North Dakota’s small population of sage grouse has taken a hit in recent years and the state is looking to Montana for some help.

North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department has asked the state to transfer 30 females in 2014 and 2015 to supplement their low bird populations. The worry is that without the boost, the state’s sage grouse population may blink out since recruitment may not keep up with mortality.

Montana has more sage grouse than North Dakota, but the birds’ numbers have also dropped here after an especially wet spring in 2011 and drought this year.

FWP’s Commission considered the request at its Thursday meeting.

Such a transfer isn’t unprecedented. Last year, FWP provided 40 birds to Canada to supplement a population there.

This post was written by Brett French, Outdoors Editor for the Billings Gazette.