Gaines County Farmers Work To Keep Lesser Prairie Chicken Off Endangered List

Russell Martin, a natural resource specialist for Texas Parks and Wildlife, says the Fish and Wildlife Agency is looking to see if the bird needs to be put on the endangered species list.

"They're currently in the process of proposing a rule on whether it would be listed as threatened and endangered, or de-listed completely," said Martin.

Martin says just like everyone else in Gaines county Texas Parks and Wildlife does not want to see the chicken placed on the list.

He held a discussion with more than a dozen farmers from Gaines County, looking at ways of preserving the bird's habitat.

"The program is trying to show the good conservation efforts that are already going on to further the Prairie Chicken habitat, and maintain Prairie Chicken habitat," stated Martin.

Big2 talked with a bunch of these farmers who did not want to go on camera.

One of them said he used to see the chicken on his land back in the 70's but hasn't in several years.

Martin says there hasn't been a bird sighting in Gaines County since 2006, but that doesn't mean this area is off the hook.

If the farmers are able to prove that the birds are still inhabiting Gaines County then there's a better chance it will be kept off the list.

"Hopefully after this meeting some of the land owners will be willing to work with me to develop management plans, specifically for their ranch, and for the Prairie Chicken," said Martin. "And we will be able to use the information to hopefully prevent a listing."

An actual decision on the Lesser Prairie Chicken won't be made until this fall.

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