Last modified: Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Upland game seasons almost here

Cottontail rabbit hunting should be excellent across Utah, and chukar partridge hunting should be great in areas that have lots of cheatgrass.

Those two hunts are among 13 upland game hunts that hunters in Utah can participate in over the next few months.

And this season, there's no age limit on who can participate as long as a young person has passed the state's Hunter Education course, he or she can buy a license to hunt small game in Utah, regardless of the person's age.

Many of Utah's upland game hunts begin Sept. 16. Dean Mitchell, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, provides the following preview for most of the hunts (a preview for the pheasant, quail and sharp-tailed grouse hunts will be available in mid-October):

Cottontail rabbit hunting will be excellent across most of Utah this year. Cottontail populations are entering the upswing in their 10-year population cycle in Utah. To find success, cottontail hunters should focus their efforts on dry, brushy draws with dense, rank big sagebrush.

No license is required for jackrabbits.

Here's a preview for each of the DWR's five regions:

Northern Region: In Box Elder County, rabbit populations are still in their up-cycle and plenty of opportunity for rabbit hunters should be available countywide. In Morgan County, cottontail numbers are up and improved from last year. In Cache and Rich counties, populations are low and appear to be down from last year.

Central Region: Hunters shouldn't have to put much effort in to find good numbers of cottontails.

Northeastern Region: Excellent hunting is expected for cottontail rabbits in both Duchesne and Uintah counties.

Southeastern Region: The number of rabbits in the region is way up. Hunting will be excellent.

Southern Region: Rabbit populations throughout the region are high, and hunters should expect a good to excellent season.

Important: The DWR reminds cottontail rabbit hunters that it's illegal to harvest pygmy rabbits in Utah. The pygmy rabbit has been petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. Pygmy rabbits closely resemble cottontail rabbits and are easily confused as juvenile cottontail rabbits. Pygmy rabbits can be found in the same habitats as cottontail rabbits.

Information to help hunters tell the difference between cottontail rabbits and pygmy rabbits is available at wildlife.utah.gov/habitat/pdf/pygmy_rabbit.pdf.

The DWR is highly interested in pygmy rabbit sightings throughout the state. Hikers, hunters and anyone else who observes pygmy rabbits are encouraged to notify Adam Kozlowski, sensitive species biologist, through e-mail at: AdamKozlowski@utah.gov with a location, date and number of pygmy rabbits observed.

For a challenge and enjoyable surroundings, hunters can try for the snowshoe hare. Pine forests interspersed with aspen and alder are home to snowshoe hares in Utah. When the snow falls, hares turn completely white except for their eyes, which remain coal black. Look for movement at the base of trees and shrubs to locate hares when snow has covered the ground.

Throughout Utah, hunter pressure is very light for snowshoe hares. Hunter success is predicted to be fair to good depending on the mountain range hunted.

Snowshoe hares are confined mostly to north-central and northern Utah. In southern Utah, snowshoe hares are found in the high country in Garfield and Wayne counties. With some scouting effort, snowshoe hare hunting should be good in areas where snowshoe hares are traditionally found.

The DWR's annual west desert helicopter survey, conducted on Aug. 24, indicated a noticeable increase in chukar partridge per square mile over what biologists saw last year. Biologists counted 779 chukars on the survey transect this year. That's up more than 200 birds from the 566 chukars counted in 2005.

Hunters should keep in mind that the helicopter survey is conducted only in select areas of the west desert and may not represent chukar populations throughout Utah. For example, researchers and volunteers working on a chukar/guzzler assessment study, in an area from Box Elder County south to Juab County in the west desert, report very mixed chukar reproductive success this year.

"Few chicks survived in areas where the cheatgrass grew only two to three inches," says Brigham Young University graduate student Randy Larsen. "Average numbers of chicks are being seen in areas where the cheatgrass grew six to eight inches, and excellent numbers of chicks have been observed in areas where the cheatgrass grew higher than 14 inches."

Because of sporadic spring rainfall, cheatgrass and resulting chukar numbers vary from mountain range to mountain range. Overall, chukar numbers are fair to excellent across most of Utah this year, but are down from the number observed last year.

Here's a preview for each of the DWR's five regions:

Northern Region: Chukar populations in east Box Elder County are similar to last year, but in west Box Elder County numbers are down. In Morgan County, chukar populations have improved and should be above last year's numbers, which were considered good to excellent. In Cache and Rich counties, chukar numbers are similar to last year, and hunting should be good in traditional areas.

