Big game archery season headlines the beginning of September but bird hunters also have reason to celebrate with the upland opener on the first of the month. That’s even more true with the release of a Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks forecast announcing higher numbers of grouse and pheasant in 2017.

The Spokesman Review reported on Friday the FWP observed growing or stable numbers of mountain, sage and sharptail grouse in hunting regions across Montana. Pheasant populations are also doing well and in the Clarks Fork Valley numbers are the highest observed in recent years.

Not all the news is good however. Drought and reduction in conservation reserve program land could negatively effect hunting experiences, particularly in the northern part of the state in regions 4 and 6.

Check out the report for more details and as always read the regulations before hitting the field.