Upland game bird season about to fly

Another mild winter and timely rainstorms during spring and early summer provided good rearing conditions for young upland game birds, and hunters will likely see more birds this year than last.

"Reports across the state are up for a variety of species," says Jeff Knetter, Idaho Department of Fish and Game's upland game and migratory bird coordinator.

Of Fish and Game's seven regions, nearly all found stable-to-improving populations of upland game birds compared with last year and the 10-year trend.

Fish and Game wildlife managers rely on a combination of anecdotal reports from the field and surveys known as "brood routes" where Fish and Game personnel drive set routes and spot birds, then compare the numbers with what was seen in previous years.

It gives them a predictor of what hunters are likely to see during the fall season.

Forest grouse and dove seasons already opened statewide. California and bobwhite quail, sage grouse, chukar and gray partridge open Sept. 19. Sharptail grouse season opens Oct. 1, and pheasant season opens Oct. 10 and Oct. 17, depending on which area of the state. For all dates and rules, check Fish and Game's upland rules booklet for hunting rules, or go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ and look for "Upland Game" under the "Hunting" tab.

Weather is a primary factor in upland bird populations from year to year, and although Idaho is in a drought, timely rainstorms after hatches provide plant growth and also spark insect populations that feed the young birds.

A full report on the upland game bird seasons throughout the seven Fish and Game regions can be found under the "Features" section on Fish and Game's website.

Here are some highlights from the ranger districts in North and North Central Idaho:

Panhandle

Grouse are abundant this year. We predict excellent grouse hunting this fall. Pheasants, gray partridge and quail are restricted to the southern portion of the region. Populations of those species appear stable to slightly increasing relative to previous years. The dry spring and summer resulted in extensive wildfires this summer and fall. Hunters are encouraged to check for closures on public as well as corporate timber land before hunting. Access is very limited in some areas.

Clearwater

The 115 pheasants observed in 2015 represent a 423 percent increase from the 22 birds tallied in 2014 and is 147 percent above the previous 10-year average of 47 birds. There are only six years out of the past 25 where more birds were tallied on regional routes. However, the 115 birds observed in 2015 still represents just 58 percent of the historical high count of 199 counted in 2005.

Chukar productivity and populations have appeared to be trending upward in recent years. Observations and reports from field staff and the public appear to indicate very good chukar nesting success and chick survival. The number of gray partridge observed this year was much higher than last years' total, and above the long-term average.