| US Fish and Wildlife had received a petition to list sharp-tailed grouse as
endangered. The Idaho Fish and Game Department knew that sharp-tails had
increased since 1985 when CRP land began to be placed in plantings beneficial to
the birds, but IDFG had no data to support that theory. USFW decided the listing was justified, but postponed its implementation due
to other higher priority species.
IDFG needed help fast to get data on the birds’ populations. They didn’t
have the money to support such research. The Idaho Chapter of Safari Club
donated $6,000 and three local Chapters of Pheasants Forever donated $5,200.
Bob Hudman of OK Trailer Sales (a long-time supporter of wildlife
conservation and a member of the Idaho Chapter of Safari Club
International) loaned IDFG two trailers to house the researchers in the field at
a value of $8,000.
The study in 2002 was completed. Where only 13 leks, or breeding grounds,
were known before the study, 56 new leks were found in the 2002 study. These
leks will provide evidence of a much healthier sharp-tail population than
documented earlier. These leks also provide study sites for population
monitoring in later years. These data will help IDFG convince USFW that a
listing is not justified and have helped hunters and all wildlife lovers
understand that CRP has resulted in healthier sharp-tails populations.
2003 Lek study.
An additional $7,500
was donated in 2003 to support the study of the remaining sharp-tail habitat in Region 6.
The
Idaho Chapter of Safari Club International puts money on the ground in our
region for the benefit of hunters and wildlife.
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