NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/708333
44 NEBRASKAland • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016 P rairie chickens and grouse inhabit remote areas hidden within mile after mile of rolling prairie hills and grasslands punctuated by an occasional windmill, hay meadow, shrub thicket or cedar tree grove blended in the landscape. For those willing and able to walk several miles for birds, it's a hunt made of peaceful scenery and lasting memories. Hunting the Hills Most of the prairie grouse's range in Nebraska is in the Sandhills region covering the northwestern and north- central parts of the state. These rolling hills are not for the faint of heart and hunters should be in good physical condition to conquer Sandhills hunting. The physical hardships of grouse hunting, however, are paid off by stunning views along with a bagged bird or two. Part of a successful hunt is recognizing good bird habitat, using the time of day to your advantage and access to hunting areas that have ample habitat. These will help cut down the number of footsteps a hunter takes. Look for moderately thick, shin- to knee-high grass in hill valleys and areas where there are broad-leaved plants and insects – food sources for birds. Hillsides and tops should have tall grasses and shrubs, such as plum, chokecherry, poison ivy and wild rose. Crop grounds and pivots can also produce birds feeding on corn, wheat, milo, grasshoppers, crickets and other insects and forbs. Later in the season, mid-October on, look for birds feeding in harvested crop fields and areas with wild rose hips, poison ivy berries, cedar berries and any remaining insects. Early Season Hunting Some of the best hunting is early in the season as the birds haven't been hunted much and the weather is sunny and warm. "Use weather conditions to your favor – temperature, wind, sun and the time of year will determine where you look for birds," said Lance Hastings, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife district manager in North Platte and an avid prairie grouse hunter. "I have my best luck early in the season when it's sunny, hot, with some breeze or wind. Mid-to-late morning if it's hot and breezy, I hunt areas with shade and out of the wind. Shade can consist of abrupt elevation change [topography], a single cedar tree or an immature shelterbelt, a lone deciduous tree, plum thickets, or tall grass shading some bare sand. I use the topography of the hills to determine where I walk to find birds, never walking in a straight line. "Based on my hunting experience, I find sharptails in the higher, more abrupt terrain with rougher, larger hill ranges, and find prairie chickens in more rolling, gentle, sloping hills. There are areas in Nebraska with primarily prairie chickens, areas with primarily sharptails, and areas with both species present in the same areas of the Sandhills," Hastings added. Birds can be found feeding in valleys with good habitat and low-to-mid northern hillsides in the early mornings and from mid-afternoon to sundown. Mid-day you will find birds loafing along higher ridges, and early in the season birds will keep cool under plum, poison ivy, and chokecherry patches and take advantage of shady spots with cool breezes on warm days. Late Season Hunting As the weather cools and winter nears with temperatures consistently dropping below 40 degrees, look for birds on southern slopes, downwind from ridges as they will sun themselves and feed on any remaining insects that will be attracted to thicker weeds or shrubs and the warm sun. TJ Walker, a district wildlife manager with the Commission, tries to approach birds that are feeding on insects by walking with the wind and circling out and around the thicker weedy spots then coming back over the ridge. "You can also walk cross-wind, following the base of or part way up a slope to the areas where birds are finding insects." Another tactic Walker uses is pass shooting. "Once the fall crops get harvested, find a spot between extensive rangeland and a field of corn stalks, bean stubble or other possible winter food sources. Go out in the evening and watch for prairie grouse flying into the field one to two hours before sunset and back out of the field after sunset. The next morning return to the spot where they crossed the fence and hunker down in the grass or weeds and wait for some pass shooting." Walker's final tip is to "Watch your leads and try to hit them out in front of you or after they pass by. The birds are flying faster than they look as Grouse Hunting By Julie Geiser A primer for the prairie grouse season in Nebraska