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What Utah Hunters Should Know About the 2021 Upland Game Hunts
Submitted by: TBC Press
Posted on: 08/19/21
News # 14476
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are that of the authors and not necessarily that of TBC Press
If you didn't draw out for any of Utah's big game hunts but still want to hunt this fall, you may want to give upland game a try! The majority of the upland game hunts in Utah are open to anyone with a Utah hunting license. So whether it's a long-standing family tradition or you just want to harvest a new species like chukar or grouse, here are some tips that will help you have success hunting upland game this fall.
DOVE (mourning and white-winged)
Due to this year's extreme drought, many of the main food sources for doves decreased (seeds from native grasses and dry farm crop production), which has likely led to a decrease in dove populations across the West.
"During surveys, we located fewer doves across the state than in past years," Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Migratory Bird Coordinator Blair Stringham said. "Hunters should be prepared for a potentially difficult hunt this year."
Box Elder and Millard counties are the best areas in the state to hunt mourning doves. These birds can often be found near agricultural grain fields (especially those with wheat and safflower) because they provide food for doves. Doves also need lots of water throughout the day, so hunting over water sources (including springs in sagebrush rangelands) and near feeding and roosting sites can help hunters find more doves.
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If you want to hunt on private land, like on an agricultural field, you must obtain written permission from the landowner in advance.
White-winged doves are more rare in Utah, but can occasionally be found in the southwestern areas of the state. Hunters should also keep an eye out for white-winged doves in the same areas as mourning doves.
Doves tend to begin migrating south when nighttime temperatures drop into the 50s, so hunters should plan to target them earlier in the season to increase their chances of success.
Because mourning and white-winged doves are migratory birds protected by federal law, you need a Harvest Information Program number to hunt them. Getting a HIP number is easy and only takes a few minutes. You can register for a free HIP number on the DWR website.
The hunting season for mourning and white-winged doves begins Sept. 1 and runs until Oct. 30. For more tips on hunting doves, visit the DWR website at https://wildlife.utah.gov/upland-hunting-tips.html.
BAND-TAILED PIGEONS
While DWR biologists don't do formal surveys for pigeons in Utah, the population has been relatively stable in recent years.
Look for band-tailed pigeons in southern Utah in areas with Gambel oak, aspen and conifers. However, Gambel oak acorn production has been low in many parts of the state, which is typically what pigeons rely on for food in the fall.
"Most Utah hunters don't take the time to hunt band-tailed pigeons because they are a fairly secretive bird that is difficult to find," Stringham said. "Due to the drought impacts on their food supply, hunters can expect to have a difficult hunt this year. However, they can be a unique challenge for hunters who are willing to put the time in to find them."
Hunters should note that Eurasian collared-doves and band-tailed pigeons are often mistaken for one another. Eurasian collared-doves are primarily located in agricultural areas, while band-tailed pigeons are typically found in forested areas. Eurasian collared-doves are not protected in Utah and can be hunted year round without a license. Visit the Upland Game and Turkey 2021–22 Guidebook for more details about identifying each species.
Hunting band-tailed pigeons does require a permit, but the permit is free and available on the DWR website at https://wildlife.utah.gov/licenses/licenses-permits.html. You also need a HIP number to hunt band-tailed pigeons. You can register for a free HIP number on the DWR website.
The pigeon hunting season runs from Sept. 1–14.
GROUSE (dusky and ruffed)
There are several grouse species throughout Utah: dusky grouse, ruffed grouse, greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse. To hunt greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse, you need a special permit in addition to a hunting license, and the application period for that permit ended July 21. However, you can still hunt dusky and ruffed grouse (species of forest grouse) this fall with just a hunting or combination license.
The dusky grouse and ruffed grouse population numbers are either similar to or higher than last year's numbers in most areas of the state. However, the population numbers have decreased in southeastern Utah, likely due to drought conditions.
Hunters should be able to locate grouse in the following areas:
- Central Utah: The Oquirrh, Stansbury, Sheeprock, Deep Creek, Nebo and Manti mountain ranges
- Northern Utah: Dusky grouse in the Raft River Mountains and forest grouse in Cache, Morgan, Davis, southern Rich and Weber counties
- Southern Utah: In the Zion, Pine Valley and Southwest Desert areas
Dusky grouse, also known as the blue grouse, pine hen, pine grouse and fool hen, are about the size of a chicken and have drab brown and gray coloring. Their tail feathers are black except for the tips, which have a lighter gray color, and look like a wide band when the tail is fanned. Dusky grouse are found in higher elevations along the borders of aspen and conifer forests.
For more tips on distinguishing between dusky and ruffed grouse, visit this Utah State University Extension link.
The dusky and ruffed grouse season runs from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31. For more tips on hunting either species of grouse, visit the DWR website.
PARTRIDGE (chukar and gray)
Biologists estimate that chukar populations are similar to last year in northern Utah, but they have decreased in the central, southern and southeastern parts of the state, due to dry conditions.
Hunters should look for chukars in the following locations:
- Central Utah: The Tooele District offers some of the best chukar hunting in Utah, with several populations in a variety of mountain ranges and lots of public land. Rocky slopes west of I-15 contain the highest densities of birds.
- Northern Utah: Public lands in the western part of Box Elder County and private lands in the eastern part of the county may provide the best northern Utah chukar opportunities. Pen-reared birds are released each year before the hunt on the Brigham Face, East Canyon and Henefer-Echo wildlife management areas.
- Northeastern Utah: Pen-raised chukars will be released before the opening days of the youth and general-season hunts.
- Southern Utah: Try hunting the mountain ranges in Beaver and Millard counties, the foothills along the west side of the Monroe Mountains, areas west of Fillmore, the east sides of the Pahvant and Tushar mountains, foothills on both sides of the Sevier valley, along the Sevier River, and in the rocky slopes of Kingston Canyon.
- Southeastern Utah: Look for chukars in the cliff areas along the Price and Green rivers and near the face of the Book Cliffs.
- Northern Utah: Look for gray partridge in the western part of Box Elder County and on private land in eastern areas of the county, as well as in the Bear River Mountain Range in Cache County. Don't forget to get written permission from the landowner before entering private property.
Both partridge seasons will run from Sept. 25, 2021, to Feb. 15, 2022.
UPLAND GAME SLAM
Hunters complete a slam by harvesting the required amount of the target species. There are currently eight different slams that hunters can participate in. Each one is designed to give you an extra challenge while you're hunting, as well as the opportunity to earn a commemorative, collectible coin. The entry fee is $20 for hunters 18 years of age or older, or $10 for hunters 17 years of age or younger. Learn more about how to participate in the Upland Game Slam on the DWR website.
