Sage Hen Population Shows Steady Decline Northeastern Nevada

Article from the June/July 1954 issue of the Nevada Fish and Game Bulletin discussing issues related to sage-grouse population declines in that state.

“In the areas where this grouse is most widespread, that is, northeastern Nevada, the population has shown a steady decline since 1950. The decrease of adult birds between 1951 and 1952 was about 50 to 60 percent; however, a good hatch in 1952 gave us a high enough population to permit a season. The size of this hatch was reflected in a 36 percent increase in adult birds in 1953, but the loss of most of our 1953 broods resulted in the over-all population showing a decrease of about 39 percent, and no open season was held. The strutting ground surveys during the past two months have shown a decrease of over 40 percent from the spring of 1953, and a population estimated at about 10 percent of the 1949 level. This decrease is in spite of the closed season in 1953.”