ABSTRACT
Spruce grouse inhabit conifer forests over much of the boreal and northcentral montane regions of North America. A census of this species is central to any research problems relating either to its population biology or to its management for harvest purposes. With the onset of snow cover in late autumn, spruce grouse form loose flocks that remain relatively sedentary and largely arboreal, feeding on conifer browse, throughout the winter. The area on which the population of spruce grouse is to be counted can be traversed on foot along a series of compass-oriented transects, the distance between them being related to the nature of the census aids. Such a procedure will give an estimate of total birds present. Among spruce grouse, mortality among the resident population occurs mainly during summer. These birds can all be located by listening at intervals throughout the study area.
