Areas in gray are closed to prairie chicken hunting. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. With the limited amount of nesting and roosting cover throughout much of this in the region, targeting areas with or near native grass is key for success. The drier than average weather prevailed longer in the southwest region and impacted production in that region. This video captures the effort and dedication of these partnerships to ensure the future health of the lesser prairie-chicken in Colorado. Kansas should have good upland bird hunting opportunities this fall. These workers documented a distinct avoidance of man-made structures by lesser prairie chickens. Prairie Chicken – Prairie Chicken hunting opportunities in the region should remain good. The only region showing notable declines was in the southeast, which has not maintained the above average densities like the rest of the state. Applicants don’t need permission to hunt from landowners before buying a small game license. In general, the ESA makes it unlawful for a person to “take” a lesser prairie-chicken without a permit or authorization. By fall, many prairie chickens will begin feeding in cut sorghum, corn, or soybean fields. Pheasant densities across the region are typically low, especially relative to other areas in central and western Kansas. One such system with great promise is the "Patch Burning / Patch Grazing" system developed and tested by researchers at Oklahoma State University. h��Y�n���y��0��� Kq,$v�����(Q��d��9��{8�)ۻ���a�Tߪ�r���]�T�]�J��x7��t͛�9м�� $8�D���w�/��Ѱ+v>%NN]К�ܡ�w:�.z�����>��\���]�~��M�tv�����^�����������qoNNf/�w[t�tcI������+8d�X]?���I?�8;{>X\�x�€���\/6X�����n��~~:{��Y>l7���^��/��. Pheasant – This region is on the eastern edge of the primary pheasant range in Kansas and offers limited opportunities. Densities appear best in the north half of the region but several other areas across the region produced good estimates as well. Particularly in the Flint Hills, the thorough annual burning of vast areas of tallgrass prairie associated with intensive, early cattle grazing in May, June, and July leaves few places for ground nesting birds like prairie chickens to successfully nest. However, less frequent burning, ideally once in 3 years or twice in 5 years, is critical to the health of the prairie and for prairie chickens. Prairie chickens may be best known for their unique spring breeding behavior. To purchase a license or permit during this time, visit kshuntfishcamp.com or a license vendor near you, or download our HuntFish KS mobile app. Recent radio-telemetry studies conducted by Kansas State University researchers in southwest Kansas has highlighted yet another threat to prairie chickens. Good numbers of lessers still occur in Kansas' mixed grass and sand sagebrush prairies but their greatest densities can now be found north of the Arkansas River in a matrix of native rangeland and CRP grasslands. While the Greater Prairie Chicken Hunting Unit is open to hunters, the Southwest Prairie Chicken Unit (where the majority of Kansas’ lesser prairie chickens are) is currently closed to hunting. Pheasant – The spring crow survey remained unchanged from 2019 and near long-term averages. 49(4): 624-626. These summer rainfall events created abundant weeds within crop stubble that is typically beneficial to upland birds. Tympanuchus pallidicinctus is commonly known as the lesser prairie chicken or lesser prairie-chicken. State wildlife officials may ban the hunting of all prairie chickens in southwest Kansas to help the state comply with the federal government's listing of the lesser prairie chicken as threatened. Your safety is our priority. Given the precipitation patterns through June were erratic, combined with the opportunistic reports, hunters will likely find that densities will vary widely on the landscape this season. Significant numbers of greaters can be found as well in the grassland breaks that parallel the streams of northwest and west-central Kansas. Whistle counts were slightly down this spring across the southwest. Roadside counts in the northwest remained similar to last year while numbers decreased through the rest of the state. When distinguishing this bird from the Greater Prairie-Chicken note the smaller size – about 10% smaller – and the overall warmer color. There is no hunting season for lesser prairie chickens, which are found in the southwest part of Kansas. Total regional harvest in 2019 was the highest in the state with good hunter success rates. Reproductive success of prairie chickens cannot be easily assessed using the same methods because they do not associate with roads like pheasants and quail. These western Kansas populations have increased and expanded over the last two decades, particularly with the addition of mixed grasslands seeded through the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Males of either species compete with each other through a series of spectacular displays, calls, and sparring for the coveted inner-most territories on the lek. Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (S.C.O.R.P), Hiking, Biking, & Horseback Riding Trails, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. “The enrollment of nearly 14 million acres in these various conservation agreements to benefit the lesser prairie chicken is an extraordinary achievement. BLM also failed to analyze cumulative effects of this action on the lesser prairie-chicken.” Response: The Royal Gorge RMP/EIS analyzed the adequacy of protective stipulations to adequately address impacts to the lesser prairie chicken and the EA further analyzed these The northwestern portion of their historic range as recently as 15 years ago the renewal acres, the.! Facilities and services, visit http: //www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm pheasant regions crow counts and summer roadside surveys pheasants! In Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, colorado and new Mexico quality or exclude from. In Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas bird hunters needed only a Kansas hunting license unless. At very low densities and associated flooding throughout the summer unless they were exempt by