Upland game bird hunters asked to return wings, tails for research, Aug. 30

ROSEBURG, Ore – Western Oregon forest grouse and quail hunting seasons open Sunday, September 1. ODFW asks successful grouse and mountain quail hunters to donate a wing and tail of each bird for biological research. The seasons runs through January 31, 2020. Hunters should look for bright blue collection barrels placed at major road junctions or highways in hunting areas. Barrels also are located at some ODFW offices and popular rural markets. 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, and hunters should mark harvest date, county taken, and general location. For specific barrel locations, please contact the ODFW office closest to your hunt: Douglas County: 541-440-3353; Coos County: 541-888-5515; Curry County: 541-247-2112; Jackson and Josephine counties: 541-826-8774. Refer to the Game Bird Regulations for specific grouse and quail identification tips. It is illegal to shoot spruce grouse in Oregon.