The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has approved a sage grouse hunting season for this fall, giving hunters in the state the chance to chase these upland birds for the first time since 2012.
After a concerted effort from 11 western states, non-government organizations and federal agencies prevented the sage grouse from being places on the U.S. threatened or endangered species list, as was being considered only a year ago.
A number of external factors such as habitat loss, cold winters and drought conditions have contributed to the massive decline in the sage grouse population. In recent years, however, these conditions have improved, helping the bird get back in its feet.
Spring counts in South Dakota uncovered 278 male sage grouse and biologists expect there to be between 600 and 700 sage grouse across the state by the time the fall season rolls in. A total of 40 permits are set to be available to successful applicants, but state biologists are not expecting all of those licenses to be exercised. State biologist Travis Runia stated that he does not expect more than 25 birds to be harvested during the two-day season, a number he believes will not affect the overall population.
“Even if we harvested 25 birds, which is on the high end of what we expect, it wouldn’t have a negative impact on the population,” Runia said.
The commission is asking for help from successful hunters this fall, as they would like to examine each specimen to look for traces of the West Nile virus. The virus is believed to be a leading cause of the decline of the sage grouse population over the years.
