Vol. 22, No. 9 
Page 3 
Responses of Prairie Chickens to Habitat Manipulation 
R. L. Westemeier, 
D. R. Vance 
Measurements of vegetative structure (height and density) on sanctuary 
grasslands (MWRL 19:10 and 21:2) were taken again this past spring. Unfortunately, 
prolonged heavy snow cover prevented taking such measurements before the last 
week of March. To avoid disturbance of nesting prairie chickens, we do not 
sample the nest cover after the first week of April. Therefore, we only had 
time to sample those fields on the Yeatter sanctuary. 
In 1978, cover in fields containing more than one prairie chicken nest 
had a lower mean maximum height (MMH) than either fields with one nest or 
fields with no nests. In 1976 and 1977, fields with more than one nest had 
a higher cover ■* 
in previous 
percent) tha 
percent). 
er MMH than fields with one or no nests (MWRL 21:2). However, 
years, fields with more than one nest had a higher density (16. 
n fields with only one nest ( 15 **+ percent) or no nests (12.5 
as 
3 
Observations this year indicate that density of vegetation is more 
important than height in determining placement of nests by prairie chickens. 
Normally, height and density of grasses are directly related. However, the 
heavy.snow cover may have flattened the preferred grass cover thus both 
reducing its height and increasing its density at lower heights. Of the 15 
nests found on the Yeatter sanctuary in 1978, 14 were in undisturbed cover. 
Undisturbed cover, while providing greater height and density, is more apt to 
lodge as a result of snow than cover that has been mowed. 
3 
