I live in a remote part of northcentral Montana. In recent times the Sharptail grouse population has been reestablished largely due to a gov. program that pays farmers to return farmland to native grass.

I have a half-section a mile from my farm that is enrolled in this program. I am building a small cabin on top of a long ridge of native sod that seperates the two quarters. A Sharptail lek was established just 50 yards from my building site two years ago. It is the first week of March and this morning 20 or so birds rose off the lek site at my approach. My Q: Should I discontinue construction until lekking is over? If I continue the construction, could it be done in mid-day so as not to disturb the birds? Am I in danger of having the birds abandon this lek site? How long does the lekking usually last? Would greatly appreciate some feedback.