Fir needles and buds are the species’ primary foods, especially in winter (Zwickel and Bendell 2005). Until recently, this and the Sooty Grouse were considered to make up one species under the name Blue Grouse. California spotted owl research studies the benefits of prescribed fire occurring in the owls' habitat. ... And, the more time you spend observing, the greater chance you have of seeing more rare birds, like the pine grosbeak, sooty grouse, or black-backed woodpecker. In the southern Sierra Nevada, north of Kern Gap (South Fork of Sooty Grouse: Found from southeastern Alaska south to northern California in a narrow range between the coast and the western Rocky Mountains. A large, dark forest grouse of inland regions of the western U.S. and Canada. Fauna of California, a comprehensive guide with beautiful photographs of California's wild animals. California Sooty (Blue) and Ruffed Grouse - Unit Overview. Sooty Grouse had become “very scarce” on Mount Pinos by the early 1940s. Adults have a long tale that is gray at the end. It is closely related to the dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus), and the two were previously considered a single species, the blue grouse. Sooty (Blue) and Ruffed Grouse Hunt Zone [ds1341] Mapped hunt boundary is an approximation of regulations using best available data as of September 2015. California Sooty Grouse. The sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus) is a species of forest-dwelling grouse native to North America's Pacific Coast Ranges. In California, the Sooty Grouse is closely associated with forests where firs (PseudotsugaAbies, ) are an important component of the canopy (Grinnell and Miller 1944). recent rAnge And ABundAnce in cAliforniA The Mount Pinos Sooty Grouse appears to be extirpated or nearly extirpated from the habitat “islands” that make up the southern portion of its range (Bland 2004; see map). Joined Feb 14, 2015 Messages 72. It … The grouse in my area don’t let you get close. Thread starter sierrahunter; Start date Aug 25, 2020; Aug 25, 2020 #1 sierrahunter Member. Prefers semi-open woodlands and mature stands of hemlock, cedar, spruce, and white fir in winter. Slow-moving and inconspicuous, but often surprisingly tame. Also Goes By: Mountain Grouse, Sooty Grouse, Dusky, Pine Grouse. Males will be dark in color (the Sooty Grouse will be especially so). This large grouse is split into two separate species; the Sooty Grouse of the Sierra Nevada and Pacific Coast Ranges and the Dusky Grouse of the Rocky Mountains. Most likely to be noticed (at least by sound) in spring, when males "sing" incessantly to attract mates, a series of deep hoots. One exception is an inland range in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. Hunters are responsible for knowing the exact current boundary locations as described within the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 300(a)(1)(E)3:3. Unit Sooty (Blue) and Ruffed Grouse for Ruffed Grouse and Sooty Grouse covers approximately 44,330,514 acres, and the dominant land cover is evergreen forest. The archery season here in California is in full swing, and after many years, I finally nailed one with my bow (plenty in the past with shotgun). Sooty Grouse populations in California's northern Coast Ranges are a southern peninsular extension of the species’ continental range and this species appears to be vulnerable to extirpation in peninsular habitats, perhaps because habitat conditions become increasingly marginal toward the tip …