Publications

Local Working Group Annual Reports

Small, Justin R., "Greater Sage-Grouse and Community Responses to Strategies to Mitigate Environmental Resistance in an Anthropogenic Altered Sagebrush Landscape" (2021). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 8042. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/8042
Kade D. Lazenby, P.S. Coates, S.T. O’Neil, M.T. Kohl, and D.K. Dahlgren. 2021. Nesting, brood rearing, and summer habitat selection by translocated greater sage-grouse in North Dakota, USA. Ecology and Evolution 11(6) doi/full/10.1002/ece3.7228
Howell, R.G.; Jensen, R.R.; Petersen, S.L.; Larsen, R.T. Measuring Height Characteristics of Sagebrush (Artemisia sp.) Using Imagery Derived from Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS). Drones 2020, 4, 6. https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/4/1/6
Simona Picardi, T. Messmer, B. Crabb, M. Kohl, D. Dahlgren, N. Frey, R. Larsen, and R. Baxter. 2020. Predicting greater sage-grouse habitat selection at the southern periphery of their range. Ecology and Evolution DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6950.
David C. Stoner, T. A. Messmer, R.T. Larsen, S.N. Frey, M.T. Kohl, E.T. Thacker, and D.K. Dahlgren. 2020. Using satellite-derived estimates of plant phenological rhythmsto predict sage-grouse nesting chronology. Ecology and Evolution DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6758.
Chelak, M.S., A.A. Cook, D.D. Frame, and T.A. Messmer. 2020. Aspergillosis in an augmented greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population in central Utah: a case report. Western North American Naturalist 80(4):547-550.
Dahlgren, D.K., T.A. Messmer, B.A. Crabb, M.T. Kohl, S.N. Frey, E.T. Thacker, R.T. Larsen, and R.J. Baxter. 2019. Sage-Grouse Breeding and Lage Brood-Rearing Habitat Guidelines in Utah. Wildlife Society Bulletin 1–14; DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1029
Riginos, C., T. A. Monaco, K. E. Veblen, K. Gunnell, E. Thacker, D. Dahlgren, and T. Messmer. 2019. Potential for post-fire recovery of Greater Sage-grouse habitat. Ecosphere 10(11):e02870. 10.1002/ecs2.2870
Belton, L. and T. Thompson. 2019. Utah's Sage-Grouse Habitat Mitigation Program. Utah State University Extension Fact Sheet, NR/Wildlife/2019-02pr.
Proett, M, S. B. Roberts, J.S. Horne, D. N. Koons, and T.A. Messmer. 2019. Columbian Sharp‐Tailed Grouse Nesting Ecology: Wind Energy and Habitat. The Journal of Wildlife Management 83:1214–1225; 2019; DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21673
Kohl M.T., T.A. Messmer, B.A. Crabb, M.R. Guttery, D.K. Dahlgren, R.T. Larsen, et al. (2019) The
effects of electric power lines on the breeding ecology of greater sage-grouse. PLoS ONE 14(1):e0209968. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209968
Dettenmaier, Seth J. 2018. Effects of Livestock Grazing Management Practices on Greater Sage-grouse Nest and Female Survival. Ph. D. Dissertation, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
Messmer, T.A. 2018. Sage-grouse Conservation and Management in Utah. A Summary of Greater Sage-grouse Research Framework for Utah's Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Strategy, 1996-2018.
Dettenmaier, S.J., T.A. Messmer, T.J. Hovick, and D.K. Dahlgren. 2017. Effects of livestock grazing on rangeland biodiversity: A meta-analysis of grouse populations. Ecology and Evolution DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3287
Belton, L.R., S.N. Frey, and D.K. Dahlgren. 2017. Participatory Research in Sage-grouse Local Working Groups: Case Studies from Utah. Human-Wildlife Interactions 11(3):287-301.
Cook, A.A., T.A. Messmer, and M.R. Guttery. 2017. Greater Sage-grouse Use of Mechanical Conifer Reduction Treatments in Northwest Utah. Wildlife Society Bulletin 41:27-33.
Flack, M.B. 2017. Ecology of Greater Sage-Grouse Inhabiting the Southern Portion of the Rich-Morgan-Summit Sage-Grouse Management Area. All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 6899. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6899
Sandford, C.P., M.T. Kohl, T.A. Messmer, D.K. Dahlgren, A.Cook, and B.R. Wing. 2017. Greater Sage-grouse Resource Selection Drives Reproductive Fitness Under a Conifer Removal Strategy. Rangeland Ecology & Management 70(1):59-67.
