One of the main goals of the UCWF is to support solid scientific wildlife management.
Through continued education, study, and legislation we strive to enhance upland game management practices. Below are some of our most recent endeavors.
THE UCWF HELPS WITH GREATER SAGE GROUSE BROOD COUNTS
This year (2010) has been an interesting reproductive year (possibly an anomaly) compared to historic data. Nest initiation was drastically low, with only ~ 30% of radio-marked hens being located on nests. This may be biased because we did not start monitoring nesting behavior until mid May (however, same as other years). This is much lower than historic values for this population. This would result in much fewer broods on the landscape compared to most years. According to our pointing dog surveys within the PLP plots, the total number of grouse in general, and broods specifically, was lower in 2010 relative to past years (2007 was the only year lower). Therefore, nesting may have been negatively impacted by environmental conditions (extreme snow pack), however, it seems chick survival and production has been more normal to above average. Habitat conditions were good to excellent in 2010 for brood-rearing based on visual observations.
Pointing dogs have proven their worth to this project year after year. The information they help provide has allowed managers to gear habitat management of brooding areas specifically based on sage-grouse use preference. Spike treated areas have consistently been preferred by sage-grouse, and especially broods, on Parker Mountain. Management at larger scales (adaptive management) has and will be designed accordingly. The use of dog-handler/volunteers from the UCWF has been an integral part of this project, and critical to its success. Specifically, the popularity and availability of volunteers with Astro GPS units has been an asset to this project. We look forward to many more years of combined efforts to learn more about sage-grouse brooding activities and production on Parker Mountain.
In addition to counts, the use of the Astro Units has proved invaluable for gaining information in a distance sampling regime. Researchers are able to easily download randomly placed transects to volunteer units. Volunteers can readily follow transect lines and record data on their GPS units, which can be downloaded and emailed back to researchers. We foresee being able to calculate sage-grouse densities across summer habitats using this method and program distance.
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2010 CONSERVATION LEGISLATION UPDATE
2010 will be a great year for upland game in Utah.
The UCWF wants to let our members know we continue to be a strong voice for upholding academics & ethics in wildlife management; particularly as it pertains to Utah upland laws.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) has been gracious enough to let us participate in the brainstorming process for upcoming upland game laws and regulations; many of these ideas/recommendations came straight from our members. We applaud you, and the UDWR for such interest in upland game in Utah.
About a dozen upland game enthusiasts met with the UDWR Upland Game Coordinator & Project Leader on the evening of August 4th 2010 to provide recommendations for the next 3 year Upland Game Rule and Guidebook. The UDWR will now work internally (e.g. with the 5 Regions) & should have their final recommendations ready by early next year for presentation to the RACs & the Wildlife Board in May/June 2011. The UDWR set 3 priorities at the beginning of the meeting, these were: Simplifying the Guidebook; youth hunting opportunities; & considering the “average” upland hunters – not just the hard core enthusiasts.
One important discussion involved “fixed” start dates every year (e.g. 5th of September) vs. the traditional Saturday openers. Fixed dates may become necessary if the UDWR moves to fixed dates for all future big game hunts. This will be decided in Nov / Dec in the RAC/Board process & meetings for big game hunting. It appeared that all – or nearly all – of the attendees found fixed dates acceptable, and in many cases preferable, to current Saturday openers.
A few notes from the meeting are below:
1. Favorable views for keeping the later-opening partridge season (4th Saturday in Sep) with proposals for a later, fixed-date opener (Oct 1st)
2. Favorable views towards opening the forest grouse season earlier, in conjunction with all other western states (on Sep. 1st)
3. Favorable views towards extending hunter opportunity for ptarmigan in Utah, by extending the season (to Oct 31st)
4. Favorable views on keeping the later-opening for Sage and Sharp-tailed grouse (4th Saturday in Sep), with proposals for a later, fixed-date opener (Oct 1st), and for keeping the dates aligned with the partridge season.
5. Favorable views towards extending hunter opportunity for Snowshoe Hare in Utah, by extending the season (to March 15th)
6. Favorable views towards the coinciding of dove, forest grouse, snowshoe hare & cottontail rabbit seasons, specifically for youth hunter initiation (All beginning Sep. 1st)
7. Consideration towards an increased “possession” limit, (i.e. 3 bag limits, instead of just 2)
8. Favorable views towards more youth hunting opportunities via special youth hunts.
9. Favorable views on more education regarding hunting ethics near desert water sources, and education (via internet/mail) on sage grouse harvest and conservation.
The above items, and more, were discussed at the recent brainstorm meeting with UDWR officials and upland enthusiasts. It was our pleasure to be your voice. And again, many thanks go out to the UDWR for asking and valuing our input.
The upland season is upon us, but let us not forget the many seasons to come.
The Utah Chukar & Wildlife Foundation
• Become a member.
• Donate time, money, or goods.
• VOLUNTEER!
• Become a sponsor.
The Utah Chukar & Wildlife Foundation has many current and future goals (many of these are long term):
1.) Continue to support various Chukar Studies. Currently we are planning a study to determine the best methods to release wild and pen raised birds. These Chukar Studies will become the road map for future Chukar management in Utah. We fully support these studies and hope they will be a spring board to improved management.
2.) Using information from the studies, ensure each region implements its chukar transplant and guzzler location priority list.
3. ) Provide feedback and recommendations to the Utah Habitat Council on how to appropriate state upland monies.
4.) Aid in transplanting wild and pen raised chukars througout each region.
5.) Continue supporting the youth chukar and pheasant hunts. The future of hunting depends on our youth.
6.) Be involved in upland management decisions and legislation, The UCWF was a driving force for the recent proclamation changes and improvements
7.) Assist with sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, and forest grouse counts/studies. Be involved in habitat improvement for all upland game species.
8.) Provide money and a volunteer work force that will help make upland game projects and research happen throughout Utah. 25 Guzzlers installations are planned in the Central Region and another 12 are planned for the Northern Region.
9.) Help promote the creatian of a dedicated Utah guzzler crew.
10.) Continue to work hard to be a strong voice for upland game advocates in Utah
11.) Manage and maintain a better, interactive upland website.
