Upland Bird Forecast - Southeast Region

Southeast Region

2024 Conditions – Winter conditions across the southeast region were essentially average (some areas with slightly over 100% snow water equivalent and some with slightly less). Spring brought good rainfall across the region and intermittent rains have occurred throughout August, although July was quite hot and dry. Conditions for nesting and brood rearing should have been good in the early summer. Fields reports are mixed across the region. In general, hunters should expect similar to slightly increased numbers of upland birds this year when compared to last.

Pheasant

• Trend from last year (2023): Stable
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• There are no surveys conducted for pheasant in the Southeast Region: however, field observations suggest numbers and productivity are relatively stable compared to last year.  Pheasant stocking will continue at Portneuf and Sterling WMAs.

Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse

• Trend from last year (2023): Stable/Increasing
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• Lek surveys occurred during March and April and it is likely that were delayed this spring with a lingering winter and snow-covered fields in early April. Leks that were surveyed had good numbers of birds; however, field reports suggest that this was a relatively poor nesting year. Biologists have observed few broods while out doing field work. Hunters should expect to find adult birds and fewer young birds this fall.

Chukar

• Trend from last year (2023): Stable
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• Chukar numbers remain low and are found in only a few localized areas in the Southeast Region.

Gray Partridge (Hun)

• Trend from last year (2023): Stable/Increasing
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• There are no surveys conducted for gray partridge in the Southeast Region. However, biologists observed many pairs in the western portion of the region during early spring. Incidental information and good nesting/brooding conditions suggests numbers may be similar or slightly higher when compared to last year.

Forest Grouse (Dusky, Ruffed, Spruce)

• Trend from last year (2023): Stable/Increasing
• 10-Year Trend (2014-2023): Stable
• No surveys are conducted for forest grouse in the Southeast Region, but harvest data over the past 5 years suggests relatively stable numbers. Sportsmen reports give a general trend from both ruffed and dusky grouse numbers. As with other species, nesting and brood rearing conditions were good this year and there may be slightly more birds around as early nesting conditions were quite poor in 2023 with the lingering winter.