Sage grouse return to leks in eastern Idaho

Hundreds of male sage grouse gather for annual mating ritual

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Outdoor writer Bill Schiess observed over 100 male sage grouse displaying and fighting for dominance at a lek near Dubois, Wyoming. While no females were present yet, the males were already gathering and performing their iconic mating rituals. Schiess also spotted a herd of 47 bull elk passing through the lek, demonstrating the diverse wildlife activity in the area during this time of year.

Why it matters

Sage grouse populations have declined significantly in recent decades due to habitat loss and other factors, making their annual mating rituals an important event to observe and monitor. These leks provide a glimpse into the intricate social dynamics and behaviors of this iconic Western bird species.

The details

Schiess arrived at the lek along Yale/Kilgore Road east of Dubois before sunrise and waited patiently as the male sage grouse began flying in and gathering on the breeding ground. Over the course of the morning, the number of males grew to over 100 as they engaged in displays, fights, and feeding. At one point, a herd of 47 bull elk passed directly through the lek, causing the grouse to temporarily stop their mating rituals.

  • Schiess arrived at the lek by 5:30 a.m. on February 28, 2026.
  • The first male sage grouse began arriving and displaying around 6:05 a.m.
  • By sunrise, there were around 80 male grouse on the lek.
  • Over 100 males were present by the time the sun was fully up.
  • The herd of 47 bull elk passed through the lek around 7:15 a.m.

The players

Bill Schiess

An outdoor writer who observed the sage grouse lek near Dubois, Wyoming.

Sage grouse

A species of ground-dwelling bird found in the western United States, known for their elaborate mating rituals on leks.

Trumpeter swans

A large species of swan that migrates through the area, their calls heard by Schiess at the lek.

Horned larks

A small songbird species that was observed flying in and out of the sage grouse lek.

Pronghorns

A species of antelope native to North America that visited the lek area.

Bull elk

A herd of 47 bull elk that passed directly through the sage grouse lek.

Golden eagle

A raptor species that appeared near the lek, causing the sage grouse to disperse.

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What’s next

Schiess expects the female sage grouse to start visiting the lek in the next two to three weeks, once the males have established their dominance hierarchy.

The takeaway

The annual sage grouse mating rituals on leks provide a unique window into the behaviors and social dynamics of this iconic Western bird species, which faces ongoing conservation challenges. Observing these events can help raise awareness and appreciation for sage grouse and the diverse wildlife found in eastern Idaho.