Bird Hunters Encouraged to Submit Wings

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game reminds upland game bird hunters that they can help monitor game bird populations by depositing one fully feathered wing from their harvested birds into wing barrels placed along some major travel routes in bird hunting areas. In 2005 the department will also test a program to gather more wings from hunters by sending out 1,000 packets to a random sample of sage and sharp-tailed grouse hunters in the Upper Snake and Southeast regions. These packets ask hunters to use enclosed envelopes to send in a wing from sage and sharp-tailed grouse that they harvest. Packets will be also available by e-mailing a request to idfg-staff@idfg.idaho.gov so interested hunters can voluntarily submit a wing to help with the study. Because age and sometimes sex can be determined from the feathers, IDFG can use the wing information to help determine the status of various game bird populations. For example, the percentage of juveniles and adults provides information on chick production rates of game bird populations. The information collected will help IDFG improve management of this important hunting resource. Hunters are reminded that one fully-feathered wing or head must be left naturally attached to any dressed game bird, except turkey. Naturally attached parts are needed so enforcement and management personnel can identify the species and sex of harvested birds.