Hunters to see upland-game increase

Hunters should find good-to-excellent chukar partridge, forest grouse and cottontail rabbit in Utah this year. Populations of all three species are doing well.

The hunts open Saturday.

"The really exciting story is chukar partridge," said 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 added that the amount of rain received this past spring was above normal, which resulted in good nesting and chick-raising habitat conditions for nearly all the state's upland game bird species.

Favorable winter conditions, and the spring and summer rains, will mean hunters can expected to see increases in most upland game populations.

DWR biologists who conducted the division's annual West Desert helicopter survey on Aug. 18 saw a big increase in chukar numbers over last year. Biologists counted 566 chukars on the survey transect this year, which is up from the 167 counted in 2004 and is the highest number counted since 1999.

Mitchell pointed out 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 checking drinking-water sites report sizeable chukar broods this year in study areas ranging from Box Elder County south to Juab County in the West Desert.

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.

About 4,000 pen-reared chukars have been released throughout Utah again this year.

Despite improved nesting and brooding habitat conditions this year, blue and ruffed grouse, or forest grouse, observations are mixed. 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.

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.