What's Not to lek? 2016

BLM didn't have funding to conduct Sage Grouse research this year but, luckily, I was asked to help with a similar project in another part of the state. After stopping to visit family in Three Forks

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and pay my respects to the Blue Pony, star of the 2013 edition

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I headed east on I-90 and hung a left just past the Crazies

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Mountains get a bit smaller further up the road, but no less interesting (don't know what I hit to remove the color)

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Camera did the same thing again when I got into town; weird

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I know I'm gonna eat healthy here

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First morning out

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and the grouse were up and at it (best single day count I've ever had). No pics of Sage but a few Sharpies were willing to pose

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Poking around some beautiful country (Black Butte does tend to dominate)

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a real lean-to

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Had a couple warm days to stir up the critters

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but luckily, no buzz-worms

Project lead didn't just want visual sightings so we poked around in the sage to see what we could find

scat

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feathers

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and the mother lode; she flushed 15 feet in front of us, making it easy to find the nest

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Some mouth-breathing knuckle dragger's idea of "sport", popping off Rough-Legs; we did provide the coords to FWP

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more posers

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more scenery

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last morning out; didn't score a grouse nest but spooked a mama Horned Lark and found how she spent her day

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Burrowing Owls moving in on the prairie dogs

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plenty of wind to keep these in the rotation

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looks like the Snowies need a haircut

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Regards,
Scott

Thanks for the pictures, Scott - great country.

Nice photos, Scott. In what state did you take them?

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Originally Posted by lastchance

In what state did you take them?

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Bruce,

A state of confusion. Actually, it's central Montana.

Regards,
Scott

Very nice..... cool report...

Scott,
AS to "what state.....", I tried to deduce as would Sherlock but you threw me with the " East on 90 and then left". From Virginia, that's goin toward Maine etc. and the terrain just didn't jive.
So much for deducin.

Mark

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

AS to "what state.....", I tried to deduce as would Sherlock but you threw me with the " East on 90 and then left". From Virginia, that's goin toward Maine etc. and the terrain just didn't jive.
So much for deducin.

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Mark,

Solid reasoning, but I started this trip out of Whitefish so I was coming from the west.

Regards,
Scott

Scott -

I really enjoy your pictures and reports. Especially when I am stuck here in PA for several more weeks before heading to MT.

John

John,

Thanks. Not sure about P Valley, but early spring bumped flows on rivers in the west side, sending a lot of rigs with 4 plates up to the tailwaters. Seems like a precursor to official runoff but it's going to warm up again next week and that might really get things going. By the time you get out here you might find some (relatively) clear water; maybe get some decent fishing up top for the big bugs.

Regards,
Scott

Have my 4th and last lek count of 2016 on Gunnisons next week. Had some awesome photo ops Monday morning, only to discover I had neglected to put a card in the camera. Oh well. And I am getting too old to sleep in a pickup out in the sage overnight just so I can be there before first light.

Some older pics...

Transplant bird to boost the small local population, radio and handcuff included.
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...IMG_2129lc.jpg

Get offa my lek!
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...IMG_1870lc.jpg

GPS tracker to help us find new leks...
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...P1020480lc.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScottP

John,

Thanks. Not sure about P Valley, but early spring bumped flows on rivers in the west side, sending a lot of rigs with 4 plates up to the tailwaters. Seems like a precursor to official runoff but it's going to warm up again next week and that might really get things going. By the time you get out here you might find some (relatively) clear water; maybe get some decent fishing up top for the big bugs.

Regards,
Scott

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Same thing happening across the state from what I hear. Snowpack went down 20% in our area in a matter of days. Hope there is enough left to keep water in the rivers all summer. We will be there before end of May in any case.

You know I have a boat and am always available for fishing if you are in our area (I can also travel some to other rivers in the area).

John

John,

Thank you for the generous offer; I'll definitely let you know if I'm coming over to your neck of the woods this year. Never have rowed a driftboat, maybe I could take a turn on the sticks thru Yankee Jim (kidding).

Regards,
Scott

Magnificent photographs! Wife and I are planning a trip to Montana later this year. This is a good earth level preview. Thanks for sharing.