They utilize free water if it is available, however. Sage grouse distribution is apparently seasonally limited by water in some areas. In summer, sage grouse in desert regions occur only near streams, springs, and water holes. Lack of recruitment has been noted in some sage grouse populations, and predation of juvenile sage grouse has been cited as a factor in sage grouse population decline. A decline in preferred prey may also result in increased predation on sage grouse.
Sage grouse are a popular game bird.
Sage grouse once occurred virtually everywhere there was sagebrush. In the 50's and 60's, land agencies adopted a policy of aggressive sagebrush control in order to convert sagebrush types to grassland. Sage grouse have one of the lowest recruitment rates of any upland game bird in North America.