Sharp-tailed grouse are the quintessential native game bird of the northern plains. The six recognized subspecies of sharptails once had much wider distribution, occupying large swaths of the upper Midwest and the intermountain region. Even now, their distribution stretches from Alaska to Nebraska. They once were snubbed by many upland hunters in favor of colorful, exotic pheasants. Over the last few decades, enough aficionados have sung their praises that people have started to pay attention. Some sharptail meccas have seen a large influx of hunters that come to the prairie specifically to target these charismatic grouse. Most visitors make their annual pilgrimage to hunt sharptails on the prairie in early September. Some come even earlier to train dogs on them in July and August. During the late summer, bird seasons aren’t open in most places around the country. Not even the hazards of rattlesnake encounters and heatstroke deter the throngs of hunters and trainers eager to kick-start their season.
Not Just September Birds A cursory review of hunting regulations will show that sharp-tailed grouse can be hunted long after hot summer days wane. In most places they can be hunted into the depths of winter. Sharptails are well adapted to the snow. Their insulating feathers cover most of their legs. Their feet have pectinae, small projections that give them snowshoe-like floatation. They also snow-roost and congregate in larger flocks to preserve their body heat. Late season sharptails are big and beautiful. A single bird can easily feed two people, maybe more. Their feathers are full, making them ideal for a taxidermy mount. With so much going for them, why don't more hunters pursue winter sharp-tailed grouse?
It all comes down to how sharptails behave around dogs. Put bluntly, early season sharptails are foolish. Most young-of-the-year are still in broods, following their mother as they learn how to find food and avoid predators. Because they are hesitant to leave the safety of these family groups, they often hold tight for a pointing dog. They are indeed an incredible tool to teach a young dog good search work and steadiness in open country. However, a hunter can't fully appreciate these wondrous, wiley prairie dwellers unless they dedicate time to pursuing them during the late season. By then, even the young-of-the-year are full grown and cagey. Far from impossible though, the late season can bring rewarding sharptail hunting to those willing to try. If you are up for the challenge, consider these tips to make your late-season hunt a success.
Five Tips For Late Season Sharptails As a rule, sharp-tailed grouse prefer short grass mixed with plenty of forbs. They love gentle ridges and elevated bowls that allow them to see danger approaching. In the late fall and winter, things can change. You’ll still find them on the heights, especially where the wind has kept the ground mostly snow-free, but you will more often find them in lower country. Look for draws and coulees where wild plums, chokecherry, and buffaloberry meet healthy prairie. These bushes not only provide leftover berries and easy access to ground vegetation, they also provide thermal cover, where birds can rest out of the wind and preserve precious calories. More so than any other time of the year, winter sharptail habitat overlaps with pheasant cover. You’ll even find them in groves of cottonwoods, aspen stands, and riparian areas adjacent to hay and wheat fields. Even when winter roosting, they like to keep an eye on the approaches to their lair. In the morning and evening, they often flutter up into tree branches or bush tops. This liminal space allows them to stay close to warmer cover, while still watching for danger. Deciduous tree buds are also one of the best food sources available in a landscape blanketed with snow.
It is always a good idea to minimize the amount of noise you make in the field. Wild sharp-tailed grouse evolved to avoid much more stealthy predators than you. If you slam your truck doors, yack it up with your buddies, and yell at your dog, you shouldn’t be surprised if the only sharptails you see are disappearing over the horizon. Think about how to minimize every noise you make. Use an e-collar to direct your dog and hand signals to communicate with your party. If you can, walk on patches of bare ground or soft new snow, not crusty snow. If a sentry bird detects your approach and takes to wing at forty yards, don’t make the mistake of shooting at it. Instead, hustle up to its hideout. Sharptails often popcorn-flush. If you can close the distance, you are almost certain to be rewarded with a better shooting opportunity.
