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Sharp-tailed Grouse Tours at Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

Sharp-tailed Grouse lek tours support habitat improvement for prairie grouse at Audubon of Kansas’ largest and most pristine wildlife sanctuary.  

No birdwatcher should miss seeing this yearly ritual unfold as males fight among themselves and display to females.  Lodging is also available. 

2024 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

What to Expect

You will view Sharp-tailed Grouse from a popup blind (Ameristep Magnum Caretaker). These large blinds comfortably fit four people and one smaller tripod. Two participants will be in front near the viewing window, and two behind them.  Each person will receive a chair and about 30 inches x 30 inches of space.  Participants will be encouraged to switch positions (front/back) at least once during the morning of observation. Blinds are placed 100-200 feet from the grouse.  The opening will face west to allow for optimal photography (sunrise behind blind) and to prevent sun from shining in the blind.

Attention photographers: Photographers who have large tripods and lenses are encouraged to reserve at least two spaces or ‘seats’ in the blind. Buying two spaces yields a photographer 30 inches x 60 inches of space and they can comfortably photograph half the lek. Buying three spaces means that one person may be sharing the blind with the photographer. Buying four spaces reserves the entire blind for the photographer and allows them to comfortably photograph the entire lek.  Buying four spaces also gives the photographer the option of using their own blind. To buy additional spaces, select ‘add guest’ during checkout and write ‘camera’ as first and last name.  

Participants should be able to tolerate sitting still in cold temperatures without access to a bathroom for 4 hours or more. Participants must be 12 years old or older. Participants must be able to walk up to a half mile in the dark over uneven terrain. We also offer accommodations for those with mobility issues. Please contact jackie@audubonofkansas.org so we can be prepared to give you a wonderful experience. 

Schedule

You should be prepared to leave the Hutton House headquarters 1.5 hours before sunrise. Visitors more than 10 min late will miss their tour, and payment will not be refunded. The only restroom facility is at the Hutton House, and is available for use before departing. A guide will drive you to the lek (about a 30 min drive) and set up the blind (about 15 min). You will be in the blind 45 min before sunrise. Birds arrive 30 min before sunrise.  To avoid disturbance to the birds, you will remain the blind until they depart – typically 3 hours after sunrise. A guide will then bring you back to the Hutton House headquarters.

Tours are offered from mid-March through early May, generally Thursdays through Mondays. See Registration for availability. Mating activity peaks in mid-April. 

Pricing

$100 gives you guided transportation to and from the blind, a chair and space in the blind for viewing, and unforgettable memories. Photographers, who need more space in the blind, should purchase additional space to accommodate their tripods and equipment. For more information, read HERE. Lodging is available on site and pricing varies with the size of the room and whether the room has a private or shared bathroom.  

What to Bring 

It is incredibly cold sitting in a blind for 4 hours at sunrise, the coldest part of the day. In March, average lows are in the 20s Fahrenheit. Given that this is the average, it could feel much colder, especially if the wind is entering through the open window!! In April, average lows are in the 30s and May brings lows in the 40s. Even if you are used to birding at 30 degrees (or colder), it feels much colder in the blind because you are not moving. We recommend that you wear at least 3 layers (long underwear or leggings, pants, and snow pants or coveralls, for example). Pay particular attention to footwear, gloves, hats, and scarves to cover your nose and mouth. You may also want to bring a blanket to wrap around yourself or parts of you that get cold during the morning. 

As you do not have much room in the blind, we encourage you to NOT bring backpacks.  Instead, put your camera phone and snacks in your coat pockets. Carry a bottle of water. Wear your binoculars around your neck. You can leave your backpack in the vehicle.

Lodging Options 

We encourage you to stay at our facility the night before your reservation. So, if you schedule a tour on April 7, request lodging to arrive April 6 and depart April 7. Check in is 3pm, and check out is noon. Additional nights lodging might be available.  You will have the option of requesting a room at the same time that you are making a tour reservation.  You will be contacted within 3 business days to finalize room availability. 

If you would like to stay at a traditional hotel, these are the closest options:

Hutton House on the Sanctuary

Our 'Hutton House' (HH) is a large, updated house located on the sanctuary and includes 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms in an updated house.  You would be renting rooms in that house with most rooms having shared bathrooms. Lodging includes access to the entire house including full kitchen, dining, and living rooms. HH has wifi, but no pets are allowed. During the reservation process, you will have the option of specifying which of the following rooms you would like to reserve. Again, you are supporting habitat conservation for prairie grouse by staying at our facility. This is also the location where tours will meet. Prices below are PER ROOM, not per person. 

The Hutton House is located at 88923 453rd Ave Bassett, NE 68714

Room 1 - HH Main Floor - Full bed - no stairs to bedroom; 3 steps up to kitchen and shared bath; $125/night
Room 2 - HH North - Queen bed; one flight of stairs up - only room with a private bath; $150/night
Room 3 - HH East - Two twin beds; one flight of stairs up; $125/night
Room 4 - HH Southwest - Two twin beds; one flight of stairs up; $125/night
Room 5 - HH Southeast - Two beds - one full, two twins; one flight of stairs up; $125/night

REGISTER NOW!

Questions?

Contact Ellen for registration questions: 
Phone: 316-247-1043
Email: ellen@audubonofkansas.org

Contact Amy for other questions:
Phone: 402-382-5538
Email: amy@audubonofkansas.org