325 | Conserving Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat in Wisconsin with Mike Amman

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Leisure, Science, Sports, Nature, Hobbies, Wilderness

4.8 • 971 Ratings

🗓️ 25 July 2025

⏱️ 65 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson is joined by Mike Amman, a County Forester in Wisconsin, to discuss the evolving landscapes of the state's upland habitats, with a particular focus on sharp-tailed grouse populations, habitat management, and conservation efforts. Mike shares his extensive experience working with county forests, overseeing land management practices that support both wildlife conservation and sustainable forestry. This episode also focuses on Mike’s involvement and the exciting developments surrounding a limited hunting season for sharp-tailed grouse this fall. Mike Amman is a County Forester with over 22 years of experience working in forest management across Wisconsin’s public and private lands. His expertise includes habitat restoration, wildlife management, and timber production, particularly within the context of county forest systems. Mike is also an active board member of the Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse Society, a group dedicated to the conservation of sharp-tailed grouse populations and the unique barrens habitat of northwest Wisconsin. His commitment to preserving wildlife habitats while balancing sustainable forestry practices makes him an invaluable resource for land management in the region. Expect to Learn How Mike Amman manages and conserves county forest land in Wisconsin. The role of prescribed burns and mechanical treatments in restoring and maintaining sharp-tailed grouse habitat. Insights into the Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse Society and its conservation efforts. The impact of forest fragmentation and land ownership changes on wildlife habitat. Why sharp-tailed grouse populations are thriving in some areas and the challenges involved in maintaining sustainable harvests for hunting seasons. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps [00:00:00] - Introduction [00:01:36] - A Day in the Life of a County Forester [00:05:46] - Major Differences in the Forest over time [00:18:00] - Fabric from Wood Fiber- Tencel [00:29:12] - 100+ Dancing Males on a Lek [00:38:11] - Give or Take Event [00:42:18] - Trips Out West Spur Mike’s Interest in Sharp-tailed Grouse [00:48:46] - Considerations for Bird Dog Training [00:52:32] - Observation Tool For Sharp-tailed Grouse Sightings [00:56:56] - Learn More about the onX Hunt WI Game Bird Layer [00:03:18] - How to Connect with Mike Follow Guest Mike LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-amman-a361a62a/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grouseweims/ Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse Society: https://www.wisharptails.org/ Follow Host Nick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xnicklarsonx/ Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdshot.podcast/?hl=en Listening Links Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609 YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/@birdshotpodcast8302 SUPPORT | http://www.patreon.com/birdshot Use Promo Code | BSP20 to save 20% on https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app Use Promo Code | BS10 to save 10% on https://trulockchokes.com/ The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By: https://www.onxmaps.com/

Transcript

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0:00.0	I would say land ownership patterns have changed quite a bit. Historically, there was a lot of paper company land, timber company land in northern Wisconsin, and that's drying up like crazy. It's just getting sold in the smaller parcels. We've added probably 15,000 acres in the last 15 years to the county forest. Is there a sense of what is driving the population growth that cracks metal? Habitat, habitat, habitat quality. That's like the nuance of the birds require an open landscape. Okay, what does that mean? So the quality of habitat, it got a lot better. And what that means is if somebody doesn't know what a barons is. Yeah, the baron system is what they call a globally imperiled system. And it's unique to like very droughty soils. I mean, it's very rare. They exist in small areas around the country.
0:38.5	And Wisconsin has Barron's in northeast Wisconsin.
0:41.2	And it's a very diverse landscape.
0:42.9	Barron's habitat is one of the most under threat habitat types like nationwide.
0:46.7	And so there is a larger call to action around Barron's habitat for some other bird species.
0:51.5	There's been a lack of information on... Hey, everyone.
1:02.1	Nick Larson here, host of the Bird Shop Podcast,
1:04.7	the show where we go beyond the flush
1:06.5	to explore the full upland hunting experience
1:08.8	with guests from all across the uplands,
1:11.5	from shotguns to bird dogs to habitat and conservation and the traditions that connect all of us
1:16.8	to a life of field.
1:18.2	The Birdshop podcast is presented by Onyx Hunt and supported by folks just like you via our
1:23.5	Patreon community.
1:25.1	If you want to stay up to date and not miss any of our upcoming episodes, be sure to
1:28.8	subscribe and follow the show in your podcast player or YouTube wherever you're listening
1:33.5	or watching today.
1:34.6	Go ahead and tap that button.
1:36.3	Thank you for doing so.
1:37.8	And with that said, let's get into today's conversation on the Birdshot podcast.
1:43.1	Welcome Mike and Aldo to the Birdshot podcast. Welcome back,
1:47.2	buddy. Yeah, good to be here. Oh, where do we start, my friend? You're a county forester in
	...

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