Sage-grouse Season Opens Down a Little

Sage-grouse harvest and hunter numbers on opening weekend were down slightly in 2012 compared to previous years, but Idaho Fish and Game ran fewer check stations this year. Statewide, 563 hunters checked 270 birds in 2012, compared to 615 hunters and 277 birds in 2011. Hunter success was highest in the Owyhees, but similar throughout the rest of southern Idaho. Hunter success, as measured in birds per hunter or hours per bird, was up slightly this year. On average, 0.48 birds were harvested per hunter and it took an average of 7.4 hours per hunter to harvest one bird. Fish and Game ran six check stations this past weekend, targeting sage-grouse hunters throughout southern Idaho. At check stations, Fish and Game personnel queried hunters on their success, number of hours hunted, and numbers of birds seen. They also collected one wing from each bird checked, which provides important information on annual productivity. The 2012 sage-grouse hunting season continues through September 21.