From the first roadside surveys in the summer of 1940, the Game and Fish Department gradually expanded its methods of censusing upland game. Over time, spring counts became valuable for providing a breeding population index for various species, and for assessing winter mortality. In the fall, examination of upland game bird wings and/or feet collected by hunters is another indicator of success of the year's reproduction.
"There's very little that we do in upland game that isn't supported by federal aid," says Jerry Kobriger, Dickinson, upland game management supervisor for the Game and Fish Department. "In fact, probably 90 percent of the things we know on all game populations is because of Pittman-Robertson."
Annual surveys that track population trends produce information biologists can use in setting season frameworks. One thing learned over many years is that given average weather and habitat conditions, hunting has little measurable effect on upland game populations, Kobriger said.
On the other hand, when conditions fall well below average, or bird populations are exceptionally high, the Department can make adjustments. In years like 1997, when winter weather may have significantly reduced the state's pheasant population, having historical population data is necessary to adequately assess prospects for the coming fall.
While in many years upland game survey information is not critical to season management, results of those surveys are important to hunters. "We start getting calls in June," Kobriger noted. "Hunters ask 'What's the season going to be like?' and 'Where's the hunting going to be good?
"People are interested in that sort of thing," Kobriger added. Often, prospects derived from Game and Fish surveys help hunters plan fall vacation time, or where they go to hunt.
In addition to varied annual surveys, federal aid has also helped fund numerous research projects. One study determined how much cover sharp-tailed grouse actually need for reproduction, nesting and brood-rearing habitat. That information in hand, Game and Fish can make sure land it manages provides that necessary cover, and can also make recommendations for habitat management on other public or private land.
An early research project focused on pheasant movement and factors that affect winter survival. Results of that study, Kobriger said, supported a need for multi-row tree plantings on the prairie. Game and Fish, along with other state and federal agencies, worked with landowners to provide this woody habitat. In addition to offering protection for birds, trees on the prairie may also have helped hasten the expansion of whitetailed deer across the state.
Research under Pittman-Robertson also helped Game and Fish understand what happens to pen-raised pheasants when they are released into the wild. While a few of these birds wind up in hunter's bags, most die or are killed within a week or two of release.
A study of ruffed grouse habitat in the Turtle Mountains indicated an aging aspen forest that could benefit from an aggressive timber management program. For the past several years, especially on the Wakopa Wildlife Management Area, Game and Fish has cleared several parcels of aging aspen. This tactic encourages new aspen growth and produces a more diverse aspen forest that is beneficial to ruffed grouse.
Another important body of work is the annual inspection of upland game bird wings provided by hunters. The wing survey provides annual ratios of young-of-the-year to adult birds in the harvest. Additionally, after examining tens of thousands of bird wings over the years, biologists have scientifically documented hatching chronology for various upland game birds in North Dakota. This intormation is critical to establishing dates for hay cutting on Game and Fish managed lands, or when the Department is asked to provide input for other land management issues.