Gray partridge showing up in good numbers

Title: Partridge Population Booms in Eastern Idaho

In the heart of eastern Idaho, a familiar sight is becoming increasingly common: clusters of Gray partridges, their numbers swelling as the season turns. The snow may be falling, but these hearty birds are thriving, huddling together for warmth and foraging on the seeds nature provides.

A recent expedition to Ririe Reservoir revealed nine Gray partridges, huddled close against the cold wind. Their strategy was clear: use each other’s body heat to combat the wintry weather. Further down the road, another covey of 23 partridges was discovered, pecking at the exposed kernels of young fall wheat in a nearby swale. They took flight at my approach, seeking refuge in a nearby patch of sagebrush.

Two days later, near Ashton, I found another covey of seven partridges abundant around the banks of Fall River. Even in the deep snow, they managed to feast on dried chokecherries. Accompanying them were two young bull moose, one still adorned with its antlers, the other having shed his.

The Egin/Hamer Road has been another hotspot for these gamebirds. During a recent trip, I encountered a large group feeding on weed seeds among the sand dunes. Their tracks suggested they had been there for days, harvesting the grass seeds before moving on to other food sources.

While researching these birds, I was reminded of their former name, the Hungarian partridge, or simply ‘huns’. They were initially introduced from Hungary in the late 18th century and have since adapted to life in the northern United States.

Despite their resilience, Gray partridges face numerous predators, including coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons, hawks, eagles, owls, and humans. Their ground-dwelling lifestyle makes them particularly vulnerable. Yet, with a long hunting season (September to January) and a liberal daily bag limit of eight in Idaho, their populations remain robust.

Each hen can lay up to 22 eggs, and families often form coveys, joining together for winter before breaking off into pairs come spring. This year, with relatively mild snowfall, the partridges seem to be having a banner season.

Not all the Wild West news has been about the partridges, though. Many Idahoans have been kept awake by the ‘hoot’ of Great-horned owls. While their nighttime serenades may be disruptive, they’re a small price to pay for living in such a diverse and vibrant ecosystem.

As the temperatures drop and the snow continues to fall, these hardy Gray partridges will continue to captivate Idaho’s observers, a testament to the state’s resilience and abundance.