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Breeding Range. (Fig. 54). Restricted to southern portions of the Little Missouri Slope where it is distributed as follows: common in the western half of Bowman County; locally common in the western third of Slope County; uncommon and local in the southern half of Golden Valley County and in the southern half of Billings County; rare and local in the northern half of Golden Valley County, in the northern half of Billings County, and in central Slope County.

Dancing grounds have been reported at a number of sites throughout its range. In 1964, 18 active grounds contained an average of 15.8 males per ground, and in 1973, 17 active grounds contained an average of 17.3 males per ground; the largest dancing ground, located in Bowman County, was used by an average of 52 males during 1970-1974 (Kobriger 1974). The northernmost dancing ground, at least during recent years, was located in 1960 and 1961, about 10 miles north of the town of Sentinel Butte (E. Bry). During the early 1960's, the statewide population was estimated to be between 3,000 and 4,000 birds (Johnson 1964).

Breeding Habitat. Scrub prairie dominated by a semiopen growth of black sage represents the primary breeding habitat for Sage Grouse. Other dominating plant species, often occurring as common associates, include silver sage and prickly-pear cactus. Adjoining agricultural fields including alfalfa hayfields and croplands are also used to a considerable extent.

Nesting. Breeding season: Mid-March to early August; peak, early May to mid-July. Dancing ground activities generally begin about mid-March and continue into May with the peak occurring in April (Kobriger 1974). On May 15, 1916, two eggs were collected in Bowman County, 9 miles south and 4 miles east of Rhame (North Dakota Historical Society Museum). Broods were recorded in Bowman County as follows: eight small young on June 6, 1964 (RES), ten large young on June 27, 1971 (P. F. Springer), and a brood on July 28, 1966 (RES). In Slope County near Marmarth, an adult and two small young were seen in late May 1928 (R. Reid). In Billings County, a brood of four young was reported in the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park during late July 1955 (E. Brooks).

On the basis of wing feather characteristics, the hatching dates of 299 immature birds shot during the hunting seasons of 1966-1973 were determined as ranging from the week of May 15-21 through the week of July 10- 16, and the peak occurred during June 5- 11 (Kobriger 1974).

Figure 54. Breeding Range of Sage Grouse.

Sage Grouse on dancing ground. Slope County, May 1973 (photo by James Smorada).