26-03-2025
Annual Iowa DNR Prairie Chicken Day canceled due to declining population
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced on Tuesday that it would be canceling its annual Prairie Chicken Day this year due to declining populations.
During the late 1800s the greater prairie chicken was the most abundant gamebird in Iowa. According to the DNR, hunters would commonly bag 25-50 birds a day and there were even reports of hunters taking in as much as 200 a day. Lawmakers at the time became concerned about the overhunting and implemented limitations and restrictions on hunting, to no avail. The last hunting season for the birds was in 1915, and the last known nesting prairie chickens in the state were recorded in 1952.
Last legs: Down to just 21 birds, Iowa's prairie chicken population fading away
Despite multiple attempts in the 1980s to reintroduce the prairie chicken in locations like the Loess Hills and the Ringgold Wildlife Area, the bird's population continued to decline. Another reintroduction was attempted in the 1990s in Ringgold and the surrounding counties, which successfully established the Kellerton lek, their primary booming ground since then. However, the success was short lived as the prairie chicken's population again slowly declined.
Another attempt was made in the 2000s with the Iowa Management Plan for Greater Prairie Chickens, and while a small population of the bird has returned to Iowa, it too has also declined.
On Tuesday, the DNR announced that this year staff have only seen sporadic use of the main Kellerton lek by a few male prairie chickens, resulting in the cancellation of the annual Prairie Chicken Day event where Iowans would watch the bird's mating dance.
The DNR said it's continuing to survey the birds and would appreciate any sightings be reported to them. Reports can be made on the DNR's website.
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