Hunting the Great Plains for Prairie Grouse

Prairie grouse, including greater prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse, can be found in grasslands across the Great Plains and offer hunters a unique early-season challenge. Early fall provides hunters with long days, beautiful sunsets and incredible access to public hunting lands before they become congested in November. Fall prairie grouse hunts are a must-try endeavor for bird dog and wing-shooting enthusiasts looking to get a jump on their hunting season. While the enormity of the Great Plains can seem overwhelming, with the right strategies and a willingness to walk up prairie grouse, hunters can certainly have success.

FIND THE BIRDS

Greater prairie chickens occur in parts of 12 states, but by far the greatest populations exist in Kansas and Nebraska. Sharp-tailed grouse, meanwhile, have a range that extends from Nebraska to prairie Canada, with strongholds in the western portions of Nebraska and the Dakotas and the eastern short grass prairies of Wyoming and Montana. Sharpies, as they are often called, also occupy some prairie portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Both prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse live in loosely organized flocks. Birds will populate a portion of prairie with the habitat they need to survive, including mixed prairie grass, thick nesting cover and areas generally devoid of trees and structures. Usually, woody hedgerows, windbreaks, buildings and woody thickets do not make good prairie grouse habitats. Native grasses that have not been hayed or overgrazed are characteristic of prairie grouse habitat.

Like many game species, prairie grouse can often be found in transition areas. The challenge with identifying these areas on the prairie is that they’re often subtle. A change in elevation, variations in grass heights, rocky outcroppings and weed lines are all examples of transitions that prairie grouse relate to on the landscape. Other more obvious examples are crop field edges and woody vegetation, which are much easier to identify.

In general, prairie grouse tend to prefer large expanses of grasslands with intermingled croplands. The grouse diet in late summer and early autumn is typically made up of a mixture of insect proteins, wild grasses and forb seeds, along with cereal grains from agricultural operations. When selecting a property to search for prairie grouse, choose those areas with elevation rises and hilltops. Broken hilltops with rocky outcroppings and some broadleaf weeds surrounded by acres of grasslands are often ideal.

If you have time to scout a new area for prairie grouse before the hunt, scan prairie grass hilltops and saddles with binoculars. Search mixed prairie-land crop fields from afar at first light or just before sunset. Catching flocks in flight with a binocular can be a productive way to find birds flying to or from feed fields and get a general idea of their loafing and roosting areas.

Buying a cup of coffee or a stack of pancakes for a local rancher at the town cafe can also be a pretty good way to learn about areas that typically hold prairie grouse. You might also consider stopping at the local small-town post office early in the morning with a dozen donuts to ask the rural mail carriers where they see birds on their routes. prairie grouse. You might also consider stopping at the local small-town post office early in the morning with a dozen donuts to ask the rural mail carriers where they see birds on their routes.

HUNT ’EM UP

Various strategies work for prairie grouse in early fall. Whichever tactic you choose, always follow the regulations wherever you’re hunting. Walking up prairie grouse is a popular hunting method, but the miles-to-birds ratio is often skewed toward the miles, so expect to walk a lot. Conversely, pass-shooting birds flying to feeding areas requires little walking, but opportunities can be more limited.

With Dogs

Sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens can both be successfully hunted with bird dogs, whether flushing or pointing breeds. Prairie grouse inhabit big country, so consider your dog’s hunting style and its physical shape before committing to a long walk.

When hunting with bird dogs, work hilltop cover and saddles in large grassland expanses in the early morning and late afternoon. The heat of midday in early autumn can be too much for both dogs and hunters, so plan accordingly. Ideally, hunters should work into the wind, or with a crosswind, so the bird’s scent comes to the dogs. The sound of the wind can also help conceal the noise of approaching hunters.

If a bird or two flushes wild in front of the dogs, be ready for some quick action. Older birds will often flush with light pressure from hunters and their dogs, while young-of-the-year birds will sit tight, maybe even holding for a pointing dog.

Without Dogs

Those hunting prairie grouse without bird dogs should generally plan to walk in the same type of habitat that they would hunt with canine companions. Make large circles or crisscross prairie hilltops, saddles and edges, preferably with the wind in your face. Take your time and pick apart cover, especially along transitions in grass types, weedy patches and rocky outcropping edges.

Another strategy—one of the most effective for dogless prairie grouse hunters, especially those after greater prairie chickens—is to pass-shoot birds as they fly into feed fields. It takes some scouting to determine where birds are coming from and where they’re entering fields. Scout with a bino to find birds and, ideally, identify their patterns when going to feed.

