Autumn Movements of Blue Grouse and Their Relevance to Populations and Management

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Hunting season recoveries of blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus pallidus) banded on a breeding range in north-central Washington indicate that autumn migrations of blue grouse are often much longer than is commonly believed. The longest movement recorded was 31 miles. Fifty per- cent of the birds were recovered over 5 miles, and 30 percent over 10 miles, from where they were banded. Most movements were toward the north; most recoveries were from the Douglas fir or spruce- fir vegetative zones, mainly between 3,000 and 5,000 ft in elevation. Birds dispersed over an area some 25 times as large as the breeding range where banded. Those from different sections of the breeding range apparently went to different wintering areas. Only 4.2 percent of the banded birds were re- ported as being recovered by hunters. Breeding populations appeared to be much higher on an un- grazed range, where banding was done, than on surrounding rangelands. Breeding densities appear to be related to the condition of breeding range. AUTUMN MOVEMENTS OF BLUE GROUSE AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO POPULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT Abstract: Hunting season recoveries of blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus pallidus) banded on a breeding range in north-central Washington indicate that autumn migrations of blue grouse are often much longer than is commonly believed. The longest movement recorded was 31 miles. Fifty per- cent of the birds were recovered over 5 miles, and 30 percent over 10 miles, from where they were banded. Most movements were toward the north; most recoveries were from the Douglas fir or spruce- fir vegetative zones, mainly between 3,000 and 5,000 ft in elevation. Birds dispersed over an area some 25 times as large as the breeding range where banded. Those from different sections of the breeding range apparently went to different wintering areas. Only 4.2 percent of the banded birds were re- ported as being recovered by hunters. Breeding populations appeared to be much higher on an un- grazed range, where banding was done, than on surrounding rangelands. Breeding densities appear to be related to the condition of breeding range.