Sharp tail

[Flight01]

Does anyone know why sharp tail season closes earlier than spruce and rough grouse?
Not that it matters... it’s the season. But just wondering. See some big ol birds but they are safe from me till next fall

[goldscud]

Lower population numbers need to be protected.
Birds tend to group up and become pretty vulnerable in November

[Flight01]

YEah. Definitely see more flocks or coveys but if it’s that low shouldn’t it be closed ?

[Bub]

It is closed in every single zone around our parts. Have to travel quite a bit for a hunt. Luckily, I don’t like the taste :)

[shedcrazy]

Sharps use to get hammered in Nov during the deer season as they group and sit in trees (easy limits with a .22). I would assume there is very limited targeted pressure in most areas in Oct so the harvest is sustainable then.

[Ossie]

To my knowledge shedcrazy is right. Years ago someone figured out that few people actually had focused hunts for sharptails, but also that too many were shot by deer hunters as a secondary to deer hunting. Since they closed the sharptail season once deer season starts, the sharptail have rebounded incredibly. Even in a down year, the numbers are there for the sharpies to rebound.

[marlin1]

definitely see them flock up in November up to a hundred strong . Had a good shoot for them in Oct. this year .

[Battle Rat]

The numbers are getting higher but no where what they were in the early 80s.

[robson3954]

As mentioned above. Seems nov 1 they’re everywhere holding tight lol

[Pioneer2]

You have to wonder why ruffs are open so long?

[oilngas]

I would guess that habitat loss has limited the population for say the last 50 years, and therefore the shorter season to reduce the overall harvest.

[calgarychef]

You have to wonder why ruffs are open so long?

I think hunting doesn't actually affect ruffle populations

[FCLightning]

If I recollect properly it was the Drumheller F&G club that sent in the resolution to have the season shut down at the start of Big Game season - their reasoning was that the populations suffered greatly from deer hunters using them as target practice. I think it was proposed 3 years in a row before it was passed at Annual Conference and then put to the Gov't as a recommendation from AFGA - and we have had it ever since.

[FCLightning]

I think hunting doesn't actually affect ruffle populations

Back in the 80's and 90's when I was involved with the system, general consensus from the Fish and Wildlife is that hunter effort is self limiting in response to the normal population cycles of Ruffed Grouse and management intervention is not really required.

[covey ridge]

Does anyone know why sharp tail season closes earlier than spruce and rough grouse?
Not that it matters... it’s the season. But just wondering. See some big ol birds but they are safe from me till next fall

I think that sharp tails are in a very fragile situation because their habitat is shrinking. Where you find them their numbers are good but they are very sensitive to over hunting. I have read that if too many birds are removed from a flock or area the remaining birds that rely of numbers to survive the winter are at a disadvantage.

Where I hunt them the numbers are good and I could limit every time out but I usually only take 2 or 3 and I only do that a couple time during the season.

A couple of land owners that give me access, tell me that when a group of 4 hunters report that they all got their limit, those guys will never get permission again.

When I tell a landowner that we saw lots of birds and had a good time but only took two each, I get told "glad you had a good time and come back anytime."

I think that a month is time enough to hunt this great bird.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Interesting observation on Sharp Tails on trapline. Finding good numbers in cutblocks, seems their actually is one positive for one species of game after trees are gone, besides mice.

[Versatile]

YEah. Definitely see more flocks or coveys but if it’s that low shouldn’t it be closed ?


Growing up pheasant season was 4 weeks long as well. Now look at it.

[JoshT]

Interesting observation on Sharp Tails on trapline. Finding good numbers in cutblocks, seems their actually is one positive for one species of game after trees are gone, besides mice.

Agreed, we've spotted them in the cutblocks as well.