Upland Bird Forecast - Clearwater Region

Clearwater Region

2024 Conditions – An early and mild spring brought fair nesting and brood-rearing conditions for upland game birds. By March, snow was quickly receding from lower elevations of the Clearwater Region. Abnormally warm and dry conditions prompted early growth of forbs and grasses, providing quality forages during early summer. Sporadic precipitation events during early and late brood-rearing periods kept mesic corridors across the Palouse and Camas prairies green for much of the summer, prolonging the presence of quality forage and insect resources. Despite drier than normal conditions this year, upland game birds fared well across the Clearwater. 

Large, mixed first- and second-brood coveys have been observed during the late summer, suggesting that weather conditions may have interrupted the first nesting period for many upland game birds. However, it appears conditions improved during second nesting attempts. Secondary nest production has resulted in large broods of quail throughout many reaches of the Clearwater, Salmon and Snake Rivers. Pheasant numbers and brood success appear comparable to previous years. Forest grouse numbers also appear promising and seem to have benefitted from mild over-winter and spring conditions. Chukar numbers continue to remain strong this season with large broods observed throughout the breaks of the Snake and Salmon Rivers. Overall, upland hunters should expect another year of good-to-excellent upland bird hunting across the Clearwater Region.

Pheasant

• There are no formal surveys for pheasants conducted in the Clearwater Region. Anecdotal observations from field staff suggest brood success was fair and populations appear comparable to previous years. As part of the pheasant stocking program, releases will begin this fall on the Craig Mountain WMA – Redbird Parcel, Genesee Release Area, Palouse Youth-only Area and Petersen Loop Area.

Chukar

• There are no formal surveys for chukar in the Clearwater Region. Despite the lack of a formal survey, regional biologists documented strong numbers of chukars with large broods along the Snake River incidentally during bighorn sheep surveys in early July. Subsequent observations provided by Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area staff also indicate chukar populations are doing well. Chukar hunting should be on par with or slightly better than last year’s season.

Gray Partridge (Hun)

• There are no formal surveys for huns conducted in the Clearwater Region. Field staff working on the Palouse report fair hun numbers primarily occupying agricultural edge habitats of the Palouse.

California Quail

• There are no formal surveys for quail conducted in the Clearwater Region. However, reports from field staff across the region suggest quail populations remain strong and will be supplemented well this fall by second broods. Quail are found throughout much of the Clearwater’s front country, but numbers are particularly strong along riparian corridors shrouded with blackberry in drainages of the Clearwater, Snake, and Salmon Rivers.

Mourning Dove

• A total of 422 mourning doves were counted on regional routes in 2022 (1.75 doves observed per mile surveyed). This total represents a 63 percent increase from the 259 tallied in 2021. The 10-year average is 416 doves.

Forest Grouse (Dusky, Ruffed, Spruce)

• There are no formal surveys for forest grouse in the Clearwater Region. However, favorable spring and summer conditions appear to have contributed to high chick production and survival. Localized, soft mast production was abundant across timbered landscapes which also prolonged food resource availability for forest grouse. Forest grouse hunting should be excellent this season.