Sharp-tailed Grouse

[Becky]

Incredible shots 

[Chase 1]

Wow, I mean wow! Great pics Shawn! 

[Arrow Head]

Wow, awesome shots!

[popeshawnpaul]

Wow, that' is an awesome photo!

If you do not mind me asking what did you shoot that with?

The sharpie shots were Canon 5D3 with 600 II.  The sooty shot was probably a 7D with 500mm F4 L IS.  Thanks all!

[Alchase]

Talk about an instant heart attack. Not sure which would give me a heart attack first, the price of that 600 II or carrying it around all day, lol

Man it would be worth it!

[BiggLuke]

wow... beautiful shots.
makes me wanna get better

[huntnphool]

Very nice Shawn

[quadrafire]

There was an article in the Spokane paper sunday about the sharp-tail and the sage.
In the Leks where blinds are placed, it is suggested to be in the blind by 3am and not to leave until after 10:30 or so to not disturb the mating rituals.
Is this the same where you shoot pope?

[memmons]

Amazing pictures! 

[wilsongideon]

those are excellent pictures wow, neat birds

[popeshawnpaul]

There was an article in the Spokane paper sunday about the sharp-tail and the sage.
In the Leks where blinds are placed, it is suggested to be in the blind by 3am and not to leave until after 10:30 or so to not disturb the mating rituals.
Is this the same where you shoot pope?

Yeah, there are guidelines and I suggest nobody do this unless you are with someone that has done this before.  There were trespassers reported this year and the WDFW is actively seeking these people.  It's important to remember sharp-tailed grouse are endangered and sage are threatened.  If you do something deemed "harassment" then you subject yourself to criminal exposure.  There are tons of public leks in Montana, Idaho, and Oregon that are easy to see, even from a car so I suggest people look those leks up.  There are festivals in Idaho and other states for this purpose with photo blinds, etc.  I visited Oklahoma last year on a festival and shot images of lesser and greater prairie chickens on lek at a festival.  They are set up for you and in good position, saving the leg work.

The actual blind doesn't bother them at all.  They look at it as a big rock or bush.  They are more disturbed by cars or people a half mile away than the blind 10 feet from them.  Noise will disturb the grouse, especially if there aren't females on lek to take the attention.  As a general rule, sage grouse are active all night when there is decent moonlight.  They will stay on the lek all night so no matter the time you get into the lek you will disturb them.  However, if it is in the dark they often aren't sure what the disturbance is and come back.  If they can see it was human disturbance, they will often not return to the lek.  On a dark evening or overcast night, they come into the blind about an hour and a half before daylight.  In these circumstances you can often slip in 2 hours before light or more.  On moonlit bright evenings, I prefer to sleep in the blind.  However, they do come on the lek the evening before at about sunset or slightly before/after.  So, you must be in an hour before sunset.  Yes, it can be taxing and a long cold night in March.

There are a lot of tricks to doing it and doing it right.  I strongly suggest you attend a festival or do it with someone that experienced and has proper access. 

[popeshawnpaul]

[quadrafire]

WOW!!
I had no idea. And don't plan to do it. So you keep taking these awsome shots for us to enjoy.