Chukar Count Best in Years

Not since the fabled fall of 1987 has the Brownlee chukar count been as high as this year's and the count has never been higher along the Salmon River in the Clearwater Region. The Idaho Fish and Game aerial count performed September 2 at Brownlee Reservoir in the Southwest Region found 155 chukar per square mile, up 12 percent from last year. Biologists saw 1,855 birds, the most since the banner year of 1987 when 2,652 chukar were counted. Biologists saw fewer groups of the partridge than last year--down by 27 percent-- but the bunches were bigger by a whopping 53 percent. Counts are made over the same 12 square-mile area each year. The 10-year average is 1,345 birds observed in 105 groups for 113.6 birds per square mile. Snake and Salmon River chukar trend routes were surveyed on August 30 and 31, respectively. The number of chukar observed increased substantially from 2002 totals. No surveys were flown in 2003 due to lack of helicopter availability as a result of a busy fire season. The 797 chukar counted on the Snake River route represents an increase of 179 percent from 2002 and is six percent higher than the previous five-year average (1998-2002). Biologists saw 1,722 chukar on the Salmon River route compared to 583 counted in 2002, up 195 percent. This total represents the highest number ever counted on this survey route and exceeds the previous five-year average by 84 percent. The 2002 surveys likely under represented actual chukar numbers as a result of being flown during cool rainy weather. The number of birds counted was down markedly that year from previous surveys, but hunters reported excellent bird numbers throughout the season. Nearly two inches of rain fell in Lewiston during the week prior to the 2004 survey. This caused a flush of greenup and likely dispersed birds prior to the surveys. Only 17 percent of the chukars tallied in 2004 were counted on the low elevation transects. These conditions could result in a lower percentage of available birds being tallied on the surveys as was likely observed in 2002. Therefore, the actual number of birds may be higher than observed during the 2004 survey. Chukar may not be doing as well in the Salmon Region along the Middle Fork and Upper Salmon River, according to ground observations. The annual count is closely watched by Idaho bird hunters because it is conducted in popular hunting areas and is taken as a general guide to game bird numbers in the upcoming hunting season. Biologists caution, however, that weather and other factors in other places can lead to a wide variation in bird numbers across Idaho. The chukar partridge season opens September 18 along with the hunt for gray partridge, quail and sage grouse.