Restoration of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse into northeastern Oregon

Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) have declined ≥90% in abundance and distribution during the 20th century. I collected information on reintroduction projects in 21 states to ascertain factors influencing prairie grouse restoration in the last 50 years. More release attempts were reported for the 1990s ( n = 14) than the previous 3 decades (n = 13) combined. The highest odds of success was associated with projects soft-releasing ≥100 grouse for ≥4 years during spring (P < 0.05).; A total of 179 Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (82 females, 97 males) from 15 leks in southeastern Idaho was translocated to 2 sites in Wallowa County in northeastern Oregon, from 1991 to 1997. Sixty-five birds (26 females, 39 males) were radio-tagged to determine how home ranges, movements, dispersal, habitat use, and survival are affected by reintroduction. Days in captivity was associated with weight loss (r2 = 0.278, P = 0.0001). Fixed kernel home ranges did not differ between sex or sites (P > 0.05), but movements and dispersal patterns differed between sex, ages, and sites (P ≤ 0.05). Yearling females moved farther the first 30 days post-release than males or adult females (P = 0.001). Adult males at Clear Lake Ridge moved farther than adult males at the Leap Area (P = 0.001). Males dispersed northeast, females southeast (P ≤ 0.05). Clear Lake Ridge birds were relocated in native bunchgrasses, Leap Area birds within a mosaic of native bunchgrass and Conservation Reserve Program cover. Survival functions were greater for males than females; birds were killed more by avian than mammalian predators (P ≤ 0.002). A bird's release weight, movements, and lek behavior affected post-release survival. Birds captured from the same lek and released first in an area increased lek-formation ( P = 0.0051).; Population persistence models predicted that the population of birds reintroduced in NE Oregon would decline to extinction within 20 years. Simulated populations persisted when female mortality rates were ≤67%, but required ≥100 years to reach a population of 1,000 birds. Lek formation among reintroduced males is important in determining female mortality rates and population persistence because males and females associated with leks moved less and showed higher survival probabilities.