Upland game bird

Upland game bird is an American term which refers to non-waterfowl game birds in groundcover-rich terrestrial ecosystems above wetlands and riparian zones (i.e. "uplands"), which are commonly hunted with gun dogs (pointing breeds, flushing spaniels and retrievers).

United States

As of 2013 the population of upland game birds such as pheasants had been falling in agricultural states such as Iowa where increased commodity prices for crops such as corn had resulted in reductions in game habitat in acreage set aside in the Conservation Reserve Program. A significant reduction in the number of hunters over the previous 20 years was also reported.

State laws At least ten states have passed laws wherein there is a definition of "upland game" giving a list of species. These lists are not at all the same, and some of them contain non-avian species. These species may be listed by common name instead of by scientific name, which can make it difficult to determine from the laws alone what species they intend to protect. The following species appear on one or more state lists of "upland game."

List of game birds American Crow Band-Tailed Pigeon Blue Grouse Chukar Partridge Dove Dusky Grouse Eurasian Collared-Dove Gray Partridge Greater Sage-Grouse Grouse Hungarian Partridge Mourning Dove Partridge Pheasant Pigeon Ptarmigan Quail Ruffed Grouse Sage Grouse Sandhill Crane Sharp-tailed grouse Turkey White-tailed ptarmigan Wild Turkey Woodcock

List of non-avian upland game Cottontail rabbit Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Fox Hare Opossum Prairie Dog Rabbit Rock Chuck Snowshoe Hare Tree Squirrel

References

Bibliography

Leigh, W. H. (1940). Preliminary studies on parasites of upland game birds and fur-bearing mammals in Illinois . Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin; v. 021, no. 05.

Shillinger, J. E., & Morley, L. C. (1937). Diseases of upland game birds (No. 1776-1800). US Dept. of Agriculture.

Tacha, T. C., & Braun, C. E. (1994). Migratory shore and upland game bird management in North America. The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.