Surrounded by sage, Makeda Trujillo (holding antenna) and Nicole
Nielson search for grouse. It was cold and getting colder atop
the Tavaputs Plateau as the trio of searchers set out on foot
and ATV across Sage Flat at sundown. They were searching for
sage grouse, and one grouse in particular was going to be a big
help. "We called it our Judas bird because it would lead us to
the others," quipped Nicole Nielson, habitat biologist with the
Division of Wildlife Resources. This bird had been wired for
sound on a previous expedition. Signals from its radio telemetry
collar would lead Nielson, volunteer Bart Kettle and DWR
seasonal worker Makeda Trujillo to more grouse. They are
sociable creatures, explained Nielson, so find one and you can
probably find others. Armed with a radio antenna and receiver, a
big net mounted on a long pole and an ATV with nice, bright
headlights they found the birds. Grouse capture is not
particularly complicated, Nielson explained. Once you spot one,
approach slowly with the ATV. The b