Predation and the Management of Prairie Grouse
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Schroeder and .:. .^. :%9: M:g9tW;x3&90Wt93FiXti-:::: LET:: lvlcllaruD* h 2 1x.r Davuacsn ,1 1 .9 : :9 .:13 ' :: . :<i:> 2 :$ . : 3:.v: . e°9'# ;;.3§2 ESe'E ,.,.,::. :::>':E ': .::ji :E:in: :: 1 .X.-72 , t0Ws:: :, x --: :piaper E ::: ii8.:.g ,:.E: examines the importanceof predationin the life cycles of sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), sharp-tailedgrouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), greaterprairie-chicken (17 cupido), and lesser prairie-chicken(l: pallidicinctus). Most individualprairie grouse eventuallysuccumb to predation,with substantial effects on nest success, juvenilesurvival, and adult survival. Predatorcontrol has occasionallybeen used as a managementtool with the belief that reducingpreda- tor numberscan enhance viabilityof game populationsin generaland prairie grouse in particular.Although some experimentalresearch has shown that direct reduction of predatornumbers can increase grouse recruitment,most currentman- agement plans recommendindirect management of the grouse-predatorrelation- ship by manipulatinghabitats. However,as habitatsbecome more fragmentedand alteredand populationsof prairiegrouse become more threatenedand endan- gered,it is importantto reconsiderpredator control as a managementoption and to evaluateits viabilitythrough experimentation. Key Words Centrocercus urophasianus, greaterprairie-chicken, grouse management,lesser prairie-chicken,population regulation, predator-prey relationships, sage grouse, sharp-tailedgrouse, Tympanuchus cupido, Tympanuchus phasianellus, Tympan- uchus pallidicinctus ife historiesof sage grouse,sharp-tailed grouse, greater We review availableinformation on the importanceof prairie-chicken,and lesser prairie-chickenhave been stud- predationin the life cycles of prairiegrouse and place iedjhroughout their ranges. Despite variationin behav- thatinformation into a managementcontext. Because abitat, and status,populations of prairiegrouse are predationpressure can be manipulateddirectly by con- similarregarding extent, timing, and significanceof mor- trollingpredator numbers (Batterson and Morse 1948) talityfrom predation (Schroeder and Robb 1993, and indirectlyby manipulatinghabitats (Hamerstrom et Connellyet al. 1998, Giesen 1998, Schroederet al. 1999). al. 1957), an additionalobjective of this paperwas to The consequencesof predationon the populationdynam- evaluatethe viabilityof alternativestrategies. ics of prairiegrouse are often consideredto be substantial enoughthat the effectivemanagement of prairiegrouse requiresthe directand indirectmanipulation of predation Descriptionof prairiegrouse predation pressure(Batterson and Morse 1948, Hamerstromet al. Sage grouse 1957, Lawrence1982, Riley et al. 1992). Averageclutch size for sage grousevaries from 6.6 to Addressfor MichaelA. Schroeder:Washington Department of Fishand Wildlife,P.O. Box 1077, Bridgeport,WA 98813, USA;e-mail: grouse@ televar.com.Address for RichardK. Baydack:Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba,Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada. Wildlife Society Bulletin 2001, 29(1):24-32 Peer refereed Predationand prairiegrouse * Schroederand Baydack 25 9.1 eggs, and the nest success ratevaries from 15 to 86% raven,and American crow (Corvusbrachyrynchos). (Wallestadand Pyrah1974, Connellyet al. 1993, Gregg Becausenest success is positivelycorrelated with the et al. 1994, Schroeder1997). Nest predatorsinclude presenceof relativelythick grass cover, activities such as groundsquirrel (Spermophilus spp.), badger(Taxidea grazingor hayingmay negativelyimpact nest success taxus),coyote (Canis latrans),and commonraven (Kohn 1976, Kirschet al. 1978, Marksand Marks1987, (Corvuscorax, Battersonand Morse 1948, Patterson Giesen and Connelly 1993) 1952, DeLong et al. 1995). Nest success is positively Primarypredators of sharp-tailedgrouse include coy- correlatedwith the presenceof big sagebrush(Artemisia ote, northerngoshawk (Accipiter gentilis), gyrfalcon tridentata)and relativelythick grass and forb cover (Falco rusticolus),rough-legged hawk (Buteo lagopus), (Connellyet al. 1991, Gregg et al. 1994, DeLong et al. Predator controllLs are rarely recommended for North 1995, Sveumet al. 1998). Americanprairie grouse, even for increasinglythreatened Consequently,improper man- agementof habitathas often and endangeredpopulations living in altered,isolated, or been implicatedin declinesin