Chukar Survey Indicates Numbers Down This Year

LEWISTON - A survey of chukar partridge conducted by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game along the Snake and Salmon rivers indicates that hunters may find less of the popular gamebirds this fall. The mid-August helicopter survey of portions of the lower Salmon River and lower Snake River breaks recorded a 51 percent decrease in chukar numbers along the Salmon and a 37 percent decrease along the Snake. Biologists counted 583 this year along the Salmon River, compaired to 1,192 last year. Along the Snake River, 286 chukars were counted this year, compaired to 875 last year. With the statistics looking poor, Fish and Game Wildlife Manager Jay Crenshaw expects hunters will need to hunt harder to have opportunities of harvesting some of the strong flying birds. "It appears the wet, cool and long spring is likely to blame for the lower numbers," Crenshaw said. "Chukars, just like other upland game birds, are vulnerable to foul weather during the nesting season." Chukars were brought to the United States from their native India in 1893. The first 100 released into Idaho were hatched at an IDFG game farm in Lapwai in 1933.