Sage grouse looking is a privilege that comes with important accountability.
Every September, an inexplicable reverence stirs inside me as I patiently await the possibility to roam Wyoming’s boundless public lands in pursuit of the fowl that holds my coronary heart—the long-lasting sage grouse. There’s one thing virtually religious about entering into the huge sea of sagebrush and feeling the panorama’s timeless pull.
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For a lot of hunters, pursuing these majestic birds is a uncommon, once-in-a-lifetime journey, usually meticulously deliberate months or years forward. Preparation and information are key with a purpose to respect and succeed on this journey.
The place Can You Hunt Sage Grouse?
Sage grouse populations stretch throughout eleven western states—Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. But solely seven states nonetheless allow sage grouse looking, and season lengths and bag limits are rigorously managed.
Amongst these seven, three locations stand out as sage grouse strongholds, owing to the abundance of huge stretches of sagebrush inside their borders that these birds depend upon: southeastern Idaho, japanese Montana, and central Wyoming—the very coronary heart of the place I hunt and dwell. Nevertheless, one state reigns supreme concerning sage grouse numbers and looking alternatives: Wyoming.
Wyoming holds roughly 38 % of the world’s sage grouse inhabitants, and with extra public land open to looking than anyplace else, it’s actually the crown jewel for these pursuing this treasured sport fowl.
Sage Grouse Identification
Figuring out birds within the area may be difficult, particularly when looking species you might be unfamiliar with. One useful resource I all the time advocate is the free All About Birds information from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Its “4 keys to identification”—dimension and form, general shade and sample, conduct, and habitat—are extremely useful for studying to tell apart birds.
When figuring out the Better Sage-Grouse, dimension is among the greatest indicators. As the biggest grouse in North America, they’re recognized for his or her giant, plump our bodies, small heads, and lengthy, pointed tails. Grownup males are virtually twice the dimensions of grownup females, and their dimension and look can change drastically throughout shows. In comparison with different extra readily recognized birds, they’re bigger than a pheasant however smaller than a wild turkey.
Sage grouse sport a coloration of mottled darkish brown and grey with a particular black stomach, a key characteristic that each women and men share. Nevertheless, males may be recognized by their white breast ruff, black throat, and yellow eye combs. Females have a dusky cheek patch highlighted by white markings behind their eyes, and juveniles and yearlings are sometimes smaller, paler variations of their grownup counterparts. Wing feathers and molt stage are one of the best ways to point younger birds’ ages.
In Wyoming, it’s common to come across sage grouse and dusky grouse inside the similar habitat. At many elevations, they might even be discovered intermingling throughout their morning feedings. This makes it essential to grasp their variations earlier than pulling the set off. The starkest variations might be of their bellies and tails. Dusky grouse have shorter, even, square-tipped tails and lack the black stomach of sage grouse. Duskies are additionally smaller.
In some states, hunters may additionally want to tell apart sage grouse from sharp-tailed grouse and hen pheasants. Sharp-tailed grouse are considerably smaller and have a browner look, a pale or buff stomach, and a brief, pointed tail. Whereas related in dimension to sage grouse and having lengthy, pointed tails, hen pheasants are extra buff-brown in shade, making them simpler to inform aside. Whereas the variations could seem minimal, with apply, you’ll quickly shortly study to tell apart these birds from each other.
Sage Grouse Habits Throughout Looking Season
For a lot of the 12 months, sage grouse are simple to miss. In contrast to different grouse species, sage grouse don’t roost in bushes; they roost and loaf on the bottom, counting on sagebrush for canopy. Like most different Western upland birds, the most effective looking alternatives happen three hours after dawn and three hours earlier than sundown. Throughout these home windows, they transfer between roosting and feeding areas, leaving loads of scent for fowl canines to trace.
Sage grouse could seem gradual and deliberate on the bottom, however they’re spectacular fliers. Although they’ve slower wing beats than different grouse, sage grouse can attain as much as 50 mph in stage flight, permitting them to soar lengthy distances as soon as airborne. On the bottom, they often favor to stroll, usually overlaying lower than a mile per day. Because of their brief legs, they hardly ever run. As an alternative of sprinting away from hazard, they often depend on their glorious camouflage or take flight to evade threats. Which means should you’re after a mature fowl, or a “bomber,” listen through the covey rise. Watch for the biggest, darkest fowl of the bunch.
Because the looking season progresses and strain will increase, sage grouse could develop into extra skittish. Chances are you’ll discover they unexpectedly flush wild, supplying you with little likelihood to do something apart from marvel at them as they soar past gun vary. However don’t fear if the primary flush takes you unexpectedly. Keep prepared—there’s usually a second flush of stragglers who had been initially too cautious to take off with the remainder of the covey.
What Does Sage Grouse Habitat Look Like?
Sage grouse thrive within the huge sagebrush flats that stretch throughout the American West, as this distinctive habitat is the one one they name dwelling. In Wyoming, hunters usually discover success on giant parcels of public land, freed from bushes, the place uninterrupted areas of sagebrush sprawl at elevations starting from 5,000 to 9,000 ft.
