The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is rolling out a new tool designed to analyze sage grouse populations.
SCOUT, or sage-grouse cluster ordering by unified trend assessment, is a tool that analyzes annual sage grouse lek activity and uses the data to build adaptive management strategies. Data collected through SCOUT will be added to historic data, allowing the department to assess population trends at state and local levels.
WGFD monitors about 90% of occupied sage grouse leks, the agency said, which are found throughout most of the state.
SCOUT data and historic data will allow the department to identify sage grouse population clusters that are performing better or worse than others, detecting opportunities for management changes.
“Identifying where we can optimize management opportunities will allow the state of Wyoming to prioritize strategies through targeted habitat treatments or other land-use policy decisions within these areas,” said WGFD Director Angi Bruce. — Anna Miller Fortozo, WLJ managing editor
