The Prairie Chicken in Illinois

Abstract

The present report summarizes a study of the biology and management of the greater prairie chicken in Illinois, a study begun in 1935 by members of the Section of Game Research and Management of the Illinois Natural History Survey. The summers of 1935 and 1936 were spent in full-time field work in southeastern Illinois. Since that time, supplemental studies of prairie chicken habits, requirements and distribution have been continued in various parts of the state. Annuallysince 1935, spring and fall censuses have been made on 4 square miles of prairie chicken range in Jasper County used as a study area. The present report includes data on earlv distribution, present range, life history, populations, mortality causes, food habits and management of the prairie chicken in Illinois.