CA Sooty Grouse Hunting Guide

Also known as: Blue grouse, Sooty grouse, Dusky grouse (formerly Blue grouse complex)

The sooty grouse is a species of forest-dwelling grouse native to North America's Pacific Coast Ranges. It is closely related to the dusky grouse, and the two were previously considered a single species, the blue grouse.

Habitat & Range

Their breeding habitat is the edges ofconiferand mixed forests in mountainous regions of westernNorth America, from southeasternAlaskaandYukonsouth toCalifornia.[3]Their range is closely associated with that of various conifers. They thrive in old forests because they need diverse plants and trees. Regenerated logged or burned areas also attract the sooty grouse as long as there are plenty of bushes and shrubs to nest in. The nest is a scrape on the ground concealed under a shrub or log. Grouse mountain, a mountain that acts as the peak ofVancouver, Canadagets its name from the infamous blue grouse that lives on the mountain. The first hikers that reached the top of the mountain hunted the birds so they honored them by naming the mountain after them. This name is also attributed to the large population of the sooty grouse found on the mountain.

Life History

Thesooty grouse(Dendragapus fuliginosus) is a species offorest-dwellinggrousenative to North America'sPacific Coast Ranges.[2][3]It is closely related to thedusky grouse(Dendragapus obscurus), and the two were previously considered a single species, theblue grouse.[2][3][4] Adults have a long square tail, light gray at the end. Adult males are mainly dark with a yellow throat air sac surrounded by white, and a yellow wattle over the eye duringdisplay. Adult females are mottled brown with dark brown and white marks on the underparts.[3]Females have longer skinnier necks than males. The males have stouter bodies than the females. These birds forage on the ground, or in trees in winter. In winter, they mainly eatfiranddouglas-firneedles, occasionally alsohemlockandpineneedles; in summer, other green plants (Pteridium,Salix),berries(Gaultheria,Mahonia,Rubus,Vaccinium), andinsects(particularlyants,beetles,grasshoppers) are more important. In winter, they are capable of surviving on fir needles alone. In Spring, they enjoy a diet that consists more of berries, leaves, and flowers. Chicks are almost entirely dependent on insect food for their first ten days.[2]Like many birds, the sooty grouse eat grit and tiny stones. This helps them grind up food in the gizzard.

Status, Trends & Threats

Sooty grouse are experiencing some population decline from habitat loss at the southern end of their range in southern California.[2]The status of the Sooty Grouse is now classified as at risk. Currently, the species is of low conservation concern, but if a decline in old-growth forests persists the risk of endangerment will increase.

Hunting Season

General: Sep 12 - Oct 12. Archery Only: Aug 15 - Sep 4. Falconry: Aug 15 - Feb 28.

References

• California — Sooty Grouse