As a result of their food regimen is intently tied to their habitat, understanding what sage grouse are feeding on makes it simpler to find them. Within the winter, they primarily depend on sagebrush leaves for survival, whereas within the spring and summer season, they complement their food regimen with forbs, flowers, and bugs like grasshoppers. Within the early fall as their diets are transitioning, sage grouse are sometimes present in moist meadows close to springs, particularly these adjoining to giant swaths of sagebrush. These areas are inclined to have taller and extra sturdy sagebrush that creates a denser cover, providing ample cowl.
Hunters can even discover luck working sagebrush attracts main from inventory ponds or small reservoirs. When scouting a promising space, indicators like feathers and droppings may be key indicators of sage grouse presence. Contemporary sage grouse scat is distinctive, however you will need to know that their droppings shift in look as they transition from consuming forbs and bugs to a food regimen of one hundred pc sagebrush. Fall scat can fluctuate from single, extra liquid-like greenish-white droppings to a pile of scat that seems like Cheeto’s accompanying tar-like droppings. Discover contemporary scat, and also you’ll discover sage grouse. It’s a certain signal that birds are close by.
It’s a little-known undeniable fact that sage grouse are the one animals that may survive on a pure sagebrush food regimen. Whereas sheep, elk, and pronghorn eat sagebrush, all of them devour it with different vegetation to thrive. As a result of the sage grouse’s digestive system is uniquely outfitted to deal with sagebrush’s risky oils, their tar-like scat, generally known as cecal tar, is a byproduct of their specialised intestine, which permits them to separate and excrete these oils.
What You Want To Hunt Sage Grouse
Like every outside journey, having the best gear could make all of the distinction. My high tip? Convey extra water than you assume you will want, then double it. Each you and your canines will want loads of hydration, particularly for the reason that Western prairies in early fall are sometimes sizzling and arid. Sage grouse are usually present in treeless areas, which suggests no shade, and each you and your canines will sweat and dehydrate quicker than you understand. Packing electrolyte dietary supplements alongside together with your water is one other nice option to keep forward of dehydration.
Sage grouse looking may also be unpredictable. You may bag your restrict straight out of the truck or spend your complete day climbing underneath a blazing solar, and you’ll by no means know which possibility you can be dealt. Subsequently, I’m an enormous advocate for investing in a very good pair of light-weight, uninsulated boots paired with wool socks and good brush pants.
My clothes advice is steadily met with skepticism. Positive, you’ll be able to hunt in denims, a t-shirt, and any ol’ pair of climbing boots, however after a number of miles, if you’re drenched in sweat, your legs are chafing, and your ft are sore, you’ll want you had higher gear. High quality brush pants defend your legs from the tough brush and preserve the stickers and cactus out, whereas light-weight boots make the miles extra bearable.
Whereas sporting blaze orange isn’t a authorized requirement for fowl looking in Wyoming, I all the time advocate sporting not less than one merchandise for security, particularly because you’ll seemingly be sharing the world with massive sport hunters. By late September, deer and pronghorn archery seasons are in full swing, and rifle season for pronghorn opens in some areas on September 1. For me, the peace of thoughts that comes with sporting somewhat blaze orange far outweighs any danger of an unintended encounter with different hunters.
If you wish to take advantage of a DIY hunt, I can’t advocate a very good e-scouting device like OnX Maps sufficient. Pre-hunt analysis is essential, particularly when looking wild birds in a restricted season window. Digital scouting is extremely useful for pinpointing areas with promising habitat and close by water sources, saving you and your canines a whole lot of frustration and supplying you with a greater shot at success. Scouting is essential, and placing within the effort beforehand can imply the distinction between coming dwelling empty-handed and having the possibility to shoulder your gun in a first-rate location.
Pointing Canine Versus Flushing Canine
Finding sage grouse generally is a time-consuming endeavor, generally burning hours of time and miles climbing throughout an in any other case empty prairie. Given the vastness of sage grouse nation, I favor a wide-ranging pointing canine.
Early season circumstances, with intense warmth and lack of shade, dictate that these canines should know tempo themselves from the get-go to keep away from burning out or affected by heat-related accidents. I particularly worth canines that may not solely find birds effectively but additionally maintain a gentle level till the hunters are able to flush. In any such hunt, persistence and endurance are as necessary as velocity.
Shotguns and Shot Sizes
Whereas 12- and 20-gauge shotguns are the go-to for a lot of upland hunters, I personally love carrying my 20-gauge O/U RFM SK Feather from Upland Gun Firm. As a passionate wild fowl hunter in Wyoming, I discover a versatile, light-weight gun is value its weight in gold. It permits me to remain out longer and canopy extra floor with out getting weighed down. The power to shortly change out shot sizes and chokes makes it preferrred for all the pieces from giant sage grouse to the fast-flying Hungarian partridge.
For sage grouse, I favor #6 shot with a modified shotgun choke within the first barrel and an improved modified choke within the second, which provides me extra flexibility for each shut and lengthy pictures within the wide-open terrain. One tip I share with hunters, particularly these coming from the East, who’re used to looking in tighter quarters, is to embrace longer pictures. The vastness of the panorama and the wariness of sage grouse usually require taking pictures past what you might be accustomed to, so don’t be afraid to push your vary a bit.
