
One Of North Dakota’s Native Game Birds Is Now Likely Extinct
North Dakota may have lost one of its native and most regal game birds.
For the first time in the history of North Dakota's Game and Fish's annual spring survey at the Greater Sage Grouse lek sites in extreme southwest North Dakota, they did not count any male sage grouse.
In case you are unfamiliar with what a Greater Sage Grouse looks like, here's a picture of a couple of males.
As you can see, they are very striking birds, and one of just a handful of native upland game birds in the state.
A member of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department confirmed to me that they did not count any male sage grouse during the annual spring surveys at their leks (breeding grounds).
The range of the Greater Sage Grouse was never widespread across North Dakota.
As you can see by the map above, the Greater Sage Grouse was rather limited in their range across North Dakota. They were found in extreme western Bowman, Slope, and a small portion of Golden Valley Counties.
Before we get into what has caused these striking game birds to disappear in North Dakota, let's take a look at the most striking waterfowl you are likely to encounter in the state.
Top 11 Most Stunning Waterfowl in North Dakota
What has caused the decline in the Greater Sage Grouse in North Dakota?
Plain and simple, the number one reason is a loss of native habitat in this part of the state.
This is attributed to agriculture, energy development, and the spread of invasive species like cheatgrass. Even the West Nile virus has been documented as a contributing factor, according to Outdoor Life.
Is there any hope that the Greater Sage Grouse could ever make a comeback in North Dakota?
Efforts have been made in the past to bolster the Sage Grouse population in the state by stocking birds from Wyoming.
North Dakota Game and Fish officials say there is always the possibility that Sage Grouse could move back in from neighboring states, but with the loss of native habitat, it's unlikely.
Hopefully, there is a plan in place to reintroduce this magnificent game bird to the state, and hopefully, it will thrive again.
It all starts with habitat, build it and they will come.
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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
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