Upland Birds Will Be as Good as The Habitat

Forest grouse, pheasant, quail and partridge numbers across the state vary with the availability of good habitat, which boosts overwinter survival of broodstock and spring survival of chicks. WDFW biologists will have a better picture after completing late summer surveys, so watch for updates through local news media and on the website. In eastern Washington overwinter survival of upland gamebirds might not have been as high as last year, but the warmer drier spring and early summer probably helped with chick survival. In western Washington, upland bird hunters can anticipate a fair to good year because the spring brooding season was drier than normal and had a couple of extended dry spells in late May and June.

Forest grouse hunting should be equal to or better than last year.

Last year valley quail populations were high and provided excellent hunting. This year quail overwintering populations were good and the expectation is for another good quail year, especially in eastern Washington. Yakima, Okanogan, Benton and Chelan counties have had the highest harvest.

Chukar partridge are found in the breaks and steep hillsides along the Columbia, Yakima and Snake Rivers. Good over-winter survival of adult birds along with favorable weather during the brooding season is a good omen.

The forecast for pheasant hunting is based primarily on brood surveys completed in August so information is not available. Preliminary indications suggest a low number of adults in the Columbia Basin, but in the Yakima area higher adult over-winter survival was noted. Pheasant hunting will be spotty at best this year. WDFW will be releasing pheasants throughout eastern Washington during the first half of the season. The Western Washington Pheasant Release Program is continuing, check for details by contacting the regional offices.