Minnesota Ag Connection - Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Prairie Chicken Hunters Can Send Samples

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Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Prairie Chicken Hunters Can Send Samples
Minnesota Ag Connection - 08/30/2016

Sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chicken hunters can voluntarily submit samples for study by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Ongoing DNR research is assessing prairie grouse exposure to chemicals called neonicotinoids. These are pesticides that, once applied, can move throughout a plant. Neonicotinoids are commonly applied to seeds before planting.

"In this study, we're assessing whether prairie grouse have been exposed to neonicotinoids by eating treated seeds, and other means," said Charlotte Roy, DNR grouse project leader.

Hunters can voluntarily submit whole frozen liver, breast muscle tissue, or entire carcasses from harvested sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens in zip-close type bags, along with the location where the bird was harvested (GPS coordinates preferred). GPS locations and personal data will not be made public.

Samples should be stored frozen in a sealed plastic bag after harvest and dropped off at a local DNR wildlife office by appointment during regular business hours. Visit the DNR office locator to find a local office.

Funding for this year's project is provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

Last year, DNR researchers were collecting wing samples for a study on grouse and prairie chicken movement.

"Although wing collection for the movement study has ended, we would be happy to keep collecting wings that we can archive for future studies," Roy said.

Wings should be sent in paper envelopes with the location of harvest to Eric Nelson, with specific instructions and more information available on the grouse hunting page, or by calling Nelson at 218-203-4336.

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