Much like a waterfowl hunter would, set up on the field edge and use any natural cover or structure—fence posts, hay bales or vegetation—to blend in, or use a blind to remain hidden. Then, wait for the birds to fly in. Prairie grouse are strong flyers, and their approach to a field can be deceiving. It’s generally easier to hit birds as they fly into the field than it is to attempt going-away shots once they pass by. Birds will usually fall closer to you, and you lessen the likelihood of them sailing onto a neighboring property.

GEAR UP

Prairie grouse rank somewhere between ringneck pheasants and bobwhite quail when it comes to size. Plan on toting a shotgun loaded with a light to medium- heavy upland load. Shot sizes from No. 5 to No. 7 work fine in 12-, 16-, 20- or 28-gauge shotguns. Speaking of shotguns, bring one that you don’t mind carrying for miles. An improved cylinder or modified choke is a good option for typical shot opportunities when hunting prairie grouse.

Sturdy, broken-in boots made for walking are a must, and something with ankle support for uneven ground is nice. Pair them with cushioned socks for high- mile comfort. Lightweight upland chaps or upland pants with double-layered leg fronts come in handy, as they shed dew or frost on early mornings and protect from sharp grass stems.

Strap-type upland vests really shine for early-fall prairie grouse hunting. You can wear a hoody or a fleece in the early morning when it’s chilly and peel off layers as the day warms up. Have ample pockets to carry water for both you and your dog, too, as water can be hard to find on the prairie. And don’t forget a good cooler with fresh ice and some zip-top bags. That beautiful and delicious grouse you bagged on a morning walk will be quickly ruined if not dealt with before temperatures warm throughout the day.

A first-aid kit for your dog is a must- have item that you’ll hopefully never need. Consult with your veterinarian on what to include, but start with saline rinse, duct tape, vet wrap, tweezers and wire cutters. Mild early-season weather some- times means abundant ticks, so keep your bird dog up to date on tick treatments, and consider treating your own clothing with permethrin to prevent tick bites.

Prairie grouse seasons offer hunters a fantastic chance to get onto some early-season birds, whether they hunt with a dog or not. Prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse are stunning game birds, and the grasslands they inhabit are equally breathtaking. While the hunting can be challenging at times, harvesting these beautiful and tasty birds is also incredibly rewarding.

PRAIRIE GROUSE PARADISES

Several hot spots to consider when chasing greater prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse.

The Midwest is blessed with some exceptional areas to hunt prairie grouse, whether you’re after greater prairie chickens, sharp-tailed grouse or both. Predictably, the most productive states for prairie grouse lie in the Great Plains. So, for most Midwesterners, any prairie grouse pursuit will involve heading West. If planning a trip, keep the following areas in mind.

SMOKY HILLS HAVENS

North-central Kansas’ Smoky Hills region is a terrific place to start your search for greater prairie chickens. Look to stay in Russell, Wilson or Lucas. Begin by scouting for chickens on Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) areas in the King Hill, Twin Mound and Sunny Slope Mound areas. These spots are geographical landmarks on private lands with public WIHA areas nearby. For solid dining, hit up the Midland Railroad Hotel and Restaurant, a hidden gem in Wilson that’s been recently renovated to its original 1899 glory. Sylvan Grove’s Fly Boy Brewery and Eats is another must-visit once hunting is wrapped up for the day.

SANDHILLS SWEET SPOTS

Nebraska’s Sandhills offer incredible opportunities for prairie grouse hunters. The Samuel McKelvie National Forest, Valentine and Crescent Lake national wildlife refuges, Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest and the Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area all offer solid hunting and access to more than 330,000 acres of prairie habitat. Sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie chicken populations at these areas are also substantial. Chadron State Park has 22 cabins—with kitchens, heat, AC and linens—available for rent on the state- owned property. The Hilltop Motel in Crawford offers comfortable rooms near acres and acres of public hunting access, and when your hunt is over, check out the Frontier Restaurant and Bar.

GRASSLANDS GETAWAYS

The Dakotas offer several national grasslands on which prairie grouse thrive. South Dakota’s Fort Pierre National Grassland boasts 115,890 acres of public hunting access to excellent prairie grouse habitat that holds solid populations of both greater prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse. The Governor’s Inn in Pierre is a dog-friendly motor inn with continental breakfast, and Mad Mary’s Steak House & Saloon is a must for an evening refuel after logging miles on the prairie. While North Dakota doesn’t allow prairie chicken hunting due to declining numbers, the state has loads of sharp-tailed grouse. Little Missouri National Grassland in western North Dakota is the country’s largest national grassland, with 1,033,271 acres to explore. Medora offers several lodging options, and you can enjoy drinks, dining and the autumn weather on Boots Bar and Grill’s patio.

• This article was featured in the October 2024 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe.

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