Hunting Sharp-tailed Grouse in the Great Plains

Hunting Sharp-Tailed Grouse in the Great Plains: A Complete Guide

Sharp-tailed grouse—“sharpies”—are one of the most iconic upland game birds of the Great Plains. Found across rolling prairie, native grasslands, sagebrush flats, and patchwork agricultural landscapes, they offer exciting, high-visibility hunts and hard-flying flushes. Sharptails behave differently from pheasants or ruffed grouse, and success means understanding their open-country habits, using the right dogs, and adapting your tactics to wind, weather, and cover height.

This upgraded guide covers everything you need: optimal habitat, effective walk-up strategies, dog handling, gear recommendations, and seasonal considerations. If you’re exploring guided sharp-tailed grouse hunts or comparing upland outfitters in the Dakotas, Montana, or Nebraska, browse options through Find A Hunt.

Understanding Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat

Sharptails prefer expansive, open landscapes with mixed cover. Instead of tight, brushy habitat like ruffed grouse, they thrive in transitional zones.

Key Habitat Types:

• Native prairie grasses and mixed-grasslands

• Shrublands with snowberry, chokecherry, or willow pockets

• Rolling sagebrush and sandhills

• CRP fields and grassy draws

• Recently burned areas or young regrowth zones

• Agricultural edges bordering native grass

Seasonal Habitat Shifts

• Early season: Taller grass and mixed shrubs

• Mid-season: Grasslands with scattered brush pockets

• Late season: Windbreaks, woody draws, and south-facing slopes

Sharptails typically hold in lighter cover than pheasants and often walk or flush as a group.

Behavior Traits That Shape Your Hunt

Sharp-tailed grouse behave differently than other upland species:

• Flush in coveys early season; often singles later after initial shot

• Run readily before flushing

• Respond well to dogs but may flush wild on windy days

• Prefer edges between grass and scattered shrubs

• Fly fast and long, often gliding downhill or with the wind

Understanding these tendencies helps you make smarter approaches in open ground.

Essential Gear for Sharp-Tailed Grouse Hunting

Shotguns

Sharptails flush farther than pheasants but closer than prairie chickens.
Recommended:

• 20- or 12-gauge

• Chokes: Improved Cylinder early, Modified later

• Light, fast-handling guns for long walks

Ammunition

• Early season: #7½ or #6

• Mid/late season: #6 or #5 for longer shots

Clothing & Boots

• Lightweight, breathable upland pants

• Quality boots suitable for long prairie walks

• Layers for unpredictable Great Plains weather

• Blaze orange vest or hat

Extras

• Hydration pack (long distances, little shade)

• GPS or dog-tracking collar

• Lightweight gloves

• Binoculars to spot birds or covey rises

• Game vest with good ventilation

Hunting Sharp-Tailed Grouse With Dogs

Both pointing and flushing dogs excel on sharptails with proper handling.

Pointing Dogs

Excellent for covering big country and pinning birds that hold.

• Keep dogs ranging moderately (200–400 yards is common on prairie)

• Use GPS collars for locating long points

• Train dogs to relocate slowly—birds can move

Flushing Dogs

Best in thicker cover pockets or shrub rows.

• Stay close to your dog

• Expect birds to flush at medium distances

• Great for pushing birds holding near berry patches or draws

Dog Tips

• Water dogs frequently—prairie heat is deceptive

• Hunt crosswind for scent advantage

• Don’t over-pressure coveys; give repositioned birds time to settle

Walk-Up & No-Dog Hunting Techniques

You can hunt sharptails effectively without a dog by using smart strategy.

Key Methods

• Hunt edges and transitions—grass meeting shrubs or rolling contours

• Use quiet, steady walking patterns

• Pause often—sharptails may flush when you stop

• Watch ridgelines and high points for birds moving ahead

• Target berry-laden shrubs during late summer and early fall

Late-season sharptails often flush farther, so positioning and patience matter.

Proven Sharp-Tailed Grouse Hunting Strategies

1. Work Into the Wind

Sharptails often hold tighter and rise closer when approached from upwind.

2. Focus on Food Sources

Depending on the time of year:

• Berries (snowberry, chokecherry)

• Grasshoppers and insects

• Waste grain near ag fields

• Buds and browse in late fall

3. Slow Down in the Good Stuff

Sharptails hold tight in:

• Shrubby pockets

• Willow draws

• Plum thickets

• Damp lowlands

4. Expect Multiple Flushes

Covey rises are exciting, but stay ready—singles may flush behind or beside you moments later.

5. Hunt Early or Late in the Day

Birds feed more actively and hold tighter at cooler hours.

Shooting Techniques for Sharptails

Sharptails are fast, long-gliding birds.

• Maintain swing—do NOT stop your gun

• Focus on one bird, not the covey

• Take shots inside 35–40 yards when possible

• Lead more on windy days—prairie gusts carry birds quickly

Practice crossing targets before your hunt.

Field Care & Cooking

Sharptails make excellent table fare, especially early in the season.

Field Care

• Cool birds quickly

• Keep out of direct sunlight

• Remove guts if temperatures rise

Cooking Ideas

• Pan-seared breasts with wild berry sauce

• Grouse stir fry or fajitas

• Roasted whole sharptail

• Grouse pot pie or dumpling soup

Sharptails have mild flavor—but late-season birds can benefit from brining.

Safety on the Prairie

• Be aware of long shooting distances—verify backstops

• Maintain safe spacing in wide-open fields

• Track dog positions carefully when hunting with pointers

• Watch for rattlesnakes early season in some regions

• Hydrate regularly—prairie hunts cover miles

FAQs: Sharp-Tailed Grouse Hunting

Do sharptails hold better than prairie chickens?

Generally yes—sharptails hold more consistently but still flush wild on windy days.

What time of day is best?

Early morning and late afternoon when birds feed and temperatures drop.

Do sharptails prefer big groups or singles?

Early-season coveys are common; late season often produces singles and pairs.

Can you hunt sharptails and pheasants together?

Yes—many states allow mixed-bag upland hunts in overlapping habitat.

Are sharptails good to eat?

Absolutely—mild, slightly sweet flavor, especially early in the year.

Plan Your Next Sharptail Hunt

Sharptail hunting is classic Great Plains adventure—wide-open landscapes, big coveys, and rewarding dog work. With the right gear, habitat knowledge, and hunting technique, you can enjoy consistent action all season long.

If you're ready to explore upland destinations or compare guided hunts across Montana, the Dakotas, Wyoming, or Nebraska, start browsing vetted outfitters through our hunt marketplace today.