Factors Affecting Ruffed Grouse Drumming Counts in Southwestern Wisconsin
- 1 April 1981
- journal article
- research article
- Published by JSTOR in The Journal of Wildlife Management
- Vol. 45 (2) , 409-418
- https://doi.org/10.2307/3807922
Abstract
The effects of steep topography and land use on ruffed grouse (B. umbellus) drumming counts were studied in southwestern Wisconsin. Topography created substantial differences in audibility of the drumming between locations. Drumming counts were unusually low in spring 1976, but increased by 2.7 times in 1977. Numbers of territorial males increased by 29%. This disparity was due to greater drumming participation by territorial males in 1977. The relationship of drumming frequency with numbers of drumming grouse was more positive (P < 0.001) in southwestern than in northern Wisconsin. Topographically induced competition may account for this regional difference. Recommendations concerning how and when to conduct drumming counts are discussed.This publication has 6 references indexed in Scilit:
- Spatial Relationships of Neighboring Male Ruffed Grouse in SpringThe Journal of Wildlife Management, 1976
- Seasonal and Annual Trends in Numbers of Alberta Ruffed GrouseThe Journal of Wildlife Management, 1971
- Selection and Use of Drumming Sites by Male Ruffed GrouseThe Auk, 1967
- The Use of Drumming Behavior in Ruffed Grouse Population StudiesThe Journal of Wildlife Management, 1966
- Observations on Aggressive Behavior of Male Ring-Necked Pheasants in WisconsinThe Journal of Wildlife Management, 1966
- Roadside Drumming Counts a Spring Census Method for Ruffed GrouseThe Journal of Wildlife Management, 1953