Sharptail grouse are a popular game bird for hunters across many northern states. Their speed and erratic flight patterns make them a challenging target, and their excellent meat is a tasty reward. For hunters looking to bag some sharptails, several states stand out as top destinations.
Why Do Hunters Value Sharptail Grouse?
There are several reasons sharptail grouse are prized by hunters:
- They are found across a wide region – Sharptails live in brushy, open habitat across much of Canada and the northern U.S. This gives hunters many options for places to find them.
- They are a sporting target – Sharptails explode into flight when startled. They fly on fast, irregular paths that test a hunter’s skill.
- Their meat is delicious – Many hunters consider sharptail the tastiest upland game bird. They are flavorful when roasted or made into stews.
- Their numbers are solid – Conservation efforts have maintained healthy sharptail populations, ensuring abundant hunting opportunities.
These qualities make sharptail grouse a popular game bird that provides an exciting hunt and excellent table fare. Hunting pressure varies by state based on the number of sharptails and hunter access to good habitat.
Best States for Hunting Sharptail Grouse
When considering the top destinations for hunting sharptails, a few key factors stand out:
- Healthy sharptail populations – States where sharptails are abundant provide more opportunities to find and harvest birds.
- Extensive public hunting land – Public land access is critical for hunters to gain entry to prime sharptail habitat like brushy plains and young forest.
- Good habitat management – States that actively manage land to enhance brush and thickets typically have thriving sharptail numbers.
- Hunting access programs – Programs that open private land to public hunting improve hunter access and funneled hunting pressure.
Taking these criteria into account, here are five of the top states for sharptail grouse hunting:
Montana
Montana has highly regarded sharptail hunting across expansive native prairies in the eastern half of the state. Hunter numbers are moderate, and access is enhanced by Block Management agreements enrolling nearly 700,000 acres of private land. State wildlife areas also offer excellent sharptail opportunities. The daily limit is 3 sharptails.
South Dakota
South Dakota offers a premier sharptail destination with its abundant public land in the northwestern part of the state. The Buffalo Gap National Grassland and numerous state Game Production Areas provide excellent brush habitat holding plentiful sharptails. South Dakota’s daily limit is 3 birds.
North Dakota
Offering vast public grasslands and healthy prairie grouse populations, North Dakota is a top pick for sharptail hunters. The north central and southwest regions harbor the highest densities, and popular hunting areas include Towner State Game Management Area and Willow and Snake Creek National Wildlife Refuges. The limit is 3 sharptails per day.
Minnesota
With its expansive public lands across north central and northwest Minnesota, this state offers excellent habitat for sharptails. The network of Wildlife Management Areas and Waterfowl Production Areas offer access to prime coverts. Daily limits range from 1-6 birds depending on status of local populations.
Kansas
In Kansas, the northwest and north central regions provide the strongest sharptail hunting on prairie landscapes and CRP grasslands. Public lands offering access include Glen Elder State Park, Webster Wildlife Area, and Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge. The daily limit is 2 sharptails.
Other Notable States
Beyond the top tier, several other states offer locally productive sharptail hunting:
- Idaho – Decent hunting for Columbian sharptails in open sagebrush and grassland habitats.
- Wyoming – Sparse but huntable sharptail populations in the eastern plains.
- Colorado – Limited localized opportunities for Columbian sharptails in the northwest corner.
- Nebraska – Fair numbers along the Niobrara River valley and Sandhills region.
While these states don’t match the prime destinations, they can still provide enjoyable hunts on the right public land units or private ranches.
Where To Hunt Sharptails On Public Land
Since access to good habitat is key, focusing on public lands in top sharptail states is smart hunting strategy. Here are some of the best public land areas:
Montana
- Missouri River Breaks National Monument – Rugged plains with dense brush.
- Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge – Prairie uplands and draws.
- Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge – Shortgrass prairie with wetlands.
South Dakota
- Buffalo Gap National Grassland – 643,000 acres of excellent sharptail range.
- Fort Pierre National Grassland – 115,000 acre prairie grassland.
- Grand River National Grassland – Prairie pothole country.
North Dakota
- Little Missouri National Grassland – 1 million acre sharptail stronghold.
- Sheyenne National Grassland – Open rolling plains habitat.
- Towner State Game Management Area – Top regional hotspot.
Minnesota
- Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge – 61,500 acres with brushy fields.
- Rydell National Wildlife Refuge – Prairie potholes and thickets.
- Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area – 187,232 acres, a hunter favorite.
Kansas
- Smoky Valley Ranch State Park – 7,400 acre native prairie.
- Cimarron National Grassland – 108,175 acres of prime habitat.
- Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge – Wet prairie and CRP grasslands.
With season dates, limits, and licensing requirements varying between states, be sure research regulations before planning your sharptail hunt.
Tips For Hunting Sharptails
Finding success when pursuing sharptails requires careful planning and hunting strategies tailored to these birds’ behavior:
- Focus on brush – Look for habitat with thick brush and scattered openings, which sharptails use for feeding and nesting.
- Spot and stalk – Hike into areas of good cover while watching ahead for birds. Pause to scan openings and listen for calls.
- Use a dog – A flushing dog is extremely helpful for covering ground thoroughly and finding birds hidden in brush.
- Employ a waterfowl approach – Tactics like decoy spreads and blinds work well for bringing sharptails into shooting range.
- Hunt during peaks – Early morning is best, with mid-late morning sometimes productive. Most birds head for cover by early afternoon.
Following these strategies will help hunters enjoy success in the field. With smart preparation and persistence through long hikes in promising habitat, a dedicated sharptail hunter can consistently tag their bag limits.
Conclusion
For hunters seeking the ultimate sharptail challenge, the top states to focus on are Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Kansas. These states offer abundant sharptail populations, plenty of public land holdings, and active habitat management that maintains excellent cover. Prioritizing the premier public hunting areas and employing smart hunting strategies will lead to fruitful hunts. No upland bird gets the heart pumping like an explosive sharptail flush, and hunters across the northern U.S. eagerly await each autumn’s opportunity to match wits with these challenging gamebirds.