Dusky (blue) Grouse Range Expanded to Mogollon Rim by Arizona Game and Fish
September 19, 2008
Chicken-sized bird offers upland hunters and bird-watchers a unique opportunity
PHOENIX — The dusky “blue” grouse’s population and range are increasing in Arizona due to recent translocation efforts by the Arizona Game and Fish Department to offer upland hunters, bird watchers, and outdoor recreationists another area to enjoy this unique bird.
Over a two-week-long effort in July, Arizona Game and Fish biologists, wildlife managers and interns worked tirelessly in the field to capture 20 birds near Moab, Utah, and then 12 more from the north Kaibab Plateau in Arizona. Thirty-two blue grouse in total were captured, banded, and some fitted with transmitters, and then released near the Rim Lakes on the Mogollon Rim.
“This first translocation went very well. Many thanks go to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, who allowed us to capture grouse from their state. Utah has a much more robust dusky grouse population, and we were able to capture a lot of birds in a short time,” states Ron Day, small game, predator and furbearer biologist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Dusky grouse, previously referred to as blue grouse, are the second largest of the grouse family. Males can weigh up to 3 pounds. They are a dusky blue-grey color and, like most grouse, exhibit the broad fan-tail with a distinctive band across the feathers. Their habitat consists of subalpine mixed conifer forests of Douglas fir, spruce, aspen and grassland meadow areas for foraging. Before this translocation, blue grouse could only be found on the North Kaibab Plateau, the highest peaks of the White Mountains, and a very limited range atop the San Francisco Peaks.
“Our research determined this area of the Mogollon Rim has a large amount of contiguous mixed conifer habitat that is very suitable for grouse,” says Day. “Our goal is to bring this unique bird into sustainable populations to offer sportsmen and wildlife watchers a closer location to enjoy these birds.”
In the second year of a five-year effort to expand the range of the blue grouse to this region, additional translocations may involve up to four different release sites and, when established, should provide for sustainable populations for years to come.
The project is funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Program, which generates its funding through excise taxes on firearms, ammunitions, archery equipment and arrow components and then apportions the funding to state wildlife agencies.
However, grouse hunters should note that Unit 4A and 5A are closed hunting areas. There is no hunting allowed in the area of a translocation for five years after the last transplant date. For example, if this were the last translocation, these birds could not be hunted until 2013.
Also, turkey hunters in Units 4A and 5A are cautioned to be certain of their target. Blue grouse look very similar to a young turkey.
For future hunters, the prospect of hunting this challenging bird and then taking in some trout fishing on the Mogollon Rim will be well worth today’s efforts. Science-based translocation programs follow the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and are designed to increase diversity of wildlife populations throughout the state and beyond to the benefit of all citizens.
For more information about the Arizona Game and Fish Department, visit www.azgfd.gov
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Arizona Dove Hunters Can Extend Their Wingshooting by Heading to the Mountains
September 12, 2008
PHOENIX — The early dove season closes Monday, Sept. 15, but wingshooters can extend their wingshooting opportunities by heading to the high country and pursuing band-tailed pigeons, blue grouse and chukar partridge beginning this Friday, Sept. 12
After hunting dove in unseasonably hot desert temperatures, a retreat up north, where the daytime temperatures typically only reach 80 degrees, may be just what the doctor ordered. Band-tailed pigeons, blue grouse and chukar offer wingshooters a challenging and rewarding experience as well as great eating.
“The forecast for all three species looks to be above average to good thanks to the excellent snow and rainfall we received this winter,” says Randy Babb, Game and Fish biologist and avid hunter. “That precipitation brings the plants, bugs, seeds and acorns that are needed for new recruitment and healthy populations.”
Band-tailed pigeon season is divided into two zones. The northern zone is open from Sept. 12 to Oct. 5, while the southern zone opens Sept. 19 and runs through the same closing date of Oct. 5 (see regulations for boundaries). Band-tails inhabit ponderosa pine forests, or dense stands of evergreen oaks and pines between 4,500 and 9,100 feet elevation. They can be found in mid-morning visiting water holes and typically are in areas with high concentrations of oak acorns, elderberries, and pinion nuts . For more details, see the 2008-09 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations at www.azgfd.gov/rules.
Blue grouse season runs from Sept. 12 to Nov. 16. Blue grouse are bluish-gray, chicken- sized birds restricted to subalpine elevations above 8,500 feet in mixed conifer and aspen forests. Birds can be found at the edges of the forest and meadow areas foraging for food. (old logging roads are good places to hunt in appropriate habitat.) Grouse hunters are reminded that Units 4A and 5A are closed, and to be certain of their target: baby turkey (poults) look similar to blue grouse. Turkey can only be hunted with a special hunt permit-tag. For more details see the 2008-09 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations at www.azgfd.gov/rules.
Chukar partridge season is liberal and runs from Sept. 12, 2008 – Feb. 8, 2009. However, Arizona has an extremely limited population of chukar. Good starting points for attempting this hunt can be found in the rough canyon country of Snake Gulch and Kanab Creek north of the Grand Canyon. For more details see the 2008-09 Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations at www.azgfd.gov/rules.
Any of these hunts can be combined with a family camping vacation and offer a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. Besides the hunting aspect, getting outdoors is a great way to teach youngsters about wildlife and nature.
For more information about small game hunting in Arizona, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site www.azgfd.gov/hunting.
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