Roadside Drumming Counts a Spring Census Method for Ruffed Grouse

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Abstract
Roadside drumming counts of ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) were made in n. Minnesota on routes established in 6 game management areas to determine population trends and relative abundance of the birds. Four minutes was found to be the average time interval between drummings for a given bird. A radius of audibility of 1/8 mile was found to be characteristic for n. Minnesota cover types. The best counts were made near wet-lowland areas, such as creeks, swamps, and lakes in mixed hardwood-coniferous type. The average number of drummings per 10 stops has increased from 16 in 1949 to 28 in 1952, and birds per sq. mi. from 59 in 1949 to 104.6 in 1952. Roadside drumming counts make it possible to cover a large area with few observers, and it is possible to obtain a large number of observations even in a low grouse population.

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