August 30, 2019 10:00 a.m.
Western Oregon forest grouse and quail hunting seasons open on Sunday September 1st.
A release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the department is asking successful grouse and mountain quail hunters to donate a wing and tail of each bird for biological research.
Hunters should look for bright blue collection barrels at major road junctions, or highways in hunting areas. Barrels are also located at some ODFW offices and popular rural markets.
The release said the wings and tails provide information on hatch date, recruitment, age and sex ratios of the populations to help set next year’s hunting seasons. An entire wing and whole tail including small rump feathers should be removed. Paper bags are provided in the collection barrels for the parts. Hunters should mark the harvest date, county taken, and general location.
For specific barrel locations, call the local ODFW office at 440-3353.
Hunters should refer to the Game Bird Regulations for specific grouse and quail identification tips. It is illegal to shoot spruce grouse in Oregon, according to the ODFW release.