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Age Determination program. collection wing the in participating by biologists game small ADF&G help can You

feather coloration (grouse only) and (2) plumage characteristics of the head (ptarmigan only). only). (ptarmigan head the of characteristics plumage (2) and only) (grouse coloration feather o age grouse and ptarmigan, it is helpful to first understand a bit about their life histories. Both grouse and tail (1) including sex, determine to techniques two illustrates also guide This only). grouse (spruce shaft feather of

Tptarmigan molt their primary and secondary wing feathers once a year. In midsummer, the primary feathers (P) width (3) and only), (ptarmigan primaries outer the of pigmentation (2) feathers, primary of patterns growth (1)

start to molt beginning with P1 and progressing sequentially outward toward P8, 9, and finally 10. including age, determine to techniques three illustrates guide this Specifically, characteristics. plumage and traits This guide will show you how to determine age and sex of your harvested grouse or ptarmigan by using feather feather using by ptarmigan or grouse harvested your of sex and age determine to how you show will guide This

From the start of Alaska’s hunting season for grouse and ptarmigan in mid-August through the end of

September when primary feathers have completely effort. this to contribute grown in, it’s relatively easy for hunters to examine 10 can you ways for page back the See composition. harvest and productivity population estimate biologists help to

the outer primary feathers, particularly P8 and P9, order in heads and tails wings, contribute voluntarily to hunters ptarmigan and grouse for way straightforward a maintain and create to been has objectives program’s the of One generations. future for resources game small

to distinguish juveniles from adults. 9 The Division of Wildlife Conservation created the Small Game Program to promote the conservation of Alaska’s Alaska’s of conservation the promote to Program Game Small the created Conservation Wildlife of Division The

With bird in hand, examine the growth pattern of the primary feathers to distinguish a recommendations. harvest and decisions management inform help

juvenile from an adult. The key difference 8 which trends population illustrate to compiled be can information this time, Over harvest. the of composition the

is that juvenile grouse and ptarmigan only interpret as well as population the of production overall the estimate to biologists allows populations ptarmigan 7 and grouse harvested of proportions sex and age the Knowing ptarmigan. or grouse Alaska harvested your of sex

molt P1 through P8 while adults replace all 10 something fun and interesting to teach a new or young hunter? This guide will help you determine the age and and age the determine you help will guide This hunter? young or new a teach to interesting and fun something

primary feathers. H 6 Want four? of age old ripe the to matured or (juvenile) summer that hatched bird the whether wondering

5 4 you’re Perhaps ptarmigan? or grouse female or male a harvested you’ve whether curious been ever you ave

Observe the wing sample photographed here. This 3 2 1

adult bird’s P9 and P10 feathers are continuing to grow in after a molt. field the in you with guide this Take

ADF&G administers all programs and activities in compliance with state and federal civil rights and equal opportunity laws. Obtain the full ADF&G and Americans with Disabilities Act and Office of Equal Opportunity statement online at www.adfg.alaska.gov or from the Division of Wildlife Conservation at 907-465-4190. Grouse and Ptarmigan Hunters: Sex Determination The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is asking A Guide to Aging & Sexing for your help in the collection of wings, tails and heads or most Alaska game birds, the most accurate way to identify sex is to look for the ovary or testes inside the bird. from hunter-harvested grouse and ptarmigan. These Grouse and Ptarmigan samples allow biologists to better understand sex and FThis is particularly true for all three species of ptarmigan. A hands-on dissection with an experienced bird hunter age structure of the harvest which is important for or biologist is the best way to gain this experience. During the early portion of the hunting season (August and managing these valuable resources. September), plumage characteristics of a ptarmigan’s head can be used to determine sex. However, as ptarmigan If you are interested in helping, please: molt into their famous white winter plumage by mid-October, those defining characteristics disappear (with the exception of male rock ptarmigan). 1. Remove from each bird: a. One clean and intact wing (grouse and ptarmigan) With grouse, a hunter can examine the tail feathers to determine sex with a high degree of accuracy. b. Tail (ONLY grouse), head (ONLY ptarmigan) Distinctive coloration patterns exist for each species (spruce, ruffed, sharp-tailed, 2. Place the wing and tail/head in a wing bag (available and sooty) and for males and females within a species. at your local ADF&G office) or other paper bag. Postage-paid return envelopes available at ADF&G The tail feathers shown here illustrate the obvious sexual offices. dimorphism of the spruce grouse. The male on 3. Record approximate location and date of harvest on the left has black tail feathers, compared to the bag. Also include contact information if you would his female counterpart’s mottled, tan- like the results of your samples returned. Results will be returned to you quickly along with a final report colored tail feathers. Take a look at the summarizing the status of small game. next page for photographs and descriptions of other species. 4. Wings can be taken to your nearest ADF&G office at your convenience OR mailed directly to:

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Spruce Grouse Attn: Small Game Program 1800 Glenn Hwy, Suite 2 Palmer, AK 99645 Male Female (OR) 1300 College Road Fairbanks, AK 99701 Grouse & Ptarmigan AllAll Grouse Grouse AllAll Ptarmigan Ptarmigan SpruceSpruce Grouse Grouse Examine Primaries Feather shape Pigmentation Measure Feather Shaft

In ptarmigan, the amount of Another way to determine age in pigment varies on the primaries. spruce grouse is to pluck the first First-year birds have more black primary (P1) feather. Measure the pigmentation on P9 than P8. width of the base of the feather shaft, known as the calamus. In juveniles, the calamus measures less than 2.4 mm across.

Juvenile P8 Juvenile < 2.4 mm

If P8 is not fully grown, it is In first-year birds, P9 and P10 are classified as a juvenile. more frayed or pointed.

P10 Adult ptarmigan have an equal The calamus amount or less black pigmentation of an adult 9 on P9, as compared to P8. spruce P grouse measures 2.4mm or Adult ≥ 2.4 mm greater. Adult

If P9 or P10 is not fully grown, it is classified as an adult. This applies to both grouse and Adult birds have smoother, ptarmigan as illustrated in the more rounded primaries. 1 photographs to the right. P

Sooty Grouse Sharp-tailed Grouse Ruffed Grouse Ptarmigan

Tail feathers of male sooty Pluck the central 2-3 tail The male ruffed grouse usually has an Male Rock grouse are black with a gray tip. feathers of the male unbroken, dark brown or black band Ptarmigan: Black Often, feathers are sqaured-off sharp-tailed grouse. at the trailing edge of its tail. Tail eye stripe (year at the tip. The feather pattern feathers measure about 6 inches. round). Head has long vertical plumage is mottled white bars. black and brown. Male Willow Ptarmigan: Head plumage is chocolate

Male colored.

Female sooty grouse have black Pluck the central 2-3 tail In female ruffed grouse, the tail feathers with mottled rump feathers. The feathers dark brown or black band can be feathers. of the female sharp- washed out in the center of the Female Rock tailed grouse tail. Tail feathers measure less Ptarmigan: No appear mottled than 6 inches long. Female Willow eye stripe (year with horizontal Ptarmigan: round). Head barring. Head plumage plumage is is mottled mottled light tan light tan and and black (Fall). black. Female