Sharptails have excellent hearing, but their eyesight is even better. A late season sharptail hunt has more in common with a spot-and-stalk deer hunt than a preserve pheasant shoot. Whether you see where a flock is holding, or if you have an idea of a prime piece of cover, your goal should be to remain unseen as long as possible. Oftentimes birds will hold on the lee side of hills or brush, because these are comfortable spots to take a break out of the wind. But that also means if you try to approach with the wind in your dog’s favor, you will likely be visible. Try to come from the upwind side of the coulee or ridge, then drop into the best cover at the last moment. Hunting solo is a big advantage. If you do go with a friend or two, ditch the pheasant drive tactics. Walk together, only spitting off to flank opposite sides of tree rows and bushes. Occasionally, an opportunity arises for some exciting high-bird grouse shooting. If birds are perched on a hillside, simultaneously approach from above and below. The lucky hunter below will have some spectacular shooting when the flock flushes. When they flush, late season sharptails aren’t likely to flutter a short distance to the next available cover. They are more likely to sail across an entire valley to land on a high observation point. Consequently, re-flush opportunities are uncommon.
Traveling hunters may be hesitant to make the sojourn to sharptail covers in winter weather, but locals know that new snow can bring the most memorable sharptail hunts of the season. Not only does winter weather push birds into more predictable spots, it also helps you keep your hunt stealthy. Boots on a week-old snow crust will sound the alarm as you approach, but a few inches of new snow will make you a ghost. With practice, you can keep quiet enough to walk into the heart of a flock of roosting sharptails before they flush.
It might be sacrilege to some, but if you leave your dog at home for a few hunts, you can really hone your own predatory skills. No time is this more true than chasing sharptails in the snow. If you want to hunt with your dog, temper your expectations. Late season sharptails are a master class in caution and steadiness. If your pointing dog can learn to handle winter sharptails, they can do well on any species. Flushing breeds give a bit more leeway for error, but still require solid recall and ranging skills. Regardless what kind of dog you have, don't just blindly follow them on an aimless wander around the prairie. Pay attention to where you see grouse tracks in the snow, listen for the sound of them chortling, and watch for sentinel birds perched on brush or trees. Plan your walk in a way that gives your dog the best advantage. If you know where birds are, or have a good hunch, quietly work into those spots. This will give your dog time to react to the birds before their cagey nature sends them sailing.
Gear Considerations Increase your chances of success on late season sharptails by fine-tuning your gear. Carry whatever gun you shoot best, but expect the best performance out of a 20-, 16-, or 12-gauge. Pheasant loads with at least an ounce of 5 or 6 shot are a good choice. These heavier cartridges do increase your shooting range. More importantly, they allow you to make cleaner kills within the 30-40 yard range. A Modified choke will give you the best balance of performance on jumpy grouse.
You'll likely be huffing and puffing up and down prairie hills in the snow, so wear insulating and outer layers made of synthetic materials that dry quickly when you sweat. Avoid waterproof layers that lock in moisture. Wear insulated hiking boots with gaiters to keep the snow out of your socks. Rubber winter boots can work, but only if they fit comfortably and don't give you blisters. It's a good idea to carry two pairs of gloves, a heavier pair in case your hands get really cold, and a light pair for better dexterity when needed. When the sun comes out, be sure to have sunglasses and sunscreen on hand. Don't forget, you and your dog need plenty of water, even in the cold. Despite their excellent adaptations, sharptails are challenged by the hardships of late fall and winter. Food becomes more difficult to find, and the birds become more visible to predators. Many sharptail flocks will already have sustained plenty of early season hunting pressure. The conscientious late-season sharptail hunter will only take a few birds out of a flock then move on.
Early season sharptails might get most of the attention, but late season birds are a true challenge for those that love prairie grouse. Don’t be afraid to take on sharptails in the snow. You’ll enjoy empty fields full of opportunity and devoid of September crowds. Take the time to celebrate every bird that you add to your vest and give thanks for these special birds that embody the beauty of the prairie winter.
