Sage Grouse Numbers Grew in 2019

Wyoming’s population has grown in one community – sage grouse.

Wyoming Game and Fish reports that sage grouse reproduction was up slightly in 2019 compared to last year. Officials collected the wings of hens and chicks from hunters. The collected wings give an estimate of sage grouse reproduction and the number of chicks in the fall population.

In 2018, Game and Fish documented 0.8 chicks per hen. In 2019, it was 1.1 chicks per hen. Yes, it’s a small rise, but its considerably closer 1.2 chicks – the average needed for a sustainable population. This is a victory, but also part of the natural cycle biologists recorded in the population during their years of research.

This also represented the significance and importance of hunters to the conservation efforts of sage grouse and other Wyoming wildlife. The scope of the study and the extensive samples are only possible thanks to the recreational hunters who cooperate with Game and Fish for the benefit of our state.