fragmentedhabitats. This is due to...factorsincluding the nest success (Trueblood lack of informationabout the long-termconsequences of 1954, Klebenow1969, Braun et al. 1977, Fischeret al. predatorcontrol, the relativelyhigh cost of predatorcon- 1996). trol,the protected status of many potential predators,and Primarypredators of sage grouseinclude golden eagle concerns about public attitudestoward predatorcontrol (Aquilachrysaetos), red- | tailed hawk (Buteojamaicensis), Swainson's hawk (B. northernharrier, red-tailed hawk, and greathorned owl swainsoni),ferruginous hawk (B. regalis),northern harri- (Bubovirginianus, Lano 1912, Gross 1930, Marshalland er (Circuscyaneus), common raven, weasel (A8ustela Jensen 1937, Blus 1967). Althoughmortality of juve- spp.), and coyote (Rasmussenand Griner1938, Scott niles is poorlydocumented, it appearsto be substantially 1942, Patterson1952, Dunkle 1977). Mortalityfor juve- greaterthan for breeding-agebirds (Ammann 1957, niles has been estimatedto be 63% duringthe first few Hillmanand Jackson1973, Connellyet al. 1998). weeks afterhatch (Wallestad 1975). Habitatalteration Annualmortality of breeding-agesharp-tailed grouse associatedwith grazing,drought, and wildfiremay variesfrom 17 to 55% (Robelet al. 1972, Moyles and increasethe rateof predationon juveniles,but the rela- Boag 1981, Giesen 1987, McDonald1998). Predation tionshipsare not clear (Battersonand Morse 1948, appearsto be particularlyimportant for breeding-age Klebenow1972). birdsduring the breedingseason (Bergerud1988, Annualmortality of breeding-agesage grousevaries McDonald1998). Predationalso may be substantialdur- from 55 to 75%for femalesand 38 to 60%for males; ing severewinters, particularly from avianpredators mortalityappears to be greaterin huntedpopulations (Ulliman1995, Connellyet al. 1998). (June 1963, Zablan1993, Connellyet al. 1994). Rela- tively little mortalityis causedby f1re,weather, and colli- Greaterprairie-chicken sions with wires, fences, andvehicles (Patterson1952, Averageclutch size for greaterprairie-chickens varies Dalke et al. 1963, Schroederet al. l999). Predation from 8.2 to 12.9 eggs and nest success ratefrom 22 to appearsto be particularlyimportant for femalesduring 65% (Yeatter1943, Ammann1957, Vanceand the incubationand brood-rearing seasons and for males Westemeier1979, Petersonand Silvy 1996). Nest preda- duringthe breedingseason (Patterson 1952, Schroederet tors includeground squirrel, badger, striped skunk, opos- al. 1999). Predationrate on breeding-agebirds may not sum (Didelphisvirginiana), raccoon (Procyon lotor), be influencedby harvestrate or habitat(Braun 1998). coyote,American crow, and fire ants (Solenopsisspp., Gross 1930, Lehmann1941, Bowen et al. 1976, Sharp-tailedgrouse Svedarsky1988). Nest success is greaterin areaswith Averageclutch size for sharp-tailedgrouse varies from relativelythick grassand forb cover (Yeatter1963, 10.9 to 12.3 eggs and nest success ratefrom 50 to 72Wo Bowen et al. 1976, Buhnerkempeet al. 1984, Lutzet al. (Hamerstrom1939, Hartet al. 1950, Ammann1957, 1994). Managementof habitatthat results in loss of Meints 1991). Nest predatorsinclude coyote, striped residualvegetation may resultin reducednest success skunk(Mephitis mephitis), ground squirrel, common (Lehmann1941, Arthaud1970, Kirschet al. 1973). 26 Wildlife Society Bulletin 2001, 29(1):24-32 red-tailedhawk, rough-legged hawk, ferruginoushawk, prairiefalcon (Falco mexicanus), greathorned owl, gold- en eagle, and northernharrier (Campbell 1950, Copelin 1963, Merchant1982, Haukos 1988, Giesen 1998). Juvenilemortality appears to be substantialduring the first few weeks afterhatch (Giesen 1998). Annualmor- tality of adultmale lesser prairie-chickensranges between35 and 45% (Campbell1972). Relativelysmall amountsof mortalityare causedby drowningand colli- sions with wires, fences, and vehicles (Campbell1972, Sell 1979, Merchant1982). Thereis little informationon the annualdistribution of predationpressure (Giesen 1998). Greaterprairie-chicken nest in northeasternColorado. Researchon prairiegrouse has demonstrateda relationshipbetween nest success Predationand life history and habitatquality. Most prairiegrouse are eventuallykilled by predators (Bergerud1988). Predationhas the potentialto affect the Primarypredators of greaterprairie-chickens include annuallife cycle in 3 primaryways: 1) success of nests, red-tailedhawk, northern goshawk, rough-legged hawk, 2) survivalof juveniles duringthe f1rstfew weeks after broad-wingedhawk (Buteo platypterus), northernharrier,