Welcome to the interactive web schedule for the 2019 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference! Please note, this event has passed. To return to the main Conference website, go to: www.midwestfw.org.
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CONFERENCE SCHEDULE UPDATES & CHANGES: As a result of the prolonged government shutdown, we experienced a number of cancellations and changes to the schedule. Cancellations and changes are listed here (as of January 26, 2019).
AUTHORS. Jeffrey Williams, Benjamin Tjepkes, Joseph Quehl, Brandon Rochefort, Rachel Martin, Dr. Jason Riddle – University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
ABSTRACT. Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) are an important game bird in the Great Lakes region. Males perform a unique drumming display atop fallen logs to attract females and maintain their territory. We aim to evaluate drumming log selection in northern Wisconsin as part of a UW-Stevens Point Wildlife Society research project. Auditory drumming surveys were conducted between the months of March and May of 2016 and 2017 to locate used logs. We plan to use the Sound Mapping Tools ArcGIS toolbox to assess where the sound of the drumming is being heard, while accounting for several biotic and abiotic factors. Then we will compare the area of sound propagation of these points to random points throughout the property. Using these methods, we hope to see whether ruffed grouse are selecting drumming logs for their acoustic value. This information will be used to better understand how drumming logs are selected by male ruffed grouse.
