Habitat use by breeding male sage grouse: a management approach

Authors

Kevin L. Ellis, Brigham Young University
Jimmie R. Parrish, Brigham Young University
Joseph R. Murphy, Brigham Young University
Gary H. Richins, Brigham Young University

Abstract

Radio telemetry was used to study habitat use of breeding male sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) at a lek in northeastern Utah during 1983 and 1984. Objectives were to determine if grouse day-use areas differed significantly in sagebrush characteristics from adjacent nonuse areas and to establish a simplified method for use by land managers in identifying grouse use areas. We determined that male grouse used areas of greatest sagebrush height and cover. Our methods provide a means for land managers to identify habitat associated with a lek that is suitable for male sage grouse day use in the event sagebrush alteration is planned within 3 km of a lek.

Recommended Citation

Ellis, Kevin L.; Parrish, Jimmie R.; Murphy, Joseph R.; and Richins, Gary H. (1989) "Habitat use by breeding male sage grouse: a management approach," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 49: No. 3, Article 10.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol49/iss3/10