Ruffed Grouse Drumming Site Characteristics in Ohio

Abstract

Physical, site, and vegetational characteristics associated with logs used by male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus monticola) were analyzed to identify occupancy parameters. Perennial activity centers contained nearly 3 times as much brushland and heavily cut woodland as transient centers. Density of shrubs and small trees was greater (P < 0.05) around logs showing continuous use and those with recent use than around logs that had been abandoned and those sporadically used. Mean occupancy length of logs in perennial centers was 16.5 months, longer (P < 0.01) than for logs in transient centers (5 = 10.9 months). The drumming log appeared relatively unimportant in the selection process. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 43(2):324-333 Courtship behavior of male ruffed grouse includes selection, usually for life, of forested areas ranging from 4 to 12 or more hectares (Palmer 1963, Gullion 1967). These areas have been commonly termed activity centers (Gullion 1967:88, Lewis et al. 1968, Porath and Vohs 1972). Within activity centers, an object or objects, usually a log, on the forest floor are selected for drumming. These sites serve as the focal point of spring courtship activity. Physical characteristics of the drumming platform are generally not considered important (Gullion 1967:95, Boag and Sumanik 1969:626). Density, size, canopy coverage, and type of vegetation immediately around the log are considered important (Palmer 1963, Boag and Sumanik 1969, Boag 1976). The importance of drumming log location relative to topography is unclear. In Missouri (Lewis et al. 1968:25) and Indiana (Muehrcke and Kirkpatrick 1970:183), male grouse preferred logs at higher elevations. Studies in Iowa (Porath and Vohs 1972) and Alberta (Boag and Sumanik 1969), made little mention of location relative to topography. Importance of general cover types in which logs are located is unclear, perhaps due to differing vegetative conditions over the range of ruffed grouse. In New York, Bump et al. (1947:280) reported that drumming logs usually were found in woodland cover and associated with conifers, where possible. In Wisconsin, Dorney (1959) found that conifers, and northern hardwoods were used less than aspen-birch, swamp hardwoods, and lowland brush types. Gullion and Marshall (1968:137) reported that grouse in Minnesota survived best in the hardwood-brush type devoid of conifers. Traditional use of certain sites has been reported, but the specific important qualities have not been identified (Palmer 1963:663, Gullion 1967:95). In Ohio, some habitat qualities influencing use of particular drumming sites were unclear. To our knowledge no attempt has been made to compare the physical and vegetative characteristics of activity centers and drumming logs receiving traditional or sporadic use. Also, the use associated durations of occupanI Deceased. 324 J. Wildl. Manage. 43(2):1979 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.132 on Thu, 15 Sep 2016 04:54:05 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms RUFFED GROUSE DRUMMING SITES IN OHIO Stoll et al. 325 cy by male grouse have not been assessed. From 1969 to 1977 we attempted to identify factors important in traditional use by ruffed grouse in Ohio by comparing habitat parameters associated with activity centers and logs receiving traditional or sporadic use. We gratefully acknowledge C. Nixon, J. Davis, C. McKibben, J. Ely, M. Moser, R. Donohoe, and K. Laub for constructive suggestions and field assistance. This paper is a contribution from Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project, Ohio W105-R.