The sharptail grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) is a medium-sized prairie grouse that is a popular game bird throughout its range in the western half of North America. In Wyoming, sharptail grouse are found throughout the eastern two-thirds of the state in open grasslands, sagebrush, and agricultural areas. Finding good locations to hunt sharptail grouse requires knowing their preferred habitats, distribution, land access, and recent population trends.
Preferred Habitats
Sharptail grouse use a variety of habitats during the year, but generally prefer areas with a mix of native grasslands, sagebrush, and agricultural fields. Their main habitat requirements are:
- Breeding areas – dense residual grass cover from the previous year for nesting and brood-rearing
- Summer areas – diverse mix of grasses, forbs, and shrubs for feeding; interspersed bare ground allows for dust baths
- Winter areas – tall grasses and shrubs for food and cover
In Wyoming, some of the best breeding habitats are in mountain foothills with grasslands and sagebrush. Productive summer habitats can be found on prairies, plains, and parks with a mix of grasses, sage, and agricultural lands. Birds often winter along creek bottoms, ranchlands, and other areas where food and cover remain available.
Understanding these seasonal habitat needs is key for finding sharptail grouse consistently throughout the year. Areas with a diverse mix of native grasslands, sagebrush, and agricultural fields generally support the best year-round populations.
Distribution in Wyoming
Sharptails are widely distributed across most of eastern Wyoming. According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, they are present in suitable habitats in all counties east of the Continental Divide.
Some of the best sharptail habitat occurs in the Thunder Basin National Grassland and surrounding areas. Other notable populations occur near Gillette, Lusk, Douglas, and Wheatland. The southeast Bighorn Mountains, North Platte River valley, and northeast corner of the state also hold good numbers of sharptails.
The attached map shows the overall distribution of sharptail grouse in Wyoming based on data from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Focus your search efforts in counties shown as having abundant or common numbers. Contact the local wildlife biologist for up-to-date information on populations in specific areas.
Public Land Access
Many of the best areas for finding sharptails are on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service, and Wyoming state lands. These public land units offer excellent walk-in access for sharptail hunting:
- Thunder Basin National Grassland – Over 550,000 acres of prime sharptail habitat with ample public access.
- Medicine Bow National Forest – Check the Douglas and Laramie Ranger Districts.
- Prairie Dog Creek State Land Block – Over 115,000 acres north of Wheatland.
- Laramie Peak Wildlife Habitat Management Area – 36,000 acres northwest of Wheatland.
In addition to these large blocks of public land, there are dozens of BLM parcels and state land sections scattered across eastern Wyoming that provide localized hunting opportunities. Use online mapping tools to locate these lands and contact the administering agency about access restrictions.
Private Lands
While public lands offer great sharptail hunting access, most grouse populations in Wyoming occur on private property. Fortunately, many landowners allow walk-in hunting or lease out hunting rights on their land. Two ways to gain access to private lands with good sharptail numbers include:
- Asking permission from landowners – Be polite, offer to share some harvested birds, and follow all restrictions.
- Joining a hunter access program – WyGF’s Access Yes program leases private lands for walk-in public hunting.
Additional private lands open to public hunting are enrolled in the CRP-Open Fields program. Contact local Wyoming Game and Fish Department offices for maps and details on lands enrolled in these access programs.
Recent Population Trends
Wyoming sharptail populations have experienced long-term declines over the past several decades, mostly due to habitat loss. However, they are still found in huntable numbers in quality habitats throughout eastern Wyoming.
Annual brood surveys conducted by the Wyoming Game and Fish provide an index of sharptail abundance. The following table summarizes brood survey results for the past 5 years:
Year | Sharptails Observed per 100 km | Percent Change from Previous Year |
---|---|---|
2018 | 17 | +15% |
2019 | 12 | -29% |
2020 | 11 | -8% |
2021 | 16 | +45% |
2022 | 14 | -13% |
These results show sharptail numbers fluctuate from year-to-year. However, biologists noted production was sufficient to sustain populations the past two years. Focus your efforts in areas known to consistently harbor sharptails, even during periodic declines.
Best Times to Hunt
Sharptail season dates vary by hunt area in Wyoming. Most areas are open September 1 – December 31. However, some limited quota areas like Hunt Area 35 have shorter seasons. Consult the regulations to confirm season dates for your hunt area.
