In Morgan County, forest grouse numbers are down. While forest grouse numbers are down, chukar populations look good again this year. Cottontail numbers were up in 2006, and their numbers appear to be similar to last year.

Central Region

Because of the dry spring and summer, the number of young chukars has declined, thus hunting is expected to be slower.

Forest grouse hunting is expected to be a little slower. The grouse that are available should be a little easier to find, however.

Observations by biologists and conservation officers have noted fewer rabbits in southern Utah County, Sanpete County and Juab County.

In the western desert, drought conditions in 2006 reduced rabbit numbers.

Northeastern Region

White-tailed ptarmigan will provide good hunting for those who venture into the Uinta Mountains and know where to find the birds. Hunters should focus efforts around the interfaces of small rivulets of water that are associated with dwarf willow and rocky talus outcrops and slide rock, above the timberline.

Forest grouse populations continue to do well, but they're fairly local in both distribution and abundance.

Sage-grouse may be hunted only by those who obtained a sage-grouse permit earlier this year. The population throughout the region has declined in recent years.

Chukar populations are spotty. Most populations are found along dry and talus slopes near the salt desert shrub communities of the Uinta Basin. Chukars are dependent on water.

Cottontail rabbit hunting should continue to be good in the Uinta Basin this season. Populations have been good in recent years, and hunters have had good success.

Southeastern Region

Chukar production is down a little bit, but good populations of adults remain scattered throughout the desert areas in the region. Hunting for chukars should be good.

The cottontail rabbit populations are down from the high of the past two years, but hunting should still be very good.

Blue grouse production is down. Hunting will be fair. Birds have been observed at higher elevations.

Southern Region

A June snow and several below-freezing nights affected both hatching success and chick survival in the Plateau and Fishlake units. This could mean fewer young birds will be available this fall. However, spring breeding-ground counts set another record this year, and hunters should see as many adult birds this season as they've seen in recent years.

The snow and several below-freezing nights affected both hatching success and chick survival for forest grouse. Good places to try in these units are the Salina Creek and Gooseberry areas.

Cottontail rabbits are said to be abundant.

Although chukar numbers have declined from past years, biologists and conservation officers have seen good numbers in Black Rock Point and in the foothills above Sigurd in Sevier County. The number of chukars in Washington County has declined significantly.