Ideas for searching better prairie-chickens in the direction of the tip of their season.
The Kansas Flint Hills prairie rose 100 ft above the low-lying soybean area I used to be searching. Every day, two teams of better prairie-chickens screamed down from the grasslands and into the sphere to feed at unbelievable speeds. I had these birds dialed in; I knew precisely which electrical pole they flew previous each morning. I used to be arrange properly earlier than daybreak, able to pass-shoot them.
The primary group got here in properly prematurely, however I used to be unprepared for how briskly they had been. I missed, wildly behind. I adjusted my swing on the subsequent group, acquired fortunate, and dropped a hen on the tail finish of the group. Was it the hen I used to be taking pictures at? Most likely not. However in any case, I had my first late season rooster.
That rooster searching expertise was extra like pass-shooting waterfowl than upland hen searching, however it was totally distinctive and extremely enjoyable. Each upland hunter ought to attempt it. The following tips will provide help to join on a better prairie-chicken in the course of the late season.
Better Prairie-Rooster Winter Feeding Habits
Better prairie-chickens are a definite grassland species. They’re one of the crucial obligate grassland hen species in North America. Nevertheless, they’ve tailored to feeding on grain crops left over after a harvest.
Like most upland hen species, they feed very first thing within the morning and once more within the night. Not like most upland birds, although, they don’t stroll into their feeding grounds. As a substitute, they fly from their roosts and loafing areas within the grasslands to the crop fields to feed.
Their desire for flying means they are often very straightforward to identify going from one place to the subsequent. This makes figuring out a great searching spot straightforward. My most profitable scouting journeys included driving round grasslands and croplands within the mornings and evenings, searching for birds flying from place to position.
Recommendation For Go-Taking pictures Prairie Chickens
Prairie-chickens have a peculiar behavior of utilizing the identical area for a number of consecutive days. These birds additionally enter the sphere at roughly the identical place each time. Generally, a number of teams of birds will exhibit this habits in a single single area. It’s smart to spend a few mornings pinpointing the exact spot the place they enter and exit the sphere to make sure you have the very best likelihood at a shot.
After you have discovered the very best spot for achievement, safe permission to hunt the sphere. If permission is granted, method the hunt as for those who had been duck searching. Put on camouflage clothes and contemplate grassing in a makeshift blind. Keep very nonetheless; solely rise to shoot when the birds are in vary.
Surprisingly, pass-shooting feels similar to dove searching. The birds enter the sphere deceptively quick, and it’s straightforward to shoot behind them. Fortunately, the identical group will usually return to the sphere in the identical spot after the primary volley, providing you with a number of probabilities to dial in your lead. Additionally, a number of shot alternatives can happen if a number of flocks are utilizing the identical area.
Deciding on For Grownup Male Prairie-Chickens
A protracted-time winter prairie-chicken hunter as soon as informed me, “If you wish to harvest a totally feathered male for mounting functions, contemplate ready for the second or third flock to enter the sphere earlier than pulling the set off.”
Grownup males go to grassland leks each morning as part of their social dynamic earlier than feeding. Consequently, they’re usually the final birds to fly into the feed fields. I’ve not hunted chickens sufficient in the course of the winter to know if his recommendation is true, however biologically, it is smart. For those who can afford to put off the primary flock, maybe give it some consideration.
Ideas for Searching Late Season Prairie-Chickens With A Canine
Better prairie-chickens are onerous to method between November and January. Throughout this time, they reside in massive flocks and infrequently submit sentry birds to maintain an eye fixed out for hazard. Additionally they flush from hunters and canines at for much longer distances. These habits are why a number of states initiated early season prairie-chicken hunts in September. In September, the birds act extra like conventional upland recreation birds and are extra simply hunted with hen canines.
That mentioned, conventional upland hunters can use a few tips to method late season birds. First, use terrain to your benefit. Birds usually tuck into the lee facet of hills or ridges to achieve respite from the prairie winds. Sneak across the again facet of those locations and pop up excessive to catch snoozing birds unaware. It is a time-tested tactic, particularly within the Sandhills of Nebraska.
Moreover, hunt with close-ranging canines and be as quiet as potential. Loud yelling, whistling, and rangy canines make approaching prairie-chickens even more durable, even when your canine holds a staunch level.
Lastly, it does no good to hunt taller grass. Prairie-chickens don’t use tall grasses fairly often. For those who’re searching conventional pheasant cowl, the grass is simply too tall.
I don’t say all this to make killing birds in the course of the conventional winter seasons sound not possible. It’s simply tougher. However it may be finished. Don’t be discouraged by my warnings. As a substitute, use the following tips that can assist you achieve success.
The place to Hunt Late Season Prairie-Chickens
Kansas is the basic state to hunt better prairie-chickens in grasslands and feed fields in the course of the late season. Whereas the Flint Hills inhabitants has struggled not too long ago, there are nonetheless loads of locations to cross shoot birds flying into crop fields. Right here, the fields are usually within the creek bottoms beneath the hills, like within the story I discussed originally of this text.
Extra choices embody Kansas’s Smoky Hills and Excessive Plains. These landscapes have a a lot better interspersion of grasslands and croplands plus a extra strong street system. Flying birds are simpler to identify the morning and afternoon skies. There are additionally extra publicly accessible grassland items in these sections than within the Flint Hills, so that you’ll have extra room for you and your canine to roam.
I’ve had good luck knocking on doorways within the Flint and Smoky Hills to safe non-public land permission. Kansas landowners respect prairie chickens however don’t prize them as extremely as pheasants. Nebraska and South Dakota even have massive chunks of grasslands interspersed with crop fields. Populations in these states are doing fairly properly.
As you possibly can see, ample alternatives exist to attempt your hand at late season chickens. The standard upland searching methodology is at all times enjoyable, however give the cross taking pictures alongside crop fields a attempt. You’ll discover it an important problem and fairly sporting. However nonetheless you intend to do it, searching these birds within the late season is price it. Better prairie-chickens are a real image of America’s grasslands and are a hen price treasuring.
