Here is the info for the prairie chicken
Tours for anyone that missed the original
Email.
On Apr 9, 2021,
drwharvey419@xxxxxxxxx
Members,
I would like to share an opportunity offered to LEAS members by Drew
Harvey, LEAS member and past president of LEAS. To LEAS members only,
Drew is offering the trip price for $50.00 if the participant in turn
donates $50.00 to LEAS ($100.00 total). Additionally, he would appreciate
members chipping in for gasoline if possible. Spots for this weekend may
still be available. This is not a LEAS event, but we are happy to spread
the word about this opportunity and thank Drew for his willingness to
donate part of the trip fee to benefit LEAS. Please contact Drew directly
if you have questions or wish to sign up.
Glenda Kelly
President - Llano Estacado Audubon Society
432.349.8288
Lesser Prairie Chicken Trips
Hello,
The Lesser Prairie Chicken Trips for Spring 2021 are underway! I will be
taking groups of no more than 8 at a time out to selected lek(s) on
private property on the following Saturday and Sunday dates below. Trips
will depart from Lubbock, Texas on the dates listed below.
Date: Dpt. Time: Spot Avb:
April 10th 5:00AM 3
April 11th 5:00AM 8
April 17th 4:45AM 6
May 1st 4:45AM 7
May 2nd 4:45AM FULL
May 8th 4:30AM 8
May 9th 4:30AM 8
**May 15th 4:30AM 8
**May 16th 4:30AM 8
** - Possible additional dates if there is interest. These dates are
nearing the end of the Lesser Prairie Chickens leking season. Chickens
will still be on lek, but with reduced leking activity.
If these dates do not work for you, I can potentially do other dates that
work better for you. I wanted to mention that I foresee this being the
last year I offer Lesser Prairie Chicken trips. My wife is finishing her
PhD at Texas Tech this spring, and we are ready to move on from the
Lubbock area. I do not anticipate we will still be in Lubbock in the
spring of 2022. If you know/think of anyone who is interested in seeing
Lesser Prairie Chickens send them my way!
Price:
This year I have lowered the price of the trips to $100.00 per person.
The price covers travel to and from the lek, maintaining good standing
relationship with land owner and providing a living wage for your tour
guides.
How the Lesser Prairie Chicken Trips Work:
**This trip requires an early morning leave time from Lubbock.**
Another tour guide and myself will pick up the tour group (2 to 8
attendees) at a designated location in Lubbock or at specified hotel. The
travel time is between 1:30 and 1:45. We will make a quick bathroom/fast
“breakfast” stop between Lubbock and the lek site.
We will get out to the lek before sunrise so not to disturb the lek. We
will view the birds from the location where we park the vehicles. We will
use the vehicles as a blind so not to disturb the lek. You can either
view from within or outside the vehicle. If outside the vehicle you must
stay between/behind the vehicle.
Protecting this sensitive species
Interested parties that want to view Lesser Prairie Chickens in Texas
must abide by the following rules:
The Lesser Prairie Chicken is listed as a species of concern by both USFW
and TPWD. This species in the last few years has been a political topic
of debate. The majority of biologists that work closely with this species
have recommended the species be relisted with a federal status of
endangered. We will observe this species as though it is federally
endangered. Given the sensitivity of the Lesser Prairie Chicken and not
to disturb the leking sires you must abide by the following:
1. At ANY time I reserve the right to end the tour, bar an individual or
group from attending for inappropriate behavior during the tour.
2. No electronics shall be used unless authorized.
2.1 No GPS, map apps or paper maps of any kind will be allowed
to be used during the tour.
2.2 Cameras are allowed, only if the GPS function is turned off
and remains off during the tour. **some cameras don’t have a GPS function
and are allowed**
2.3 Only photos are allowed to be taken, no video of any kind
unless authorized.
2.4 Photos taken may only be of animals and nature. Refrain
from taking photos with landmarks.
2.5 I have the right to review photos taken while on the tour
so not to reveal the lek location.
3. Before leaving on the tour cell phones of individuals attending the
tour will be turned off, handed over and placed in a location in the
vehicle for the duration of the trip.
3.1 I acknowledge the safety concern of having a phone during the
tour for emergencies.
3.2 I will have a cell phone on during the tour for emergencies.
Anyone may use this cell phone.
3.3 I recommend you give me an emergency contact prior to the
tour.
The priority is to protect and not disturb the Lesser Prairie Chickens. I
do not want our presence to cause these birds to abandon a lek site. If
chickens do abandon a lek it could become abandoned for several years if
not indefinitely. These rules are in place to regulate disturbance of lek
sites by humans. Closer to the scheduled trip, I will send an agreement
form with the with the above guidelines you will need to sign. You can
either email it back to me or hand it to me the morning of.
Protecting Ourselves:
Due to Covid-19, I am requiring everyone to wear masks inside vehicles to
protect everyone as best as possible. Masks must be worn properly,
covering both the mouth and nose with a snug fit. At the lek, when we are
outside of the vehicles, you may elect to wear or not wear your mask. If
you choose to not wear a mask properly you must maintain a distance of at
least six feet from the rest of the group. I understand it sometimes is
difficult to breathe and maintain wearing a mask for an extend period of
time, this is why I am giving an option while outside of the vehicles.
Thank you,
Drew Harvey
--
Drew Harvey
drwharvey419@xxxxxxxxx
281-684-8230