The peak mating season, or sharptail “rut”, happens September – early October when birds are most active. However, hunting can be productive all season long in areas holding good numbers. Early mornings and late afternoons tend to be best during the day.
Locating Active Leks
Sharptails congregate at breeding grounds called leks each spring. Both sexes gather at these areas, where males perform elaborate displays to attract females. Locating active leks is key for finding concentrations of birds to hunt in the fall.
There are a few ways to pinpoint lek sites:
- Talk to landowners or other hunters familiar with the area.
- Drive rural roads around dawn and listen for distinct cackling sounds.
- Look for signs like feathers or droppings in open areas.
- Use online mapping tools that aggregate lek data.
Once you find an active lek site, the areas up to two miles surrounding it will hold birds during hunting season. Make sure to get permission before accessing any private lands near located leks.
Scouting Tips
Doing your legwork before opening day is the key to locating where sharptails congregate on a given area. Here are some scouting strategies to pinpoint their patterns:
- Take advantage of summer range to explore large areas quickly via dirt bike or ATV.
- Observe where birds are feeding in alfalfa or grain fields in early morning.
- Note the location of dusting sites, which often indicate good brood-rearing habitat.
- Search for droppings, feathers, and tracks around water sources.
- Listen for cackling and clucking vocalizations at dawn and dusk.
Sharptails show fidelity to seasonal home ranges, returning to the same areas year after year. Identifying these core habitats during scouting will lead you to success in the fall.
Best Methods for Harvesting Sharptails
Sharptails offer exciting action for upland bird hunters. Several effective methods can help put birds in the bag:
Spot and Stalk
Spotting and stalking involves hiking into areas sharptails inhabit and flushing them to shoot on the wing. Timing is critical – target early morning and evening when they are most active. Isolating clucking sounds pinpoints hidden coveys. Move steadily and be ready for explosive flushes.
Pass Shooting
Position yourself along known flight paths near feeding, roosting, or watering areas and wait for passing shots. Birds often follow trails between habitat types at dawn and dusk. Choose concealed locations with good visibility to intercept them in transit.
Flushing with Dogs
Well-trained bird dogs excel at flushing hidden coveys and retrieving downed birds. Their nose and field search skills greatly increase chances of encountering sharptails that might otherwise run unseen. Having a dog quarter back and forth while you walk behind is an ideal and enjoyable approach.
Using Decoys
Decoys can pull in curious or territorial birds to close range. Place them in open areas near cover with soft soils the birds use for dusting. Use both hen and cock decoys, and rotate their positioning to create lifelike movement. Calling with a handheld or mouth-operated call adds further realism.
Quick-Shot Opportunities
Look for occasions when sharptails burst into flight without warning. Birds startled by loud noises or predators will flush wildly, offering running shots. Even loafing birds resting on dirt roads or two-tracks at mid-day occasionally flush when approached. Stay alert and be ready to mount your gun quickly.
Best Guns and Loads
A good upland scattergun in 12 or 20 gauge is ideal for sharptail hunting. Their fast, bursty flights require quick handling and sufficient shot payloads. Some top choices include:
- Pump shotguns like the Remington 870 or Winchester Model 12.
- Over-unders from Browning, Beretta, or Ruger.
- Semi-autos including the Benelli Montefeltro and Franchi Affinity.
For ammunition, target loads or small bird shot from #6 to #8 work well. Lead or steel shot is effective, just match it to the choke. A modified or improved cylinder choke balances sufficient pattern density without being overly tight. Top shell brands include Remington, Winchester, Federal, and Kent.
Upgrading to a quality aftermarket choke tube tailored for grouse hunting can further improve patterns. Try offerings from names like Patternmaster, Kick’s, or Carlson’s to tighten things up.
Conclusion
Sharptail grouse offer a challenging upland bird hunt for diehard wingshooters. By focusing on their habitat needs, tapping public lands, and finding access to private ground with quality cover, hunters can find success. Scouting to locate active leks and feeding areas is key to pinpointing where the birds want to be in a given area. Legal access, proper preparation, and persistence in the field will eventually be rewarded with opportunities at these iconic game birds.