Montana has so much to offer hunters that certain wild game populations are, for the most part, neglected by most of us.

Such is the case with grouse in the central part of the state. Sharp-tailed, blue, ruffed, and sage grouse all receive far less attention and hunting pressure than ring-necked pheasant or even Hungarian partridge. Both of those species are considered to be far more sporting by many upland bird hunters, particularly the Hun which bursts into the air and has a tendency to buzz around the hunter like an angry wasp.

According to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Helena, while no exact breakdown of hunter preference is available, the number of individuals hunting pheasants is believed to be much greater than those who seek all species of grouse combined.

Each species of grouse has its own attractions--from the wide-open-ridgeline hunting for blues to the aspen groves associated with the ruffed grouse to the tough, arid sage flats of the sage grouse. The habitats of all species tend to overlap somewhat; on the edges of wooded regions preferred by ruffed grouse, one may also find sharps on occasion.

But of all these, I prefer working for sharptails. They get up quickly with a rapid beating of their wings and attain a flight speed of over 40 miles an hour in what seems an instant. So, even though their flight is relatively straight, quick reflexes are required to be successful. There are good numbers of them in the central part of Montana, and the country you walk looking for them is magnificent, especially on cool mornings when clear blue skies wander off forever and the peaks of isolated mountain ranges such as the Crazies, Little Belts, and Big Snowy define the horizon.

ANOTHER PLUS TO THIS HUNTING is there is a good deal of public land to work, and because of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a sizable portion of private land is also open to the bird hunter who does not wish to pay for a guide. CRP is a program that encourages a farmer or rancher to return segments of his property back to native grasses. This has created hundreds of thousands of acres of habitat for upland birds and, while the subject is of some debate in the West, CRP appears to have positive effects on upland populations.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to the grouse hunter concerning CRP is the fact that even in November when much of the growth has been knocked down by frost, finding the birds in this abundant cover is tough, even with a dog. But once found, there is plenty of sport.

For example, one warm afternoon we trudged up one thick, thorny, and brushy draw after another working the foothills country east of the Big Horn Mountain near Harding. Not a bird was kicked up and it was beginning to look as though nothing was doing when suddenly several dozen sharps burst from the thickest cover we'd come upon.

A number of birds were dropped in that first burst of surprised gunfire. These were retrieved. We walked a couple of hundred yards uphill to a splotch of cover where we'd marked the grouse's landing, jumped them again, and limited out. It was just that simple, after a few miles of very hot, dry walking.

Sharptails prefer areas that offer thick, shady cover as shelter from the sun and wind and as protection from avian predators. Add even the barest hint of moisture and you have designer grouse cover. The grouse feed extensively on both wild fruits (which are usually found in the brushy habitat) and on grains from nearby fields (including such staples as volunteer wheat).

They have also been known to munch on pine nuts, but the birds are rarely found more than a hundred yards deep in pine forest. They much prefer working the edges of fields and using draws and coulees for both protection and travel. When you are working unfamiliar territory, hunt these areas first and then any isolated pockets of brush lying in open fields.

STALKING THESE POCKETS, especially with a pointer, can be exciting, almost nerve-racking sport as you approach each location. You never know if it is barren or if a bunch of sharptails are going to pop out with a beating of wings and a chorus of clucks. A dog is a nice asset in this type of hunting, but even two hunters without canine assistance can have a successful day afield if they work slowly and thoroughly.

Somewhat similar to ruffed grouse in appearance, sharp-tailed grouse are from 15 to 20 inches long with a sharp (surprise!), pointed tail measuring about 6 inches. Males average a little less than two pounds and the females are around 1 1/2 pounds. They are a mottled, dusty brown in color with white spotting on the wings. The pattern of the dark markings of the breast is V-shaped. The feathers on top of the head are erect. There is a yellowish-orange bare space (called the comb) above each eye. The neck sacs of the male are reddish-violet to purple and are well-hidden by white feathers when not in display.

Early in the fall flocks of sharp-tailed grouse number 10 to 35 birds, but by mid-November, finding 50, 100, or even more sharps bunched together is not uncommon in this part of Montana. The grouse do not usually concentrate their feeding efforts in one location, but instead will work over an area then amble 100 yards or so to another choice spot. In the heat of the day they will retreat to sheltered loafing grounds until the sun lowers in late afternoon. Then they will resume feeding.

On another day we worked the badlands near the Wyoming border. Blasted rock formations and clumps of cactus gave way grudgingly to fields of hay and alfalfa that were veined with drainages of waist-high grass on the flanks with some trees and thick brush in the cut. Thorns were everywhere. During late afternoon we jumped a number of birds in the cover at the edges of these fields.

Tracking grouse up from this cover and across a skyline of this inhospitable terrain provided an interesting view. It is difficult to believe there are so many birds in country that looks so lifeless to the passing motorist, but the birds are here--in good, unhunted numbers.

Later that day we found a large flock feeding in a pasture bordered by Ponderosa pine. When the grouse spotted us, they took to the air. Instead of fleeing for cover they flew directly at us, providing some curious, overhead sport.

EQUIPMENT FOR THIS HUNTING is straightforward. Either a 12- or 20-gauge shotgun with No. 6s or 7s works fine, and you don't need a full choke. The birds are not difficult to knock down.

You'll also need a good pair of boots that can resist the advances of the cactus you'll surely walk through. And you may cross a rattlesnake or two out here, but they are usually long gone by November.

The season on Montana's sharp-tailed grouse runs through the middle of December. The daily limit is four birds and possession limits are four times the daily limit. Licenses are $8 for Montana residents and $55 for non-residents.

A good source of information concerning private land access is Doug Daniels' Montmaps which show all land holdings over 160 acres, complete with owners' names, addresses, and phone numbers. He has only completed about a half-dozen maps for the central part of the state, but they are a great tool for anyone unfamiliar with the area. They cost $6 plus $1 for shipping and are available from Montmaps, Box 869, Belgrade, MT 59714. I would suggest calling Daniels at (406)388-1001 first to see what maps are currently in print.

If you are interested in hiring an outfitter, two that come to mind are: Yellowater Outfitters, Roy G. Olsen, Box 836, Grassrange, MT 59032; telephone: (406)428-2195; and Two Leggins Outfitters, David Schaff, Star Route, Harding, MT 59034; telephone: (406)665-2825.

And for a complete listing of guides, outfitters, and places to camp in the state, write: Travel Montana, 1424 9th Avenue, Helena, MT 59620; telephone: (800)541-1447 (out-of-state only) and ask for the 1990 Montana Travel Planner and a state highway map.