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Good to Excellent Chukar Partridge Hunting Expected This Year Hunters should find good to excellent chukar partridge, forest grouse and cottontail rabbit hunting in Utah this year. Populations of all three species are doing well through most of the state. "The really exciting story is chukar partridge," says Dean Mitchell, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "The number of chukars counted during our annual West Desert helicopter survey was up nearly 240 percent over last year and is the highest number we've counted since 1999." Mitchell says the amount of rain received this past spring was above normal throughout much of Utah, and that resulted in good nesting and chick raising habitat conditions for nearly all the state's upland game bird species. "Cool, wet weather during the peak of the hatch in late spring appears to have impacted first broods though," he says. "Hens may have lost entire first broods or one to two chicks per brood might have survived. "Hens that still had chicks from first broods did not renest," he says. "Hens that lost their entire first broods likely did renest and produced chicks later than normal. Because nesting took place during different times this spring, hunters will probably see a variety of age classes of birds." Thanks to favorable winter conditions, and the spring and summer rains, Mitchell says hunters should expect to see increases in most upland game populations this fall. He provides the following report for the bulk of Utah's upland game species (a pheasant, quail and sharp-tailed grouse report will be available in mid-October): Chukar partridge populations are most closely tied to spring precipitation received from January through April. Above average precipitation fell statewide during early spring and summer. DWR biologists who conducted the division's annual West Desert helicopter survey on Aug. 18, 2005 saw a big increase in chukar numbers from last year. Biologists counted 566 chukars on the survey transect this year. That's up from the 167 chukars counted in 2004 and is the highest number counted since 1999. Hunters should keep in mind that the helicopter survey is conducted only in select areas of the west desert and may not represent the number of chukars found in other areas of the state. However, researchers and volunteers working on a chukar guzzler (drinking water) assessment study report sizeable chukar broods this year in study areas ranging from Box Elder County south to Juab County in the West Desert. Overall, chukar numbers are up noticeably in most areas of Utah this year. The best strategy for chukars is to begin at the top of a mountain range and hunt down on the birds. Listening for the chukar's well-defined call is an excellent way to locate coveys of birds. If you take a dog along on a chukar hunt, make sure the dog is in excellent physical condition and take plenty of water for not only yourself, but the dog as well. Because chukar habitat in Utah is comprised of much shale and lava rock, it may be wise to purchase leather or rubber booties to protect the pads on your dog's feet. Here's what to expect by DWR region: Northern Region: In Box Elder County, upland game habitat conditions are improved from last year and chukar populations have increased. In Cache and Rich counties, chukar numbers also appear to have increased from last year. In Morgan County, chukar numbers are up considerably. Central Region: Wildfires were not bad in the region this year and grasshopper and Mormon crickets are abundant. As a result, more food is available for chukars and chick survival has improved. In the western portion of the region, brood size and chick survival have improved. Hunters should expect more chukars this year than last. However, late summer rains have provided additional water sources at various elevations, and the birds will be scattered over a wider area. Northeastern Region: Hunters can expect generally fair hunting in the Duchesne and Uintah County area this fall; precipitation this year and last year have probably had a very positive impact on broods. Cover on rangelands is somewhat better this year. Southeastern Region: Chukar production seems to be up this year and birds should be available in all the traditional areas. However, due to the wet weather, birds are scattered and will be more difficult for hunters to access. Southern Region: Chukar populations in the Southern Region are slightly improved from last year, and success is expected to be fair and good. In Washington County, chukar hunting is expected to be excellent while hunting in Millard County is expected to be fair. About 4,000 pen-reared chukars will be released throughout Utah again this year. Details on release site areas will be provided to hunters in a DWR news release in mid-September, just before the chukar season opens. Despite improved nesting and brooding habitat conditions this year, blue and ruffed grouse (forest grouse) observations are mixed throughout the state. In some areas bird numbers are higher than last year and in some areas bird numbers are lower. Forest grouse will be more scattered this year because of improved habitat conditions. Keep in mind that forest grouse populations can vary greatly between mountain ranges. Look for birds in areas of mixed mountain brush that offer berries. Berry production is good to excellent across Utah this year. Ruffed grouse prefer areas along stream and watercourses. Blue grouse are usually found higher on the mountain, usually in the Douglas fir/aspen zone above 8,000 feet in elevation. Here's what to expect by DWR region: Northern Region: In Cache and Rich counties, forest grouse populations are stable and may have increased from years past. In Morgan County, a late hatch occurred and forest grouse numbers are similar to last year. In Summit County, forest grouse numbers have increased from previous years. Central Region: Habitat conditions along the Wasatch Range are better this summer and grouse are doing excellent. A good hunt is expected. Forest grouse numbers seem to be as high as last year and some areas are slightly better. Brood sizes are larger this year based on casual observations by biologists and conservation officers. In the western portion of the region, expect forest grouse hunting to be a little better than last year. The grouse will be scattered. During the drought years, grouse were easier to find because they were concentrated along streamside areas. With all of the moisture central Utah received this year, grouse are now being found outside of the streamside areas. Northeastern Region: Good hunting is expected in Duchesne and Uintah counties. Southeastern Region: Production seems to be up and hunting conditions are excellent. Birds may be scattered, but hunting should be better than normal. Southern Region: Observations indicate that forest grouse numbers, especially blue grouse, are up this year. All biologists and conservation officers in the region have seen good brood production throughout the region. The birds will be widely distributed due to good habitat conditions this year. A few ruffed grouse are located in the northern part of the region. Expect good success. |
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