Hunting diaries will give a more complete picture of bird populations
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting upland bird hunters to voluntarily log details about their hunts for grouse, woodcock, pheasants, prairie chickens and partridge.
“We’re working with bird hunters to improve our understanding of what they see in the field,” said Nate Huck, migratory gamebird consultant. “Their information will complement our existing monitoring efforts. We deeply appreciate hunters who take the time to share their observations.”
Once the hunting seasons begin, bird hunters can use an upland bird hunting diary to share their observations. The diary is available in electronic form using web browser or app versions on the DNR website. Hunters can also print off a paper version of the diary and enter their hunts online at a later point.
Participating hunters will be asked to report information specific to each hunt including: date, species pursued, if the hunter was using a dog, total hours hunted, number of birds flushed, number of birds harvested, and ages of any pheasants harvested.
Hunters are also asked to report the location of their hunt including: the county and if the hunt was on a wildlife management area, a hunter walking trail or a Walk-In Access program area.
This citizen science effort complements the DNR’s once-a-year small game harvest survey to monitor upland game bird harvest. The harvest survey is available on the DNR website. While annual survey information is useful to estimate the total hunter effort and harvest of upland game birds, it does not provide specific, localized or season-long insights.
More information for hunters and instructions on how to participate in the upland bird hunting diary are available on the DNR website.