Keep Secure In Sage Grouse Nation
Preparation and consciousness are key to having fun with the uncooked great thing about sage grouse nation whereas protecting your self and your canine protected.
The excessive desert and sagebrush steppe, that’s, sage grouse nation, is an extremely dramatic, distant, and largely untouched panorama. Its rugged, remoted nature calls for additional warning. You’ll seemingly cowl miles of tough terrain, and your health will immediately influence how a lot floor you’ll be able to cowl. If you’re in mountainous terrain, you may also face important elevation adjustments, so being in good cardiovascular form is important.
If you’re coming from decrease altitudes, particularly from close to sea stage, know that the thinner air at excessive altitudes could make bodily exertion really feel tougher, leading to altitude illness. With the best precautions, you’ll be able to handle this by consuming loads of water and electrolytes and consuming mild, nutritious meals. In case you assume adjusting to elevation is perhaps powerful, take into account arriving a day early to present your physique time to acclimate earlier than your hunt.
September climate within the West, particularly in mountainous areas like Wyoming, may be wildly unpredictable. I usually equate it to a toddler studying to work by way of the steps of emotional regulation. Cool, frosty mornings steadily give option to scorching afternoons. It’s best to decorate in layers to adapt to altering temperatures and all the time pack a rain jacket for sudden thunderstorms or wind bursts.
One often-overlooked tip: pack allergy remedy. The wind right here carries a whole lot of mud and pollen, and also you by no means know the way it may have an effect on you.
Rattlesnakes are one other issue to pay attention to, notably on sizzling afternoons when they’re most lively. Even should you don’t see them, they’re round. Rattlesnake avoidance coaching for canines is very advisable. Whereas opinions on the rattlesnake vaccine fluctuate inside the fowl canine group, I personally favor to vaccinate all my information canines yearly. I all the time inform folks to do what they view is greatest for them and their canines however for me, it’s about prevention. You already know that saying, an oz of prevention is value a pound of treatment? I’m no professional in veterinary science, however I’d relatively really feel ready upfront than should query my selections on the again finish if my canine faces a life-threatening scenario within the area.
Different hazards embrace badgers, porcupines, skunks, and cactus. Whereas the chance is low, you will need to preserve your canine from chasing badgers. Not solely might a badger chew might result in a hunt-ending harm nevertheless it might probably transmit illness. Trapping can be quite common out West, carrying cable cutters in case your canine encounters a trapper’s snare is a good suggestion. Additionally, you will need to have hemostats for porcupine quills and tweezers for cactus spines. I additionally advocate for having a pre-mixed bottle of skunk odor remover in your truck as a result of there’s nothing worse than sharing quarters with a canine that has been sprayed.
Sage Grouse Looking Ethics
I spend a rare period of time within the prairies. Most of that point is spent strolling and watching. I get immense pleasure from easy remark. Statement permits me to gather knowledge concerning the birds, the panorama, the obtainable sources, and the interactions of different species and people. I take advantage of this knowledge to strategize how and after I work together, if in any respect, with this delicate species. Being linked to each the birds and the land offers me an overarching sense of delight that I maintain sacred.
As hunters, we’re stewards of the land and the wildlife we pursue, and as such we should all the time be reflecting on our influence. Given the unsure way forward for sage grouse looking, I urge each hunter to strategy their hunt with a eager sense of ethics. The accountability to guard these birds by way of conscious looking strain and selective harvest is paramount. Looking with the best intentions and balancing consumption with conservation, is important to safeguarding the long-term livelihood of this species. This might be an expertise that can etch itself into your reminiscence for a lifetime to come back. Know that should you get the possibility to hunt these iconic birds, it’s a priceless expertise to be cherished, revered, and revered.
As you attempt to make your hunt unforgettable, you’ll inevitably end up able during which you need to make deliberate moral selections, a lot of which can revolve round how selective you can be in your taking pictures and take. These selections revolve round evaluating your moral stance on re-flushing coveys, taking pictures a number of birds from a single covey, revisiting the identical looking grounds a number of instances, and contemplating what you’ll do should you wound a fowl you can’t get well. When looking such a fragile species, the ideas of honest chase develop into much more vital. Your moral compass ought to be stauncher with sage grouse than it’d in any other case be with different upland birds.
Every sage grouse harvested ought to be treasured, not solely as a sport fowl however as a relic of a novel panorama and time, a fragile and majestic piece of the American West. Respect the chance you must harvest them by leaping on the chance to take excellent care of your birds post-hunt with good meat care practices and tasteful images.
The chance to traverse the huge sagebrush landscapes of Wyoming and different sage grouse strongholds is a privilege that comes with important accountability. The way forward for sage grouse looking is unsure, however with a touch of luck and cautious administration and conservation efforts, it’s my hope that this custom might be handed down for generations to come back. The journey by way of sage grouse nation is a testomony to the fantastic thing about wild locations and the enduring connection between hunter and nature—a legacy of those iconic birds to be cherished, revered, and handed down with delight.
Learn Extra
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