Smith, J.T., J.D. Tack, K.E. Doherty, B.W. Allred, J.D. Maestas, L.I. Berkeley, S.J. Dettenmaier, T.A. Messmer, and D.E. Naugle. 2017. Phenology largely explains taller grass at successful nests in greater sage-grouse. Ecology and Evolution DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3679.
Dahlgren, D.K., T.A. Messmer, and E.T. Thacker. 2016. Considerations for Sage-grouse Management Objectives. Utah State University Extension Fact Sheet.
Dulfon, N.E. 2016. Sagebrush Ecology of Parker Mountain, Utah. Master's Thesis, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
Dahlgren, D.K., M.R. Guttery, T.A. Messmer, D. Caudill, R.D. Elmore, R. Chi, and D.N. Koons. 2016. Warranted But Precluded: Evaluating Vital-Rate Contributions to Greater Sage-Grouse Population Dynamics to Inform Conservation. Ecosphere 3: e01249.
Dahlgren, D.K., T.A. Messmer, B.A. Crabb, R.T. Larsen, T.A. Black, S.N. Frey, E.T. Thacker, R.J. Baxter, and J.D. Robinson. 2016. Seasonal Movements of Greater Sage-grouse Populations in Utah: Implications for Species Conservation. Wildlife Society Bulletin DOI: 10.1002/wsb.643 pdf file
Gruber-Hadden, Natasha W., T.A. Messmer, B.D. Maxfield, D.N. Koons, and M.R. Guttery. 2016. Population Vital Rates of Resident and Translocated Female Greater Sage-Grouse. J. Wildlife Management DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.1062. pdf file
Caudill, D., T.M. Terhune, B. Bibles, and T.A. Messmer. 2016. Factors affecting seasonal movements of juvenile greater sage-grouse: a reconceptualized next survival model. The Condor 118:139-147. pdf file
Hansen, E.P., A.C. Stewart, and S.N. Frey. 2016. Influence of transmission line construction on winter sage-grouse habitat use in Southern Utah. Human-Wildlife Interactions 10(2):169-187.
Dahlgren, D.K., M.R. Guttery, T.A. Messmer, D. Caudill, R.D. Elmore, R. Chi, and D.M. Koons. 2016. Evaluating vital rate contributions to greater sage-grouse population dynamics to inform conservation. Ecosphere 7(3):e01249. pdf file
Caudill, D., M.R. guttery, E. Leone, G. Caudill, and T.A. Messmer. 2016. Age-dependence and individual heterogeneity in reproductive success of greater sage-grouse. Avian Biology doi:[10.111/jav.00903]. pdf file
Cardinal, C.J. and T.A. Messmer. 2016. Ecology of greater sage-grouse populations inhabiting the northwestern Wyoming Basin. Human-Wildlife Interactions 10(2):188-204.
Wing, B.R. and T.A. Messmer. 2016. Impact of sagebrush nutrients and monoterpenes on greater sage-grouse vital rates. Human-Wildlife Interactions 10(2):157-168.
Hansen, Erica P. 2016. Influence of disturbance on greater sage-grouse habitat selection in Southern Utah. Master's Thesis, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
Messmer, T. A. 2015. Sage-grouse conservation and Management Through Science. The Utah Experience. pdf file
Guttery, M.R., T.A. Messmer, M.W. Brunson, J.D. Robinson, and D.K. Dahlgren. 2016. Declining populations of greater sage-grouse: hunter motivations when numbers are low. Animal Conservation 19:26-34. pdf file
Caudill, D., T.M. Terhune, B. Bibiles, and T.A. Messmer. 2016. Factors affecting seasonal movements of juvenile Greater Sage-grouse: A reconceptualized nest survival model. Condor 118:139-147. pdf file
Sandford, C., D. Dahlgren, and T. Messmer. 2015. Sage-grouse Nests in an Active Conifer Mastication Site. The Prairie Naturalist 47:115-116. https://qcnr.usu.edu/directory/dahlgren_david
Cardinal, Casey J. 2015. Factors Influencing the Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse Inhabiting the Bear Lake Plateau and Valley, Idaho and Utah. M.S. Thesis, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
2015 Accomplishment Report for Utah's Adaptive Resource Management Greater Sage-grouse Local Working Groups.
Dahlgren, D.K., R.T. Larsen, R. Danvir, G. Wilson, E.T. Thacker, T.A. Black, D.E. Naugle, J.W. Connelly, and T.A. Messmer. 2015. Greater Sage-grouse and Range Management: Insights from a 25-Year Case Study in Utah and Wyoming. Rangeland Ecology and Management 68:375-382. pdf file
Dahlgren, D.K., E.T. Thacker, and T.A. Messmer. 2015. What Does a Sage-grouse Eat? USU Extension Fact Sheet, November 2015.
