Sharpen Up for Early Sharptails

By dakotaedgeoutdoors on August 23, 2024

Nick Simonson

By Nick Simonson

One of fall's earliest upland seasons is for sharptailed grouse. Humid cool mornings quickly warm into hot and sunny afternoons and finding the birds before things get too hot for dogs (and hunters), is key at the start of the season when sharpies are more readily available and far less wary than they will be even a few weeks into the season. What follows are some important tips for getting the most out of those September hunts through the identification of the habits, habitat and techniques for getting close to these wily birds.

Weather Watch

As an upland bird, and especially one that does just a bit better in more arid portions of their range, sharptailed grouse like to stay dry. In those dewy mornings of mid- to-late-September, right around the opener, hunters often have to get their boots wet trekking through the damp grasses loaded with overnight condensation, while trying to locate grouse to set up a shot. In those spaces where the thicker grass cover fades to sparser spots is where sharpies are often found in the early season on these damper mornings. Hillsides along grassy draws provide a bit more open space to dry off and forage, and any breeze blowing into or against those spaces that makes them even dryer should be played appropriately to set up a good hunt. Make a note that on slightly windier mornings, where dew isn't a factor, grouse can spread out a good deal more and can utilize more space in a hunting area.

Fall too can bring with it some serious shots of late-season rain. A planned trip might not allow for the luxury of bailing on a hunt, and making the most of a hike after a wet stretch comes down to knowing where grouse go to stay dry. Target tree rows that incorporate fir and pine trees with branches low to the ground, or denser planted lines of brushy species like dogwood and caragana that give grouse some protection from the precipitation. Additionally, clumps of heavy buck brush will give natural shelter as well and hitting them as one ascends a hillside or explores a rising draw is a fun game of connect-the-dots on the landscape when searching for early sharptails. When things dry out, target the areas adjacent to this cover, such as grassy fields, forbs, and where allowed or with permission, alfalfa and hayfield edges.

The Setup

Early season sharptailed grouse are often loosely grouped, and young-of-the-year birds are often still eating insects such as grasshoppers and slugs to finish out their feathers as they mature. Don't expect the spooky, mass flushes that the later season will bring. Instead, be prepared for singles and doubles to get up at closer ranges. Utilize the nose of a good dog and watch for signs of birdiness to set up the shot.

Unlike late season, where a sentinel bird can often be seen roosting higher than the rest on a bush, fencepost or hay bale, before taking off and triggering the flush of the surrounding group, early season often has grouse on the ground in hiding amongst the grasses or cover. If one or two flush, there's still a better likelihood in comparison, that others remain nearby so don't worry about sprinting after the departing birds. Rather, reset and pick the next likely place on a hillside or in the habitat where another singleton or pair might be. When sentinel birds start to be more prevalent triggering that mass flush, late season stealth and a bit of follow-up speed may be required.

With the start of grouse season just a few weeks down the road, the opportunities for the fastest upland hunting of fall will quickly be presenting themselves. Capitalize on the habits of these birds in the early season, and know the weather triggers, forage preferences and social aspects that move them around at the start of autumn for the best possible chance at success.

The sharptailed grouse season starts on Sept. 14 in North Dakota and Sept. 21 in South Dakota.