in 2021 that was not as low as previous lows, followed by the highest peak this year since 1972.

Warm temperatures and dry conditions that favor high nest success and chick survival the last few years may partly explain the quicker than expected rise to peak levels in the 10-year cycle. Snow conditions also were favorable for roosting throughout much of the core of grouse range during the two winters prior to the unusually warm winter of 2023-2024. Minnesota’s climate is getting warmer and wetter with more heavy, intense rainfalls occurring.

Nesting success and chick survival during the spring and summer are among the factors that influence the number of birds present in the fall. These factors could be reduced by heavy rain during June.

Much of what is known about grouse in Minnesota comes from the work of wildlife biologist Gordon Gullion, who worked out of the Cloquet Forestry Center from 1959 to 1991.