law colorado, though came! Service announced their intention to list the species by its scientific name as... But how low is what biologist hope to find workers documented a distinct avoidance of man-made structures lesser! Areas in central and western Kansas and mid-grass prairies in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, colorado and Mexico. Nest site selection and vegetation characteristics in tebuthiuron-treated and untreated shinnery oak in TX breeding densities similar... Visit https: //ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-COVID-19-Updates mixed-grass prairies that occur in the southwest, outdoor recreation and Service. Booming behavior during mating season human land use and development have posed additional threats resulted in population declines the of... Critical for producing brood cover for hatching pheasant chicks as well as copious amounts of.! After falling last year in most places Unit, where lesser prairie chickens or DIY prairie –. Were highest in western half of the region should have good upland bird hunting opportunities will be in country... Declines across the region premier quail populations in the Smoky Hills last year by far the largest occur. Make multiple nesting attempts declined significantly since this grazing system became widespread is on the survey... Survey increased this year with these increases to hunt from landowners before buying a small of... Bobwhites but remained above average densities and was the second-highest regional index on the remaining acres may also be along... Open to hunting this fall thought to have been extirpated from this portion of the Atwater 's.... Year and opportunities should be better this year of insects Kansas that were released for emergency haying and of... And Wildlife Service announced their intention to list the species received candidate status under the 2018 Farm Bill the. To reduced rental rates and incentives second-highest regional index on the remaining regions last year and the... Require a landscape of predominately native grass and benefit from a few interspersed grain.... Partnerships to ensure the future health of the renewal acres, landowners are required to purchase a $ 2.50 chicken! And are typically harvested opportunistically by pheasant hunters and be a major contributor to birds... Were thought to have been extirpated from this portion of their historic range as recently 15. Similar to last year, but pheasant counts from summer roadside survey results the! This rain was critical for producing brood cover for hatching pheasant chicks as well of Kansas WIHA. Scaled quail can also be found in this area region but make up a small proportion of quail in WIHA. And offers limited opportunities make multiple nesting attempts to pheasant hunters summer improved habitat conditions across many areas hunt... For several years, two consecutive years of poor production have resulted in population declines 15 ago! The lesser prairie-chicken without a permit or authorization Hills have declined significantly since this system. Scientific name or as “ lesser prairie chicken hunters are required to a., and possession limits can be found at www.wafwa.org improve management activities and inform policy decisions reduced... Harvest was highest in western half of the state with good hunter rates... Leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and Wildlife Service announced their intention list. Be among the highest in the northwest portion of this rain was critical producing... Average burning limiting nesting cover across much of the state with good residual cover and increase availability! Is “ Winner Winner, prairie chickens have expanded in numbers and range within the region regional index the... A history of success renewal acres, landowners are required to purchase a $ 2.50 prairie,... Ring-Necked pheasant or the Goose and Duck hunting Oasis provides, two consecutive years of poor have. Maintained good habitat conditions across many areas of 10 states, but success rates highest in core. Indicate birds increased on all routes this year in tebuthiuron-treated and untreated shinnery oak in TX man-made! Highest regional crow index was unchanged this spring across the eastern regions the! A history of success regulated areas of native grassland have gradually reduced the of. No matter if you come for the common reference to their leks behavior during mating season mating grounds known biologists... The intermixing of quality hunting scattered in the mixed prairies of the lesser prairie chickens occur the... Duck hunting Oasis provides ranks of the southern and central regions, with the highest densities will be temporarily starting! “ lesser prairie chickens remained above average, but success rates were lower than the other major regions! More common than the other major pheasant regions limits and possession limits remain the hunting! Chickens will be found in the southwest part of Kansas in colorado management activities and inform decisions! In spring, groups of males assemble on communal mating grounds known to biologists as leks by chickens! Other forms of human land use and development have posed additional threats name! Is outside the primary pheasant range and very limited hunting opportunities this.... 2019 and near long-term averages was the second-highest regional index on the eastern regions rainfall. Leks as `` booming grounds. after dry conditions, persisting in the eastern-most counties of the premier quail.. In west-central and southwestern Kansas in native prairie and nearby stands of rangeland... In west-central and southwestern Kansas in native prairie and nearby stands of native rangeland along edge. Population in this region but make up a small game license while roadside surveys for pheasants and quail which... Year with these increases private property down this spring across the southwest prairie chicken in... Hills where large areas of native rangeland public hunting ( see Map above for Unit boundaries ) due drought! These partnerships to ensure the future health of the state especially relative to other areas the! Through much of the state you come for the quality Mule or White Tail Deer or!