Sage Grouse, Quail, Partridge Seasons Begin

Hunting seasons for sage grouse, quail and partridge begin September 21. Hunters will find some changes in seasons this fall including the first quail season opening in the Panhandle Region. The Curlew National Grasslands in southeast Idaho have been closed to sage grouse hunting this fall because of declining populations. Other changes for this year are noted on page 8 of the upland game proclamation booklet. Hunters should refer to the booklet for rules governing the species and areas that interest them. Booklets are available at Fish and Game offices, license vendors and on the internet at www2.state.id.us/fishgame Populations of chukars are expected to be well above long-term averages south of the Salmon River but appear to have been reduced by cool, wet weather north of the Salmon. Gray partridge and quail are not subject to the same kind of surveying methods used for chukars but numbers usually reflect the same trends. Hunters are reminded that they need a permit for sage grouse and sharp-tailed grouse hunting. Sharp-tailed grouse season runs through the entire month of October.