FORT PIERRE, (KCCR) — The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service has completed it’s annual survey of Greater Prairie Chicken and Sharp-tailed Grouse on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands. The survey discovered a total of 878 displaying males which is a 29-percent increase of the count in the spring of 2023. There was not a breakdown between the Prairie Chicken and the Grouse. Both varieties of bird were at record high numbers in the survey. The survey has been conducted since the 1980’s. Officials says great nesting success last year produced this year’s bumper crop of birds. Nesting cover this past winter was reduced due to heavy snow forcing long, dormant grasses to lay down. Conditions are looking good for next year if the weather continues. Spring rains have brought the grasses back and birds are continuing to nest.
