The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has called for public feedback on its draft status review for the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. In a report that was made public, the recommendation to maintain the bird on the state's endangered species list is emphasized, given its critically low numbers. The population has hit an all-time low, prompting this review to keep the species classified as endangered. The public comment period remains open until January 28, 2025, according to a release provided by WDFW.
WDFW's sharp-tailed grouse species lead, Michael Atamian stated, "Since their listing and even before, multiple partners and organizations have made great efforts toward Columbian sharp-tailed grouse recovery." Efforts for recovery include population augmentations by translocations and habitat restoration. "However, after multiple impactful wildfires between 2018 and 2021, the estimated population of this once-abundant species has dropped to its lowest point ever," Atamian told WDFW.
Interested individuals can submit their insights via email or traditional mail to WDFW, or peruse the full draft of the periodic status review on the department's website. In a commitment to inclusivity, WDFW extends this invitation to all members of the public, regardless of their various backgrounds or identities. More details about the public comment process are available on the WDFW's dedicated page.
After the public comment period concludes, Taylor Cotten, the WDFW conservation assessment section manager, said, "Following the public comment period, we will finalize the periodic status review and brief the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on the recommendation." As decided during the spring of 2025, the Commission will consider this recommendation. Struggling against the backdrop of habitat loss and decline, the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse remains a conservation concern, whose variegated courtship dances at traditional lek sites remains a rare wildlife spectacle in North America.
Due to habitat conversion of grasslands and shrubsteppe, the grouse has been in decline for an extended period, with populations dwindling to less than 500 individuals statewide. The bird was last legally hunted in Washington in 1987 and was put on the threatened species list in 1998 before being upgraded to endangered in 2018. WDFW continues to evaluate data to make informed decisions concerning the classifications of at-risk species, an ongoing part of their mission to resource conservation while also offering sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities.