Central Region: The DWR's helicopter chukar survey occurs in the Central Region. See the survey results listed below for more information:

	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Survey area (sq. miles)	6.49	8.00	8.00	8.00	8.00	8.00	8.00	8.00	8.00	8.00	8.00
Number of coveys	12	18	52	65	23	9	5	27	15	36	50
Total chukars counted	103	295	939	623	96	68	36	238	167	566	779
Chukars/ sq mile	15.87	36.88	117.38	77.88	12.00	8.50	4.50	29.75	20.88	70.75	97.38
Chukars/ survey hour	88.30	252.10	695.60	375.30	73.80	41.70	22.20	178.90	89.30	369.93	311.60

Northeastern Region: Hunters can expect generally fair hunting in the Duchesne and Uintah county area this fall; precipitation last year and this year should have had a very positive impact on broods. The cover available to chukar partridge is somewhat better this year.

Southeastern Region: Production the past several years has been excellent, and the number of birds region-wide has increased. Hunters are encouraged to hunt wild birds in remote areas for excellent shooting opportunities.

Southern Region: Populations seem to be doing well this year, and good success is expected. West desert populations seem to have decreased from last year. Incidental sightings and brood counts in the northeastern portion of Millard County, and the southeastern portions of Juab County along the Sevier River, have increased from 2005. Excellent chukar hunting is expected in Washington County. Fires on the Beaver Dam Slope helped chukars. Birds can be found within the Black Canyon area in Garfield County and the Smoky Mountain area in Kane County. Populations also seem to be increasing in the Sevier Valley.

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, make sure the dog is in excellent physical condition and take plenty of water along for both you and your dog. 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.

Blue and ruffed grouse (forest grouse) reports are mixed throughout Utah this year. Biologists are reporting slightly improved forest grouse populations across most of the state, but numbers are down in some areas.

To find forest grouse, look for birds in areas with mixed mountain brush that offers berries. Berry production is good to excellent across Utah this year. Ruffed grouse prefer areas along streams and watercourses. Blue grouse are usually found higher on the mountain, in the Douglas fir/aspen zone above 8,000 feet in elevation.

Keep in mind that forest grouse populations can vary greatly between mountain ranges. If you don't find birds on a particular mountain range, move to a different range that may have received more rainfall. Areas that received good rainfall should have better habitat and more grouse.

Here's a preview for each of the DWR's five regions:

Northern Region: Forest grouse numbers are down in Morgan County, but hunters should find improved numbers of forest grouse in Rich and Cache counties. The DWR biologist in Summit County reports seeing increased numbers of forest grouse, especially ruffed grouse, this year.

Central Region: Biologists report seeing many forest grouse broods during elk surveys conducted earlier this year.

Northeastern Region: Good hunting is expected in Duchesne and Uintah counties.

Southeastern Region: The number of grouse seen during April and May seemed to be up. However, production seems to be below average. Hunting should be fair to good.

Southern Region: Brood numbers appear to be lower than last year on the Tushar Mountains and Pahvant area, although hunting is still expected to be fairly good. Hunting should also be good in Kane and Garfield counties, and grouse are abundant in Wayne and Sevier counties.

Gray (Hungarian) partridge hunters in northern Utah will probably see fewer Huns this year. The DWR biologist in Box Elder County reports that a drier than normal spring was not favorable for upland game production. Hungarian partridge populations are down from last year with small brood sizes reported.

Huns can often be found on hillsides near grain fields, so access to private property is usually necessary. Be sure to secure proper permission before hunting private property areas.

Hunters should have better access to Huns on private lands in northern Utah through the DWR's new Walk-in Access program. For a list and maps of properties enrolled in the program, please visit wildlife.utah.gov/walkinaccess/.

Huns are also found in some of the same areas as chukars. This provides hunters with an opportunity for a mixed bag.

Sage-grouse populations throughout Utah and western North America are at all-time lows. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are the major reasons for the population decline. As a result, hunting has been closed on fragmented and isolated populations of sage-grouse throughout Utah. Sage-grouse are hunted only in areas of the state where there are minimum breeding populations of at least 500 birds. In 2006, hunting will again remain confined to "core" sage-grouse areas: western Box Elder County and Rich County in northern Utah, Blue and Diamond mountains in the Uintah Basin in northeastern Utah and Parker Mountain in south-central Utah.

Sage-grouse hunting is limited to hunters who obtained a sage-grouse permit earlier this summer.

Here's a preview for each of the DWR's five regions:

Northern Region: In Box Elder County, the number of males counted on strutting grounds decreased 15 percent from 2005. In Rich County, the number of males counted on strutting grounds decreased 8 percent. Hunting in both counties will be a bit slower than last year.

Central Region: The entire region is closed to sage-grouse hunting. The DWR will increase law enforcement efforts in the Strawberry Valley area of Wasatch County, and the Vernon area of Tooele County, where reports have been received of people taking sage-grouse illegally. Important: The Strawberry Valley and Tooele County are closed to sage-grouse hunting.

Northeastern Region: Hunting is expected to be good in both Duchesne and Uintah counties.

Southeastern Region: The entire region is closed to sage-grouse hunting.