Guttery, M.R., T.A. Messmer, M.W. Brunson, J.D. Robinson, and D.K. Dahlgren. 2015. Declining populations of greater sage-grouse: hunter motivations when numbers are low. Animal Conservation doi:10.1111/acv12213. pdf file
Avery Cook, 2015. Greater Sage-grouse Seasonal Habitat Models, Response to Juniper Reduction and Effects of Capture Behavior on Vital Rates in Northwest Utah. M.S. Thesis, Utah State University, Logan.
Parks, Molly. 2015. Participant Perceptions of Range Rider Programs Used to Mitigate Wolf-Livestock conflicts in the Western United States. M.S. Thesis, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
Caudill, D., M.R. Guttery, B. Bibles, T.A. Messmer, G. Caudill, E. Leone, D.K. Dahlgren, and R. Chi. 2014. Effects of climatic variation and reproductive trade-offs vary by measure of reproductive effort in greater sage-grouse. Ecosphere 5(12):154. pdf file

Caudill, Danny, T.A. Messmer, B. Bibles, and M.R. Guttery. 2014. Greater Sage-grouse Juvenile Survival in Utah. Journal of Wildlife Management 78:808-817. pdf file
2014 Accomplishment Report for Utah's Adaptive Resource Management Greater Sage-grouse Local Working Groups.
Messmer, T.A., R. Hasenyager, J. Burruss, and S. Ligouri. 2013. Stakeholder contemporary knowledge needs regarding the potential effects of tall structures on sage-grouse. Human-Wildlife Interactions 7(2):273-298.
Reinhart, J.S., T.A. Messmer, and T. Black. 2013. Inter-seasonal movements in tri-state greater sage-grouse: implications for state-centric conservation plans. Human-Wildlife Interactions 7(2):172-181.
Baxter, R.J., R.T. Larsen, and J.T. Flinders. 2013. Survival of Resident and Translocated Greater Sage-grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah: A 13-Year Study. Journal of Wildlife Management 77(4):802-811; DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.520.
Duvuvuei, Orrin V. 2013. Vital Rates, Population Trends, and Habitat-use Patterns of a Translocated Greater Sage-grouse Population: Implications for Future Translocations. Thesis, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
Breidinger, Leah S., K.E. Mock, and T.A. Messmer. 2013. Greater sage-grouse and natural gas development in Utah: Using population genetic data for conservation efforts. Western North American Naturalist 73(2):177-183. pdf file
Cheyenne Burnett, 2013. Modeling Habitat Use of a Fringe Greater Sage-grouse Population at Multiple Spatial Scales. Thesis, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
Frey, S.N., R. Curtis, and K. Heaton. 2013. Home Range and Movements of Greater Sage-grouse in its Southern-most Distribution. USU Extension Bulletin.
Graham, Stephanie E. 2013. Greater sage-grouse habitat selection and use patterns in response to vegetation management practices in northwestern Utah. M.S. Thesis, Utah State University, Logan.
Guttery, M.R., T.A. Messmer, E.T. Thacker, N. Gruber, and C.M. Columber. 2013. Greater Sage-Grouse Sex Ratios in Utah: Implications for Reporting Population Trends. Journal of Wildlife Management. pdf file
Guttery, M.R., D.K. Dahlgren, T.A. Messmer, J.W. Connelly, K.P. Reese, P.A. Terletzky, N. Burkepile and D.N. Koons. 2013. Effects of Landscape-Scale Environmental Variation on Greater Sage-grouse Chick Survival. PLoS ONE 8(6):e65582. pdf file
Messmer, Terry. 2013. Lessons Learned from the Greater Sage-grouse. Challenges and Emerging Opportunities for Agriculture and Rural Communities. Policy Brief for the National Agricultural & Rural Development Policy Center.
State of Utah Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse. February 2013. Link to Plan

Robinson, J.D. and T.A. Messmer. 2013. Vital rates and seasonal movements of two isolated greater sage-grouse populations in Utah's West Desert. Human-Wildlife Interactions 7(2):182-194. pdf file
Belton, L. (compiler) 2012. Conservation Programs for Private Lands. Programs and Resources Available in Utah for Implementation of Utah's Wildlife Action Plan. A joint project of: Utah State University Wildlife Extension Community-Based Conservation Program, Utah’s Department of Natural Resources: Endangered Species Mitigation Fund, Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources: Utah’s State Wildlife Action Plan, Quinney Professorship for Wildlife Conflict Management, and Jack H. Berryman Institute.
