I've seen sagehen populations go from healthy and abundant to struggling small flocks, spaced many times farther apart. I would estimate they are down 90% from when I was a kid, hunting them in the late 1950's.
Fires, feral horses, mining, feral horses, 40 year drought cycle here, feral horses, cattle grazing, and feral horses have had an enormous impact on the populations here in NV.
BUT...a Major factor is West Nile Virus! West Nile is killing sagehen by the thousands, and the solution isn't in sight.
Next year might be the last sagehen hunt. It's coming, and soon.
