Hunters can help ODFW study grouse and quail by submitting wings and tails

SALEM, Ore. – Successful Oregon forest grouse and mountain quail hunters are asked to donate a wing and tail from harvested birds to support biological research.

Hunters can deposit wings and tails in collection barrels located at major road junctions or highways in hunting areas, select ODFW offices, and popular rural markets.

Barrels include paper bags for submitting samples. Place one entire wing and the whole tail (with small rump feathers still attached) in a paper bag and label it with the harvest date, county, and general location. Use one paper bag per wing and tail.

Each year, biologists hold a "wing bee" to examine each sample and identify species, estimate hatch date for young birds, and determine age, sex, and whether females likely nested successfully. This information provides a ratio of young to adults to track annual production, average hatch date for each region, and the proportion of each age and sex in the harvest. These metrics help track the overall health of Oregon's forest grouse and mountain quail populations and inform decisions regarding hunting dates, season length, and bag limits.

Hunters can view an online map of collection barrel locations or contact the ODFW office closest to their hunting area.

Refer to the Game Bird Regulations for tips on identifying grouse and quail. As a reminder, spruce grouse occur in the northeast corner of the state and are illegal to harvest.

Seasons run through Jan. 31, 2027.

Video available: ODFW distributes grouse wing barrels around the state to collect population data.