Prairie Three

Greater Prairie-Chicken

Tympanuchus cupido

Field Guide
Core 9

Range

Remnant tallgrass and mixed-grass populations in the central Great Plains and upper Midwest.

Habitat

Large grassland complexes with varied height, minimal woody encroachment and nearby feeding ground.

Best timing

Early fall seasons vary widely and may use permits or unit restrictions. Plan around the current state rules.

Identification

Rounded tail, dark belly barring and orange neck sacs on males; lacks the sharp-tail’s pointed central feathers.

Public-land starting points

Best bets for the quest

Sandhills and Open Fields and Waters properties

Walk-In Hunting Access grasslands in open units

Fort Pierre National Grassland and public-access grassland

How to hunt the habitat

1Start with states offering meaningful public-access programs and huntable populations.
2Work native grass near grain, recently grazed patches and ridge-top roosting cover.
3Be conservative with identification where sharp-tailed grouse overlap.