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RAC approves sage‑grouse translocation and game‑bird rule changes aimed at boosting local populations
Summary
The RAC approved a proposal to translocate juvenile male sage grouse into selected sites and approved related game‑bird rule amendments and possession rules to support the effort; Division staff said the moves are designed to increase lek establishment in restored habitat and would not impose new restrictions on surrounding lands.
The Southeast Regional Advisory Council approved Division proposals to use targeted translocations and amended regulations intended to support greater sage‑grouse and other upland game species.
Division and biologists described plans to translocate small numbers of juvenile male sage‑grouse (10–15 males in fall) to selected release sites in order to encourage new lek establishment and improve local distribution in existing Sage Grouse Management Areas (SGMAs). The Division also plans to release additional females in spring at those sites to increase the likelihood of retention and breeding. Staff said source sites were chosen to avoid simply moving birds short distances where they would likely return to natal leks.
The RAC approved two items by unanimous vote: a rule amendment on possession and release of game birds intended to enable the relocations and a proposal to conduct the targeted translocations. Division biologists said the approaches build on techniques used in other Galliform species and limited studies of sage‑grouse; they emphasized the effort is designed to supplement existing local populations in suitable, already designated management areas.
Why it matters: Sage‑grouse conservation depends heavily on lek fidelity and brood habitat; moving juvenile males to suitable but underutilized areas is intended to nudge birds into establishing new lek sites and expand distribution without imposing new land restrictions in the surrounding area.
Implementation and safeguards: Staff said they will limit the number of birds taken from source sites (fewer than 50) to avoid negative impacts at source populations and will choose sites and timing to reduce the likelihood of birds returning to natal leks. The Division reported prior successes in related translocation work with sharp‑tailed and Gunnison sage‑grouse in studies and intends to monitor outcomes.
Ending: The RAC approved the Division proposals unanimously and encouraged monitoring and reporting on post‑release survival and lek establishment.
