BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A state wildlife official says North Dakota hunters should expect to see fewer upland game birds this hunting season.

The season for sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse and Hungarian partridge opens Saturday. State Game and Fish biologist Aaron Robinson says excessive water has affected reproduction in some
areas, and there is less habitat with more grass acres being turned to crops.

The spring sharptail breeding population was down 30 percent from last year. Hungarian partridge numbers also are down, and the spring statewide ruffed grouse drumming counts dropped 15 percent over the year.

North Dakota's sage grouse and prairie chicken seasons remain closed this year because of low populations of those birds.