I decided to try for the Sharp-tailed Grouse at Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area in Burnett County. This bird is considered a Special Concern species in Wisconsin. They have a blind and I got on this idea back in March when they were available to book. A very nice program they have to see this species. I need the Sharp-tailed Grouse for a Wisconsin life bird and this is one way to try for it. I asked Jacob C. if he wanted to come along and he jumped at the opportunity. What is required for this blind opportunity is you must be in the blind at 4:30 am as they want you in your blind 1 hour before sun up so you are settled in when the birds come to the area for their courtship displays at sunrise. The birds showing up to me, this is never a given with wildlife. So we went up a day early and did some scouting around at Namekagon WA which is about 6,500 acres. Just walking around we raised 4 birds, watched them fly off to other areas, it was very exciting. We also wanted to try for them a day early as a 95 percent chance of rain was predicted for the next morning. The next morning we walked 15-20 minute walk in the dark to the blind just before 4:30 am. All of the sudden around 5:30 just getting light 17 birds showed up and they were making a ton of noise and a lot of action too doing their thing. It was very low light at that time but a couple photos were captured as it started to rain. As the rain came, the birds stood still, the displaying was over. The just stood there for about 15 minutes. All of the sudden they all flew off the it was game over. We hung around for over an hour but the birds never returned. We felt the event was complete other than great photos of some of the action as it was too dark when the show was on. The experience was complete because we heard all the displaying sounds, we saw the action, we experienced the walking the land and kicking up a few birds a day earlier which anyone would do walking a wildlife area. I got my Wisconsin life bird #390. It was a couple cold days of high in the low 50’s with steady 8-9 mile an hour winds out of the east Sunday day 1, and Monday a little less winds but wet and cold early morning. Images were taken on April 4, 2026.
A couple of the 17 Sharp-tailed Grouse…
Another…
The blind…
Viewing area…
