Say the words sharp-tailed grouse and most bird hunters think of the windswept prairies of the Dakotas, the Sand hills of Nebraska or perhaps the high lonesome of eastern Montana.
Historically though, seven subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse were found in two thirds of the lower 48 states from Michigan to California, Alaska and in the Canadian provinces from Quebec west to the Yukon Territories. The New Mexico sharp tail subspecies was declared extinct in 1952, leaving six, some with huntable populations and others reduced to only remnants of their former populations. Good populations of sharp tails still exist in the northern Plains states, eastern Montana and Alaska, as well the Intermountain West.
Many bird hunters are surprised that the Mountain West states of Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Colorado boast huntable populations of sharp-tailed grouse. The subspecies found there is the Columbian sharp tail, first noticed and categorized as a different subspecies from the Plains sharp tail by none other than Lewis and Clark. Of those four states, Idaho is reported to have some of the most robust populations and the longest season. As of press time, the season runs from Oct. 1–31 with roughly the eastern third of the state open to hunting. And the daily bag limit is two birds per day, four in possession. While there are more commonalties among sharp tail subspecies than differences, there are some unique habits of the Columbian subspecies that can make hunting for them a challenge. At times, the Columbian subspecies can be found near ruffed grouse habitat.
Habits and Habitats
Denne historien er fra Autumn 2017-utgaven av The Upland Almanac.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Autumn 2017-utgaven av The Upland Almanac.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tailfeathers
The essence of fly fishing, I think I've decided, is time.
Ten Questions with Tim Flagler, Fly Tyer/Cook Extraordinaire
Culinary Creations from Gordon Hamersley
GREY on the Wing
Hands clutching the wheel of a large, lumbering vehicle whose vintage and purpose partially prompted the invention of \"powering steering,\" disengaged the clutch and applied the brakes, bringing it to a stop.
James Purdey & Sons Ltd.One of London's "Best"
At the conclusion of a recent breakfast meeting of the Shrewsbury Men's Club of Massachusetts, I was packing up my show-and-tell aids after giving a presentation.
WAWAWAI
I don't chase chukars anymore, but from the time I was 16, chukar hunting had been my favorite bird hunting endeavor.
A FAIR EXCHANGE
Among the concerns faced by many small community gun clubs here in the Northeast is our inability to attract and maintain new and younger shooters.
Coming to Heel
I'n the world of gun dogs, it's not unusual that retrievers are taught to heel.
Bird Dogs - Health Matters
Avoiding Medical Mishaps on the Road
MATT HART
Matt Hart, owner, designer and artist of Hartist Metals, is a highly skilled metal sculptor based in the picturesque Catskill Mountains of New York.
Luigi Franchi Imperial Monte Carlo Extra: One of Italy's "Best" SxS Doubles
As on London’s gun-maker’s row, Italians had skilled craftsmen who made “Best” guns of superb quality