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Minnesota’s 2024 spring drumming counts show highest peak for ruffed grouse since 1972

Warm temperatures and dry conditions that favor high nest success and chick survival the last few years may partly explain the quicker than expected rise to peak levels in the 10-year cycle. (Photo by Michael Kensinger)

Minnesota’s ruffed grouse spring population counts are similar to last year and to other recent peaks in the 10-year population cycle of grouse — a pattern recorded for 73 years, according to a study from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The Minnesota DNR and its partners use spring drumming counts to help monitor the ruffed grouse breeding population through time.
The recent grouse population trend includes a low point in the cycle in 2021 that was not as low as previous lows, followed by the highest peak this year since 1972.

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