Game and Fish: North Dakota Grouse Number Same as Last Year

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Roadside counts conducted by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department indicate that the state's sharp-tailed grouse population is similar to last year and the Hungarian partridge population is up.

Data tallied from July and August counts show sharp-tailed grouse numbers are down 4 percent from last year, with the number of broods up 6 percent. The average brood size is down 15 percent.

The statewide Hungarian partridge population is up 22 percent from last year, and the number of broods is up 34 percent. The average brood size is down 14 percent.

State upland game biologist Aaron Robinson says sharp-tailed grouse hunters should have plenty of opportunities to harvest birds. Partridge are trying to rebound from the past few years of record low numbers.

The season opens Sept. 12.