put hunting forecast

2007 Prairie Grouse Hunting Forecast

The Lower Brule Department of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation have concluded the prairie grouse Lek surveys for 2007.  The numbers of male grouse encountered on lek counts during the spring surveys indicate a decrease in the amount of breeding age birds.  Compared to 2006, these counts were 9% lower for prairie chicken and 28% lower for sharp-tailed grouse.  Compared to the 1984-2006 average, these counts were 15% lower for prairie chickens and 8% higher for sharp-tailed grouse.

That said nesting conditions this summer were considered excellent and will likely have increased brood survival rates significantly.  Prairie grouse numbers on the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation appear to be steadily increasing after the effects of the severe drought period from recent years.  Hunters can expect to find good cover with fair to good numbers of prairie grouse, especially juvenile birds during the upcoming fall hunting season.  

2007 Pheasant Hunting Forecast

From July 15 to August 15, 2007, pheasants were counted on eight routes totaling 151.3 miles.  Four of the eight routes were run under secondary conditions while the other four routes were run under primary conditions.  Over all routes combined, a total of 0.7 broods/mile and 6.3 total pheasants/mile were observed.  The average brood size was 7.2 young/brood.

Compared with the 2006 survey, 2007 broods/mile increased by 49%, total pheasants/mile increased by 47%, and average brood size increased by 6%.  Compared with the twenty-year average (1985-06), 2007 broods/mile was 40% above the average. Average brood size was 13% higher and total pheasants/mile was 66% higher. 

During the 2007 pheasant hunting season hunters can expect to find good cover and good numbers of birds. 

                                    Pheasant (Grassrope)

               Pheasant Package

                            Not Available in 2007