Spring surveys show mixed results for ruffed grouse, pheasants, waterfowl
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that data is now available from annual spring surveys of Wisconsin ruffed grouse, pheasants and waterfowl.
The spring waterfowl breeding survey indicated stable population numbers and habitat conditions for migratory birds. In contrast, the spring surveys showed ruffed grouse and pheasant counts below the five-year average, including an 11% decrease statewide in ruffed grouse drumming activity from 2022.
The decreases observed in the ruffed grouse and pheasant populations in this year’s surveys were not unexpected.
“We are entering the down phase of the 10-year abundance cycle,” said Brian Dhuey, DNR wildlife surveys specialist. “It is likely we will continue to see some declines in abundance in the coming years before we start to see increases, with the peak of the next cycle likely coming around 2029, 2030 or 2031. While the number of birds detected is down overall, there will still be pockets of good ruffed grouse abundance, although these areas will be fewer and harder to find this fall.”
In the Northern Priority Area, 1.45 drums per stop were recorded on 52 survey routes, a decrease of 9% from the 2022 count on 1.6. Drums per stop were the same on 21 routes, increased on 13 routes and decreased on 24 routes.
Pheasant populations are also down relative to historic averages. The department reported the 2023 average pheasant observations at 0.46 pheasants per stop, similar to 2022’s average of 0.47 pheasants per stop. The count remains below the most recent five-year average of 0.55 pheasants per stop. While pheasant numbers are down statewide, abundance was markedly higher in the northwestern part of Wisconsin’s pheasant range than in the central or southeastern portions.
Similarly, wood duck populations decreased from 2022, although populations remain above the long-term average. The survey team also reported average to above-average wetland conditions across the state during the survey period.
Surveyors estimated the state’s breeding duck population at 545,065 birds, a 3.5% decrease from the 2022 estimate, yet 23.4% over the long-term average. Canada goose numbers are also slightly lower than 2022 yet remain 58.4% higher than the long-term average.
Conversely, The DNR’s annual breeding waterfowl survey showed stable numbers for mallards and bluewinged teal, two of the state’s primary breeding waterfowl. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has not shown any measurable impacts this year on waterfowl populations at a statewide or continental scale, and the state had excellent nesting conditions immediately after the survey. The dry conditions during the brood rearing period have not seemed to negatively impact brood success based on staff feedback.
Find these and other wildlife survey reports on the DNR’s Wisconsin Wildlife Reports webpage, https:// dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/reports. html.
