FORTY-FIFTH BIENNIAL REPORT 



31 



Chukar partridge. 



-Fish and Game Photo 



CHUKAR PARTRIDGES 



California's first open season on chukars occurred 

 in 1954 with a four-day season. The average yearly 

 reported bag through 1957 was 4,300 birds. Consider- 

 ing the numbers of birds available in the field, the 

 hunters are hardly touching the resource. Because of 

 this, the open season has been lengthened so that in 

 1957 the season extended from November 16 to De- 

 cember 31, 1957. 



It has been known for some time that the species 

 had established itself in goodly numbers in most suit- 

 able habitat throughout the state. After four succes- 

 sive hunting seasons, it is obvious that chukars can 

 readily withstand hunting pressure. It can now be 

 concluded that the introduction of this bird into Cali- 

 fornia fauna was a success. 



The department is continuing to try to e.xpand the 

 present range of the species. There are still some areas 

 which appear suitable that have not had sufficient 

 plants of birds. Planting of these areas is progressing 

 with wild-trapped chukars. One of the latest success- 

 ful plants was made at Panoche. This area was planted 

 with wild birds trapped from the Naval Ordnance 

 Test Station at China Lake. 



GROUSE 



Sage grouse seasons (September 1-2) were held 

 in Modoc and Lassen Counties during the biennium. 

 The average bag has been 2,700 for the past four years 

 according to returns from mail questionnaires. Sage 

 grouse occur in other eastside counties but popula- 

 tions have been too low to allow an open season. Pro- 

 duction in the spring of 1958 indicated increased pop- 

 ulations of these birds in the northeast counties. 



During the fall of 1957 an open season on Sierra 

 and ruffed grouse was held for the first time in many 

 years. Field reports indicated few hunters were out 

 for the birds and a small kill resulted (see Table 47). 



EXOTICS 



The department has recognized the increasing in- 

 terest and demands for the introduction of foreign 

 game species into the state. Because of this, it is look- 

 ing into the problem of game-deficient habitats and 

 is endeavoring to determine what species offer the 

 most promise of success in introduction. 



There are a variety of habitats that are little used 

 by game birds at present. Among these are the drier 

 desert areas, the open sagebrush plains, the middle and 

 high altitude timbered mountain regions and the low 

 foothill areas surrounding the great valley. 



Preliminary studies indicate that some of the birds 

 of the genus Alectoris, related to the Indian chukar 

 may offer possibilities. Among these are the Barbary 

 partridge, the Spanish red-legged partridge and Greek 

 and Turkish chukars. 



In early February of 1958, an initial plant of 152 

 Barbary partridges was made in the foothills of the 

 southern Sierra near Lindsay. These were purchased 

 from a private breeder. 



Preliminary negotiations are under way for secur- 

 ing a stock of Spanish red-legged partridges and Turk- 

 ish and Greek chukars. It is hoped these will fill in 

 areas where the Indian chukars have failed to establish 

 themselves. 



The past two years have seen a number of plants of 

 Coturnix quail and Erkels francolins by private sports- 

 men and breeders. It is estimated that more than 9,000 

 Coturnix quail have been released in the Sacramento 

 Valley the past two years. The result of these plants 

 is yet to be determined. 



Permits Now Necessary 



Private breeders now are required to secure permis- 

 sion from the commission before plants of exotics are 

 made. This will enable the department to keep track 

 of all introductions, and data as to the success or fail- 

 ures can be obtained. In this way, plantings of birds 

 that may be hazardous to California agriculture and 

 native wildlife may be prevented. 



A word of caution should be inserted regarding 

 introduction of exotics. Enthusiasm for such a pro- 

 gram often' runs high. The odds are against successes 

 such as were obtained in the introduction of the ring- 

 necked pheasant and the Indian chukar. 



WATERFOWL 



Year after year, ducks produce the greatest total bag 

 of any species of game hunted and the past biennium 

 was no exception. Waterfowl hunters continue to en- 

 joy excellent sport. 



Mail surveys revealed (Table 47) that the 4,025,000 

 ducks taken during the 1957 season was the best bag 

 reported during the last four years. The 1956 season 

 produced a bag close to the average for the last four 

 years. 



