Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Description: Sharp-tailed grouse are mottled and speckled white, brown, tan, and black, and are lighter on the belly. On the chest, darker feathers look like scales. The rear is white with two tall, dark center feathers. The legs and feet are feathered all the way down to the toes. The males have purplish neck sacs which inflate during courtship and prominent yellow combs over the eyes. The females resemble hen pheasants and have less prominent combs. The males are slightly larger than females. Average size: 16-19 inches. Average weight: 1 ¾-2 ¼ pounds.

Science: Sharp-tailed grouse are found in prairie grass mixed with wooded areas, cultivated agricultural fields, and shelterbelts throughout the Great Plains states, the prairies of Canada, and central Alaska. These strong fliers move seasonally up to 25 miles between open grassy areas for nesting to areas with denser woods for winter. They eat small grains, clover, dandelions, wild grasses, seeds, and insects, and live in large packs which are sometimes a hundred birds or more strong. Their population is slightly declining due to farming and development.

Hunting: They’re best hunted with a wide-ranging pointed dog. They become wary later in the season and form large packs. The eating quality is good: the meat is dark, but fairly mild.