The prairie grouse population in the Fort Pierre National Grassland has held fairly steady for the past two years.
“Prairie grouse” is an inclusive term for both greater prairie-chickens and sharp-tailed grouse.
Forest Service staff put the total number of birds in 2019 at 413, similar to the 419 found last spring. The number of greater prairie-chickens counted in 2019 was 333, a decrease from the 354 in spring 2018. The number of sharp-tailed grouse counted in 2019 was 80, an increase from the 65 seen last year.
For more information, please call the Fort Pierre Ranger District at 605-224-5517.
