Upland Bird Forecast - Upper Snake Region

Upper Snake Region

2023 Conditions – The Upper Snake Region experienced a long and wet winter in 2023. Snowpack was above-average across the region and nearly double the long-term average in portions of eastern Idaho. Snowpack persisted for nearly five months, even at lower elevations of the Snake River plain.  Spring and summer brought average to above-average precipitation to the region, with daily showers in much of June and early August. Summer temperatures across the region have been relatively mild. 

Pheasant

• Trend from last year (2022): Stable
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• There are no formal surveys conducted for pheasant in the Upper Snake Region. The Upper Snake Region continues to stock approximately 2,500 pheasants per year on Mud Lake, Market Lake, and Cartier WMAs. Limited opportunity exists for hunting pheasant in the region, outside of WMAs. Pheasant hunting in 2023 should be similar to previous years.

Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse

• Trend from last year (2022): Stable
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• The Upper Snake Region had above-average productivity in 2022, based on wing data. Spring lek counts in 2023 were lower than 2022 counts, but lingering snowpack may have affected the timing of some counts.  Although bird numbers in spring may have been lower than 2022, nesting and brood-rearing habitat conditions were very good and hunters should expect to see good numbers of young birds this fall. The best hunting is typically found in land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with green forbs or native sagebrush-steppe habitats interspersed with grass and forbs. Throughout the hunting season sharp-tailed grouse will also utilize grain fields, mountain shrub communities and aspen patches.

Chukar

• Trend from last year (2022): Stable
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• Chukar numbers remain low and harvest data over the last five years suggest stable numbers. No chukar surveys are conducted in the Upper Snake Region. 

Gray Partridge (Hun)

• Trend from last year (2022): Stable
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• There are no surveys conducted for gray partridge, but harvest data over the past five years suggest numbers have been stable.  Gray partridge produce large clutches and can be locally abundant depending on weather conditions during the breeding season.  Hunters should look for gray partridge in patches of brush, grass, weeds, or riparian habitat adjacent to agricultural fields.

Forest Grouse (Dusky, Ruffed, Spruce)

• Trend from last year (2022): Stable
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• No surveys are conducted for forest grouse, but harvest data over the past five years suggests relatively stable numbers. With large tracts of suitable habitat, the Upper Snake Region should continue to offer good forest grouse hunting in 2023.