Gunnison Sage-grouse Viewing
Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site: Groups and Commercial Users

The Gunnison Sage-grouse is a seriously imperiled species and highly vulnerable to human disturbance. Sisk-a-dee, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Western State College of Colorado, and the Gunnison Sage-grouse Working Group are actively managing the Waunita Watchable Wildlife site to minimize the impacts of viewing the birds. Sisk-a-dee has led the effort to create a Watchable Wildlife program to manage public and commercial grouse viewing in the Gunnison Basin. Please help us make this a quality viewing experience for you and other birders by following the protocol. Thank you for your efforts and enjoy the rare and beautiful dance of the Gunnison Sage-grouse!

Where to see them:
All commercial users must make a reservation through Sisk-a-dee to view the Gunnison Sage-grouse at the Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site. Reservations are taken beginning on January 1 the year prior to viewing (e.g., you may reserve the viewing trailer on January 1, 2008 for the 2009 viewing season). All commercial groups are escorted to the watchable wildlife trailer by Sisk-a-dee volunteers. A fee is required for use of the watchable wildlife trailer.

When to see them:
Gunnison Sage-grouse predictably use the Waunita Lek. Turn north on County Road 887 (Waunita Hot Springs Road) and go 0.6 miles to a small pull-off where you can view the birds. The lek is located to the east of the road in the open meadow (see map). This observation point offers a good view of the birds through binoculars and spotting scopes and is far enough away from the lek to minimize disturbance to the birds. Spotting scopes are highly recommended. The lek is located on private property, but the pull-off is a Colorado Division of Wildlife managed Watchable Wildlife site. The site is open April 1st through May 10th.

Viewing Trailer

• The trailer is to be used by groups with reservations only. To make a group reservation contact Sisk-a-dee at 970-641-3959. A $100 fee is required. A $50 cancelation fee applies to all groups who cancel or change their reservations after March 15.
• All groups will be escorted to the viewing trailer at the Waunita Watchable Wildlife site at least 1 hour before sunrise. See the table below for sunrise times.
• Remain as quiet as possible: NO radios, cell phones, horn honking, van door slamming or other automobile noises. An outhouse is available at the site for use after the grouse depart their lek.  
• Once inside the trailer do not leave until the birds have ended their displays and have departed from the lek. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes.
• Do not drop anything inside of the trailer. This will disturb the birds and they might flush.
• Remain very quiet; if you do talk keep your voices to a whisper.
• When the sun illuminates the trailer please remain very still. The grouse can see you and become nervous by your presence.
• Protocols are enforced by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). Any person deviating from these protocols is suspect to a wildlife violation and fine.
• Commercial use of the Waunita Watchable Wildlife site requires a permit form the CDOW. All commercial users with reservations are covered under Sisk-a-dee's permit.
• Contact Matt Thorpe, Colorado Division of Wildlife, at 970-641-7885 or Sisk-a-dee at 970-641-3959 for more information.

Gunnison Sunrises
Times are adjusted for daylight saving which begins March 8, 2009.