2012 Accomplishment Report for Utah's Adaptive Resource Management Greater Sage-grouse Local Working Groups.
Natasha W. Gruber (2012). Population Dynamics and Movements of Translocated and Resident Greater Sage-grouse on Anthro Mountain, Utah. Thesis. Utah State University.
Eric Thacker, D.R. Gardner, T.A. Messmer, M.R. Guttery, and D.K. Dahlgren. 2012. Using Gas Chromatography to Determine Winter Diets of Greater Sage-grouse in Utah. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:588-592. pdf file
Belton, L. (compiler) 2012. Conservation Programs for Private Lands. Programs and Resources Available in Utah for Implementation of Utah's Wildlife Action Plan. A joint project of: Utah State University Wildlife Extension Community?Based Conservation Program, Utah’s Department of Natural Resources: Endangered Species Mitigation Fund, Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources: Utah’s State Wildlife Action Plan, Quinney Professorship for Wildlife Conflict Management, and Jack H. Berryman Institute.

Sage-grouse Habitat in Utah. 2011. A Guide for Landowners and Managers.
Guttery, M.R., D.K. Dahlgren, and T.A. Messmer. 2011. Evaluation of Alternative Methods to Estimate Greater Sage-grouse Populations. Project Completion Report
Final report from a grazing collaborative group for the three National Forests in Southern Utah. Co-facilitated by Lorien Belton, one of our CBCP team members.
Peterson, C. and T.A. Messmer. 2011. Biological Consequences of Winter-Feeding of Mule Deer in Developed Landscapes in Northern Utah. Wildlife Society Bulletin 35(3):252-260.
Can Public Meetings Accurately Reflect Public Attitudes Toward Wildlife Management? Article in Journal of Wildlife Management by Chris C. Peterson and Terry A. Messmer. 2010.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2010. Messmer, T. A., and R. F. Hart, Utah State University (eds). Managing western lands for sage-grouse: the USDA NRCS Sage-grouse Restoration Project. large pdf file.
Dahlgren, D.K., T.A. Messmer, E.K. Thacker, and M.R. Guttery. 2010. Evaluation of brood detection techniques: Recommendations for estimating Greater sage-grouse productivity. Western North American Naturalist 70(2):233-237.
Dahlgren, D.K., T.A. Messmer, and D.N. Koons. 2010. Achieving better estimates of Greater sage-grouse chick survival in Utah. Journal of Wildlife Managment 74(6):1286-1294.
Belton, L.R., D.B. Jackson-Smith, and T.A. Messmer. 2009. Assessing the needs of sage-grouse local working groups: Final technical report. Unpublished report prepared for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Institute for Social Science Research on Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
Assessing the Needs of Sage-Grouse Local Working Groups. Final Technical Report. by Lorien Belton, Douglas Jackson-Smith, and Terry Messmer. 2009.
Working with Sage-Grouse Local Working Groups. A Practical Guide for NRCS Staff. by Lorien Belton, Douglas Jackson-Smith, and Terry Messmer. 2009.
Sage-grouse Local Working Groups: An Overview of Needs. Presentation given by Lorien Belton at the NRCS Biologist's Meeting, October 2008. (large file)
PhD Dissertation by Chris C. Peterson "Conservation Implications of Winter-Feeding Policies for Mule Deer in Utah." Utah State University, Logan, Utah. 2008.
WREN Project - Population Experiments for High School Students. Powerpoint presentation "Using Scientific Method to Study Wildlife Populations"
Dahlgren, D.K., R. Chi, T.A. Messmer. 2006. Greater Sage-Grouse Response to Sagebrush Management in Utah. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:975-985.
Messmer, T.A., M.W. Brunson, D. Reiter, and D.G. Hewitt. 1999. United States Public Attitudes Regarding Predators and Their Management to Enhance Avian Recruitment. Wildlife Society Bulletin 27:75-85.
1999 Report - Summer Habitat Use and Migration Movements of the Paunsaugunt Plateau Mule Deer Herd.
Reese, K.P. and J.W. Connelly. 1997. Translocations of sage grouse Centrocercus urophasianus in North America. Wildlife Biology 3(3/4):234-241.
Utah Gunnison's and White-tailed Prairie Dog Conservation Plan