View strutting sage grouse on April 12

PRICE — The sound that male sage-grouse make, as they "strut" on their breeding grounds, is one of the most unique things you'll ever hear in nature.

A male sage-grouse, or cock, performs his strutting ritual.

And the sight of the grouse strutting is pretty unique too!

You can hear and watch this ritual yourself at a free wildlife viewing event. The event will happen April 12 at Emma Park, about 13 miles north of Price.

The Division of Wildlife Resources is sponsoring the event.

To see and hear the spectacle, you need to be at the viewing site early. Viewing is best before sunrise and just after the sun has risen. Grouse leave their strutting ground within an hour or so after sun up.

After leaving their breeding ground, the grouse spend the daylight hours feeding and resting in stands of sagebrush. They remain mostly out-of-sight until the following morning, when they congregate at their strutting ground at first light.

DWR biologists will be on hand with spotting scopes and binoculars. They'll help you find the grouse and answer any questions you have.

Directions:

• From the Wasatch Front, travel east on US-6 from Spanish Fork. At the top of Price Canyon, look for the Emma Park sign, and turn left onto the Emma Park Road. Travel east until you see vehicles with the state of Utah seal on their doors.
• To get to Emma Park from Price, travel north on US-6 to the Castle Gate power plant. Turn right onto US-191, and travel northeast about six miles to the Bamberger Monument. From there, turn left onto the Emma Park Road, and travel west until you see parked state vehicles.

For more information, call Brent Stettler at (435) 613-3707 or (435) 613-3700.