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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Successful Search for Lost Hikers in White Mountains
May 21, 2008
HART’S LOCATION, N.H. - On Thursday, May 15, 2008 at approximately 8:30 p.m., two distressed hikers from Pennsylvania emerged early from a planned multi-day traverse of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
According to Sgt. James Juneau of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, a search and rescue mission for the hikers began Thursday morning. The search was prompted when one of the hikers made a cell phone call for help to the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Limited information provided by the call indicated the hikers’ location to be in the upper reaches of the Dry River Wilderness. The hikers reported they were wet and cold, and off the hiking trail. Deep snow conditions hampered the hikers’ efforts. It was later determined that one of the hikers lost a sneaker while trudging through snow depths of 3-5 feet.
The hikers were identified as Gregory Pine, age 19 of Newtown, PA and Robert Hogan, age 20, of Langhorne, PA. Pine and Langhorne eventually walked themselves out to Route 302 and were relayed to the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch. Both hikers were in fairly good condition, although Pine sustained significant superficial wounds to both feet. Sgt. Juneau stated that lack of snowshoes and appropriate footwear were significant factors leading to Pine and Langhorne calling for help.
In addition to Fish and Game Conservation Officers, personnel from the Appalachian Mountain Club participated in the search.
Fish and Game reminds hikers that winter conditions still exist in parts of the White Mountains and they must be prepared with the right knowledge and gear for extreme changing conditions. Though it may feel like summer where you live, the weather in the Whites is highly unpredictable. Some trails are clear, but many are muddy or icy, and others still have snow.
For information on safe hiking, www.hikeSafe.com.
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Best Trout Fishing Conditions in More Than A Decade
May 12, 2008
The deep snow drifts across backcountry mountain roads have melted and now Arizona’s picturesque trout lakes in the national forests are not only accessible, most have filled and spilled as well, creating premium fishing conditions not seen in more than a decade.
“This is shaping up to be one of our best trout fishing seasons since the El Nino winter of ‘96,” said Kirk Young, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s fisheries chief. “Take advantage of this fishing bonanza while it is available. Who knows when we’ll see water like this again.”
Young added that this is definitely the time of year to catch the larger hold-over trout, possibly even a state record. “With some patches of snow still on the ground, especially in the mixed-conifer and spruce habitats, it’s a great time for a mountain fishing adventure.”
The lakes in the Flagstaff and Williams areas have been open for some time. All of them have been stocked. In fact, Lower Lake Mary near Flagstaff was a huge elk meadow last fall and now not only has plenty of water, it was stocked weeks ago with 28,000 rainbows. Anglers are already reporting limits of trout and fun.
The Mogollon Rim lakes and streams are now open and accessible. All the lakes and streams on the national forests in the White Mountains are open and accessible.
Along the Mogollon Rim, anglers at Woods Canyon, Willow Springs and Bear Canyon have reported catching lots of larger hold-over rainbows. Anglers at Big Lake in the White Mountains have been routinely catching larger rainbows and some big cutthroat as well.
“All the lakes are looking good, so just pick your favorite mountain lake and go. Unplug the electronic I/V’s –– the game boxes, play stations and iPods — load up family and friends, and experience the Arizona outdoors at its best. Don’t miss out,” Young advises.
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