Sharptail in Stearns County

[CaptainMusky]

On my way home from work last night I saw a Sharptail fly across the road 50 feet in front of me and land in the ditch. Kind of crazy, never saw one of them in these neck of the woods.

It was definitely a sharptail, not a young pheasant, hungarian or ruffed grouse. I live near Sartell so I never would have figured seeing one of these birds around.

Anybody else see one around the Southern parts of the state?

[B. Amish]

was it a prairie chicken?

[CaptainMusky]

was it a prairie chicken?

Well, I have never actually seen a prairie chicken, but looking at photos I can say with near 100% certainty it was not a prairie chicken. It was most definitely a sharptail. I suppose it could have been released at a game farm, since there is one about 15 miles away, not sure if they release those birds there, but it is conceivable that it could have been.

[tybo]

Sharptails aren't generally game farm birds. A tell tale sign of a sharp tail is how it flies. Can't remember if chickens fly the same. It will beat it's wings a few times and glide, beat it's wings a few times and glide. In Montana they'll fly for 1/2-1 mile away at times. If it's underside was more white it was a Sharpie, if it was more of a brownish color then chicken.

[Matt Breuer]

It's not very likely that it was released at a farm. All grouse species are very tough to raise, and nearly impossible to buy in bulk.

A chicken looks dang near identical to a sharptail in flight. I've nearly shot many chickens over the years, until I saw noticed the bars on the feathering.

With that being said, you could've seen a sharptail. They were once the 2nd most abundant game bird in Minnesota, and their range covered nearly the entire state. Your area never had huge numbers, but did hold birds here and there. You're only an hour from great sharptail country, so it's possible.

[CaptainMusky]

It will beat it's wings a few times and glide, beat it's wings a few times and glide. If it's underside was more white it was a Sharpie, if it was more of a brownish color then chicken.

That is exactly how it flew and the coloring was spotted not barred like a Prairie Chicken (from the photos I looked at). It was cool to see. I love hunting upland birds and it would be fun if there were some more options. I know in recent years the Huns have been showing up more in the areas I hunt so that is fun. Nothing like 10 or 12 of those things taking flight at one time!

[B. Amish]

neat sighting, let us know if you see more.