OPEN FORUM: Sage Grouse

By DELMAR LEATHAM

Prior to the coming of cattle to the sagebrush flats of Nevada there were very few sage grouse in the area. Only when cattle began to disperse the native plant seeds along with an adequate supply of fertilizer did the grouse begin to survive.

The birds spent their time at one location happily enjoying the seeds they found in a cowpie. Each year the food supply of the grouse increased as more plants sprouted in the fresh green mounds deposited by the cows. It was a true symbiotic relationship where both parties benefited from the increase in native grasses.

The diary of an early cattleman relates how large flocks of birds could be found at every waterhole. Waterholes that were developed and improved by the ranchers would be surrounded by hundreds of birds every morning.

I asked a Nevada rancher, who was also a Nevada State Senator, if he had ever eaten a sage grouse? He said he had, but wanted to meet the Man who ate a second one!

He indicated that the best way to cook a grouse was to marinate the birds with a bottle of Basque pecan wine. While braising the birds in the wine add in a pint of rum. Just before serving the birds add a fifth of good whiskey and make a gravy. Then, throw the birds away and drink the gravy.
Modern politicians have found that they have more in common with these self-indulgent birds than with the voters. Their feeding habits are very similar and just like the grouse they like to assemble at local watering holes. However, the elected officials have failed to developed a symbiotic relationship with the voters.

Washington D.C. politicians, in an effort to curry favor with the birds, thought it wise to declare them a threatened species. They began funding studies to determine the needs of the birds. No one thought to ask the birds what they might like or to consider the opinions of their protectors, the ranchers.

This blatant disregard for the cattlemen’s needs helped spur the beginnings of the Sagebrush rebellion. In an effort to quell this rebellion, US Senator Harry Reid decided to take a tour of the cow counties and give the citizens a stern pulpit pounding.

The local citizenry did not take well to this one-sided conversation and began to use their first amendment right to pound their own pulpit.

Senator Reid, fearing that he might be shouted down by the unruly crowds, brought Capitol Police from Washington D.C. to reinforce his position. So much for freedom of speech.
Shortly after this ill-fated tour I was in Washington D.C. lobbying with a group of rural Nevadans. About 20 of us had a joint meeting with Nevada Senators Richard Bryan and Harry Reid.

It was the custom of the Senators to glamorize themselves by taking ceremonial group pictures with their visitors. I was seated at one end of the table and everyone gathered around my seat for the photo. Senator Reid stood directly behind me. I made the comment that I felt like a fox in a hen house. Mr. Reid placed his hands on my shoulders and said, “we’ll see who the fox is!”

After the photo everyone took their seat and the good Senator Reid proceeded to browbeat us all about the disrespectful treatment he had received in rural Nevada. The meeting quickly ended and there were no farewell handshakes: a sad conclusion to a relationship that at one time benefited both Senators and ranchers.

Politicians continue to mimic the behavior of the sage grouse. After a great deal of study and expenditure of money, it was determined that the grouse was not threatened and could continue to thrive under the stewardship of the ranchers.

The Politicians have returned to their nests and their watering holes. Meanwhile I await the opportunity to vote for my favorite bird, and maybe even dine on one of Nevada’s favorite birds.