Southern Region: Most of the region is closed to sage-grouse hunting. The Parker Mountain population increased again this year, however. Hunters should be very successful in harvesting their two-bird limit.

Sage-grouse hunters are asked to drop wings from harvested birds in DWR wing barrels that will be placed in some of the areas open to hunting. Biological data collected from sage-grouse wings is critical to the management of local populations.

Hunters desiring a trip into the highest of Utah's alpine country can try for the white-tailed ptarmigan. In 1976, ptarmigan were transplanted from Colorado to the Gunsight Pass/Painter Basin area of the eastern Uinta Mountains. Since being released in Utah, ptarmigan have increased their distribution to various drainages in the Uintas.

A free permit is required to hunt white-tailed ptarmigan. Permits are available online at https://secure.utah.gov/hflo/hflo or may be obtained at any DWR office, either in-person or through the mail. The permit allows biologists to contact hunters to determine harvest rates and other important biological information used to manage ptarmigan.

Ptarmigan hunters who have been afield this year say they haven't seen many birds and habitat conditions are very dry.

An information packet, titled "Guidelines for Locating White-tailed Ptarmigan in the Uinta Mountains" can be found on the DWR Upland game web page at wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame/ptarmigan/uinta_wt.html The DWR is highly interested in ptarmigan sightings in the Uinta Mountains. Hikers, hunters and anyone else who observes ptarmigan is encouraged to notify Dean Mitchell, upland game program coordinator, through e-mail at: DeanMitchell@utah.gov with a location (preferably GPS coordinates), date and number of birds observed.

General upland game hunt forecast information

Annual fluctuations in upland game bird and mammal populations, probably more so than any other group of wildlife species, are very closely correlated with annual climatic patterns. Mild, open winters mean that more upland game survive to reproduce the following spring. Early spring precipitation during the months of March, April and May makes for increases in fall upland game populations. Warm, dry weather, especially during June, is vital for the survival of newly born young.

Severe winter weather bringing deep snow and persistent cold temperatures can impact upland game. Food sources become covered and unavailable. Escape and thermal cover can become drifted in and unusable. Combine severe winter weather with no spring precipitation, or cold wet weather during the nesting and brooding period, and fewer upland game will be available for hunters in the fall.

Snowfall this past winter was normal to above normal in central and northern Utah. Southwestern, southern, southeastern and northeastern Utah snowfall was below normal. Snowfall events this past winter occurred mainly in the mountains, leaving valley bottoms open. As such, overwinter survival of upland game breeding stock was good throughout most of the state.

Spring and early summer rain throughout Utah varied greatly for much of the state. As such, it's likely that upland game numbers are improved in some areas, but only fair in others.

As a result of winter conditions and spring and summer rains, hunters should expect to see mixed results in upland game populations this fall.

Two DWR administrative regions provide a general outlook and what upland game hunters can expect in terms of success and habitat conditions:

In the Southern Region, habitat conditions are dry on the west slope of the Pahvant and Tushar Mountains and extremely dry in the West Desert. Conditions appear to be better on the east slope of these ranges and in the Sevier Valley. In the Sevier, Piute and Wayne counties high country, there was an excellent spring season followed by a hot, dry period. Late summer moisture has brought new green up and increased insect populations. Grasses and forbs also got a second chance to grow during the wet, cool August.

In northeastern Utah, hunters can expect generally fair hunting in Duchesne and Uintah counties this fall; the past year's drought relief has probably had a positive impact on broods and brood rearing. Cover is normal on rangelands; agricultural lands will be the same as past years. Last fall, some populations were up compared to recent years, and this, combined with warm winter weather, has resulted in average breeding populations for some species. Production in some areas of the region has only been fair this year. Brood sizes were close to average. Young per 100 adults seemed to be average. Weather conditions during the nesting and brood rearing periods have been dry this year. Recently the population trend in the area has been down as evidenced by fewer birds per hunter day, fewer birds per hunter, fewer young per 100 adults, and decreased spring breeding populations. Indications are that wetter conditions last year and the year prior have had a positive impact on all upland game species in the Northeastern Region this year. Take of upland game species is expected to be fair this year. All species of birds, rabbits, and hares are expected to be in traditional areas. Hunters can expect the best success in agricultural and canyon bottomlands.

Highlights for 2006-2007 seasons

In 2005, the Utah Wildlife Board authorized a three-year Upland Game Hunting Guide (Proclamation). As such, upland game hunting rules and regulations will remain the same in 2006 and 2007 as in 2005 with the exception of changes in the number of greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse permits available. These permit numbers are derived annually based on spring strutting and dancing ground count surveys. In addition, new youth chukar hunts will be initiated in all DWR administrative regions beginning in 2006.

