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Greater
Prairie Chicken Management
by Gerald
J. Horak and Roger D. Applegate
SUMMARY
In grassland areas, height, density and diversity of
vegetation is extremely important in determining quality
of prairie chicken habitat. Optimum prairie chicken habitat
should consist of the following:
1. A
75% grassland, 25% cropland mix.
2. Large,
moderately grazed pastures providing areas of differential
grazing intensity.
3. Controlled
burning every three to four years to maintain pastures in
a desired habitat condition. This retards invasion of woody
vegetation, removes accumulated residual, and maintains
prairie plant vigor.
4. Booming
grounds (10% of the area) should be overgrazed providing
a turf-like area. Vegetation should not be more than 5 centimeters
(2 inches) tall.
5. Nesting
sites (15% of the area) are associated with tall plants
in pasture areas that are lightly grazed. Preferred vegetation
height 38 centimeters (15 inches).
6. Summer
brood and winter loafing and roosting sites (75% of the
area) should be moderately grazed leaving medium to tall
vegetation.
7. Grain
fields (a minimum of six hectares or 15 acres) of soybeans,
sorghum, or corn will furnish winter feed and provide areas
for hunter harvest. Green winter wheat is also utilized.
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