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Upland Birds S.E Idaho

Posted on: August 27, 2007

By
Dave Langston

This could be an excellent year for grouse hunters in S.E. Idaho. With a mild winter and spring young birds should be in good supply as the hatch went off without a hitch. Last season was a tough year with lower numbers in the field but according to Carl Anderson of Idaho Fish & Game (208) 232-4703 things are looking a bit better.

“Birds do not cycle as some may think, birds depend on habitat conditions for numbers,” says Anderson. “We had a mild winter and spring allowing birds to have successful hatches. The majority of the birds we hunt are young 1st year birds and if all fairs well this could be a good year,” he adds. It is always tough to predict on any species but the weather cooperated and young birds could be in good supply.

Sage hen hunters can expect lower numbers this season. I.F. &G. officials have some concern with the West Nile Virus impacting populations but not enough evidence in the field for a correct analysis. “We are not finding carcasses in the field so it is tough to get an accurate number of losses if we had any, but we are still concerned with the impact the virus may have on the population,” says Anderson.

Good bets this year for Sage hen hunters are the Arco desert and Arbon valley areas. Both of these are traditional areas that hold huntable numbers of Sage hen offering S.E. Idaho hunters their best shot at filling a limit. The only concern for hunters in the Arbon valley is access to hunting grounds. A large portion is private but landowners’ usually allow bird hunters access if they ask first. Ask before the season starts, driving up with your buddies packed in a truck with guns and barking dogs will get you a definite “NO” from the landowner.

Ruffed grouse should be fairly easy to find if you concentrate your efforts on one area…WATER! Currently we have fallen back into a drought situation and birds will be found where water is available.

Good bets this season for hunters are the Inman Canyon and Mount Bonneville areas east of Pocatello, the Mink Creek drainage near Scout Mountain and south of Pocatello and Hawkins reservoir area west of McCammon. All of these areas hold water and cover with choke cherry brush.

Looking to bag a few sharp tails? Concentrate your efforts on the Mount Bonneville range near Pebble Creek Ski area. During the past few seasons we have been seeing good numbers of birds. Also, pheasants seem to be in fair numbers in this area. Most of this is Game Management areas or Access YES so you should have plenty of room to hunt using your bird dogs.

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About Dave Langston

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.

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