Utah's upland game hunters should be aware of several significant highlights applicable to 2006-2007 upland game hunting seasons. Upland game hunters should review a copy of the current Upland Game Hunting Guide (Proclamation) prior to going afield.

Minimum age removed: The Utah legislature recently removed the minimum age at which a person can hunt upland game in Utah. Beginning Aug. 1, 2006, anyone who has completed a hunter education course that the Division of Wildlife Resources has offered or approved can purchase a small game or combination license.

Four new youth chukar hunts: Four new chukar hunts, for hunters 15 years of age and younger, will be held on Sept. 9. The hunts are limited to between 30 to 60 hunters. Please see pages 24–25 of the 2006–2007 Upland Game Hunting Guide for more information.

Private lands open to hunting: You can hunt on more than 10,000 acres of private land in northern Utah this fall. To learn more about Utah's new Walk-In Access program, please visit wildlife.utah.gov/walkinaccess/.

Three-day nonresident small game license: If you're not a resident of Utah and will only be in the state for a short time, you can hunt upland game without paying the full price for a nonresident license. A three-day nonresident small game license is now available for $25. You can purchase one online from this Web site or from license agents and Division offices.

365-day licenses: Small game, combination and fishing licenses are now valid for 365 days from the day you buy them. For example, a license you purchase on Sept. 1, 2006, is valid through Aug. 31, 2007.

Harvest statistics on the Web: Want to know how chukar partridge hunters did in Utah last year? Harvest statistics for all of Utah's upland game species are available online at wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame/annualreports/.

Attention chukar hunters: The DWR and Brigham Young University (BYU) are conducting research to understand the impacts of guzzlers on chukar populations. Leg bands and radio collars that provide valuable information have been placed on chukars throughout the West Desert. Please report the date and location (GPS preferred) of all harvested tagged chukars to BYU graduate students Aaron Robinson (435) 901-3139 or Randy Larsen (801) 361-7692.

Private lands: You must obtain written permission from the landowner or an authorized representative of the landowner to enter upon privately owned land that is cultivated or properly posted. "Cultivated land" means land that is readily identifiable as: 1) land whose soil is loosened or broken up for the raising of crops; 2) land used for the raising of crops; or 3) pasturage that is artificially irrigated.

Upland game hunting general information

Hunter orange

Although not required by law, it's a good idea as an upland game hunter to wear hunter orange so that you stand out while afield. The wearing of a hunter orange ball cap or vest can go a long way in helping to avoid firearms and hunting accidents. This is especially true during those hunts such as for forest grouse when you're in heavy cover or pheasant where you might be afield with, and in close proximity to, other hunters.

Pick up and pack out spent shotgun shell hulls

Upland game hunters are strongly encouraged to pick up all spent shotgun shell hulls in an effort to be respectful of private and public lands that may be hunted. Old decaying shotgun shell hulls left afield are unsightly and litter Utah's landscape. Please do your part and pick up and pack out any shotgun shell hulls that you may expend while afield. Also please pick up and pack out any expended shotgun shell hulls that you might run across left by others. We all need to do our part as ethical and responsible hunters. An uncluttered landscape left by hunters goes a long way toward getting invited back on private lands.

Upland game hunter information

To get you on your way upland game hunting in Utah, drop by one of the DWR offices and pick up a copy of a publication titled "Utah Upland Game." This booklet is free and will provide you with information about all of the upland game species in Utah. For each species, there is a map showing distribution throughout the state, species description, preferred habitat, food preferences, mating and nesting habitats, status in the state, and hunting tips. This same information, except distribution maps, is available on the DWR upland game web page at: wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame/upgame.htm.

Upland game species information along with Utah distribution maps is available through the DWR upland game web page at: dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/ucdc/.

To locate DWR wildlife management areas in Utah where you might hunt upland game, you should drop by any DWR office and purchase a booklet titled, "Access to Wildlife Lands in Utah." This booklet is also available online at: wildlife.utah.gov/publications/

Information from upland game hunters who have been afield in pursuit of each species can be found in a Wildlife Discussion Forum on the DWR Web site at: wildlife.utah.gov/forums/

Accurate upland game harvest data needed

The DWR annually surveys hunters to determine harvest levels for each upland game species. Telephone surveys are conducted each year. It is critical to upland game management programs that accurate harvest information be reported by hunters for each species hunted. In an effort to collect more accurate harvest information and to assist hunters, the DWR has prepared a harvest record that hunters are encouraged to use to record upland game harvest information for each species and day hunted. Information from the harvest record should be shared with the DWR representative who may call over the phone after the season. Hunter's Harvest Records can be found on page 26 of the 2006–2007 Upland Game Hunting Guide.

Please enjoy your fall hunting experience and thank you for your support of wildlife conservation in Utah! Don't forget to pick up a copy of the Upland Game Hunting Guide and to purchase your license and permits before heading afield. Good hunting!