Boosting Nevada’s Upland Game Populations
Did you know NDOW works to improve habitat for upland game on an annual basis? In addition to improving habitat for upland game, NDOW translocates upland game birds to establish new populations and to bolster struggling populations throughout the Silver State.
Since 2021, NDOW translocated:
- 2,588 California quail
- 149 Merriam’s turkey
- 104 Rio Grande turkey
- 20 Columbian sharp-tailed grouse
- 27 Hungarian partridge
Most of the California quail have been moved from Northwestern Nevada to the Northeastern side of the state, while efforts continue to move Hungarian partridge from Northeastern Nevada to the Northwest. Such efforts are capitalizing on changes in habitats and climatic conditions conducive to quail and partridge establishing new populations.
Nevada populations of Hungarian or Gray partridge have increased over the last couple of decades and there has been some changes in their distribution across the state. With the habitat changes that have occurred during this period, the Department feels that suitable habitats exist outside of the current distribution of the species. Translocations of this species are meant to take advantage of these opportunities and provide additional prospects for upland game enthusiasts.
Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have been established in northern Elko County for the last decade and efforts are being made to bolster the range of this once prolific species.
Turkeys are doing well in limited numbers and NDOW continues to establish turkeys where quality habitat exists and where conflict with private landowners can be minimized.
