Reserve your place for a chance to see the sharp-tailed grouse from our viewing blind. It will require early rising, a walk in, and possibly cold toes but the sight and sound of sharp-tailed grouse dancing on a lek (dancing/breeding ground) is one of nature's true spectacles. Males stomp their feet as fast as they can, causing their tails to rattle. At the same time they inflate purple neck sacks, called gular, which produce a unique sound. Meanwhile the females sit back and watch carefully to select their mate. The romance is fleeting and the hen will be left to raise the young on her own. Couple this show with the early morning light of dawn and you have the backdrop for a wonderful and unforgettable morning.
How to Make a Reservation
If you would like to view this spectacular event you can reserve one or two days in the Sharp-tailed Grouse Observation Blind by contacting Sara Giles at Sara_Giles@fws.gov or calling 906-586-9851 x10. Reservations may be made April 1 to May 14. All other dates are first come first served basis. The blind holds two people comfortably, but up to three can fit. The best time to view the grouse is at first light.
Directions to the Blind
You can access the blind on the north end of the Refuge by driving M-28 west of Seney to the Driggs River Road. At that point you will need to drive south to the parking area just across the bridge. You can access the blind by walking east along the Diversion Ditch to the blind. The walk is approximately one mile. We would like to continue to allow the use of the sharp-tailed grouse observation blind to allow the public to view these birds. To do so we ask that visitors respect the birds and disturb them as little as possible.
Map to the Site
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