Guided Viewing of Prairie Chickens at Dunn Ranch Preserve

Prairie Chicken © Gary Ingraham

Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and The Nature Conservancy

Missouri Department of Conservation will begin taking reservations February 1, 2007.

Date:
March 14 to April 28, 2007

Time:
Approximately one hour and 15 minutes before sunrise. Viewing will last a minimum of two hours

Overview:
This is the seasonal opportunity to view the unusual and colorful spring courtship of prairie chickens from a viewing blind with a guide at Dunn Ranch, west of Eagleville, from March 14 until April 28,
except Sundays and select other days.  

Guide:
Missouri Department of Conservation staff.

Registration/Fee:
This event is free. Reservations are required.

1. Only 8 viewing spots are available/day (depending on the mix of adults and children) and we cannot accommodate guests who do not register in advance.
2. Departure from the parking lot to the viewing blind will be approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes before sunrise. You will walk in a group. This allows time to get to the blind before the prairie chickens arrive on the “booming grounds”.  
3. It is a one half mile walk uphill to the viewing blind.  There is a vertical rise of about 100 feet over this half mile distance.
4. Participants should expect to be in the viewing blind a minimum of two hours. There are no restroom facilities at Dunn Ranch. The closest facility is at the service stations at the intersection of I-35 and Hwy. N in Eagleville.
5. The property is owned by The Nature Conservancy.  Use of the viewing blind is by reservation only. To minimize disturbance to the prairie chickens, visiting the booming grounds/blind without a guide is not allowed; late arrivals may not come to the viewing blind on their own. 
6. Lightning will prohibit viewing. This may be an on site call by the guide on the day you arrive.

For more information or to register, call the Missouri Dept. of Conservation Northwest Regional Office at 816-271-3100 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please contact us at least one week (preferably sooner) before your planned viewing date.  Additional details will be supplied.

Viewing Location:
To reach Dunn Ranch from Interstate 35 at Eagleville, Mo. (near the Iowa line), go west on Hwy. N about ½ mile to Hwy. 69 in Eagleville. Turn right (north) on Hwy. 69 and go about 1/4 mile to Hwy. M. Turn left (west) on Hwy. M and go about 5.75 miles to the parking lot on your right (north) across from 170th Avenue, which is 1 mile past 180th Avenue on Hwy. M.  There is a Dunn Ranch Viewing sign in the parking lot. It is 6.5 miles from the intersection of I-35 & Hwy. N to the Dunn Ranch parking lot.

Click here to get a map (PDF, 151Kb) showing directions to Dunn Ranch.

What to Bring:

1. A flashlight - we will hike uphill ½ mile to the blind in the dark (vertical rise is about 100 feet over this ½ mile distance);
2. Appropriate footwear. The path is mowed grass through a field - the grass is usually dewy or wet so wear sturdy appropriate shoes;
3. Warm clothing  - dress in layers as weather is unpredictable this time of year. (Viewing blind is made of canvas and is enclosed with open viewing windows.  Morning temperatures this time of the year typically range anywhere from 20 to 55 degrees though it was 6 degrees for one morning in 2001). People tend to underestimate how rapidly they lose their heat sitting still in the morning cold.  A hat or a layer can be removed or an outer layer unzipped to cool down if need be. People lose about 50% of their body heat through their head and neck. A warm blanket for an extra layer of warmth, if needed, might be helfpul;
4. Rain gear. The blind is enclosed, but we'll be walking into it;
5. Snacks and drinks. Keep in mind, we'll be in the blind for two hours without bathroom facilities.

OPTIONAL:  Binoculars, camera, (no equipment may stick outside of the viewing window and no flash photography is allowed).

Remember
This is by reservation only. If you are unable to keep your reservation, please call so that someone else may take your place. For cancellations:  Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. please contact the Missouri Department of Conservation at (816) 271-3100. If you need to cancel after these times please contact:  Debbie Cundiff or Tom Nagel at (816) 271-3100. As an alternative contact: Dave Hoover at the Albany office at (660) 726-3746.

The viewing blind is located in Harrison County. Check the weather for that area the day before (Eagleville and Bethany, Mo., and Lamoni, Iowa, are nearby towns). No matter the weather, the viewing will go as scheduled. Only lightning will prohibit viewing and that is decided on-site.

Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and The Nature Conservancy