Anyone hunt prairie chickens in Nebraska? Looking to go early this fall. Done lots of research and think I have a general area picked out. I am planning to go pre-scout this summer and hopefully get permission to some spots. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for that's never hunted them before?
You need to find water and cover. You may be able to find water by looking for windmill operated pumps. You might start somewhere around Valentine.
Riding around and glassing is one way. Chartering a small plane and flying around with a map, GPS, notebook and pens is another.
You might consider hunting them first with a guide service to see how it works and then do it on your own. You might consider speaking with Rex & Deb's near Burwell, NE if they are still outfitting.
I have not stayed dialed in, I don't know how the population is doing. But late September is the time, so you have just over 3 months.
Thanks for the info Turkey Trot. I thought about the guided thing, but it costs more than I'm willing to pay at this point from the handful of outfitters I've seen. I visited with the GW in the area I'm planning to target and he gave me a few pointers on what to look for, and sounds like it's not to terrible to get permission. I'm self taught on lots of other game, so was hoping with pre-season scouting, research, and lots of walking (since I plan to do that anyway) I'd be able to find a few. Sounds like the population is holding fairly steady. Thanks again Trot
Do you have a dog?
IMO, NE opens their season too early. I would wait till it cools down a bit, like late Sept or early Oct.
They are jumpy on way windy days. Hunt the sheltered side of the topography.
Hunt adjacent to grain if possible. They will be back in the grass by mid morning.
Greg
I have never had the patience to specifically hunt for prairie chickens. We have a lot in Western Kansas. It seems like finding a needle in a haystack. They prefer flying into the middle of a gigantic grass field and are pretty wary. The hard core guys scout out fields they have been using and wait in hay bail blinds, hoping they happen to fly into range. The chickens we have shot have all been birds we stumble across when we are pheasant hunting.
It seems that if you want to hunt these things, you either need to be extremely patient or willing to cover a LOT of ground! Or both.
Good luck.
I do have a dog, but I'm not likely going to run him much except early and maybe late in the day. I plan to walk many miles and it'll pry be too hot to run him too much, unless I happen to get lucky and find an area I see them go to. I was suggested to hunt earlier, although it's super hot, b/c birds are likely to hold in range better. Plus I have a 3 day weekend in early Sept. I have considered still going at your suggested time, but it overlaps with waterfowling and besides turkeys that's my passion when it comes to hunting. We will see what happens, and hopefully my scouting trip is successful and helps. All good info guys, thanks again for your suggestions it's much appreciated.
Do not come to wv and hunt them the chicken hawks pretty well destroyed the population along with the yotes.
We have ruffed grouse though