Rick Lickteig wears prairie chicken feathers on his cap, one of several traditions on the annual opening day hunt at the Sundgren Ranch in Butler County. Many of the hunters have shared the event for more than 25 years.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Hunters visit along a fence line on Saturday's opening of prairie chicken season in Butler County.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Several decades ago hunters from all over Kansas and other states gathered in the Flint Hills for the opening of prairie chicken season. The Sundgren Ranch, south of Cassoday, is one of the few places that continues the tradition.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Three of about 25 hunters leave the field after hunting prairie chickens Saturday morning on the Sundgren Ranch, where hunters have gathered to open the season for nearly 60 years.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Chris Peterson, left, talks of past prairie chicken hunts with his father, Kent, Saturday morning.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Some of the vehicles gathered for breakfast at the Sundgren Ranch in Butler County for the opening of prairie chicken season.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Mark Kennedy left De Soto at 3 a.m. to be at the Sundgren Ranch for the opening day of prairie chicken season. He's been coming to the annual hunt for about 25 years. Saturday was only the second time he didn't get at least one bird.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Kent Peterson, of El Dorado, rests while he waits for prairie chickens on the Sundgren Ranch Saturday morning. Some hunters have been gathering at the ranch to hunt on opening day for more than 50 years.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Mark Kennedy, left, shakes hands with Steve Sundgren at their annual prairie chicken hunt. Kennedy said getting to see longtime friends is a main reason why he comes to the event in Butler County.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Kent Peterson, of El Dorado, rests while he waits for prairie chickens on the Sundgren Ranch Saturday morning. Some hunters have been gathering at the ranch to hunt on opening day for more than 50 years.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Hunters leave the field Saturday morning. For about 60 years up to 70 hunters have gathered at the Sundgren Ranch to open prairie chicken season.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Kent Peterson, of El Dorado, rests while he waits for prairie chickens on the Sundgren Ranch Saturday morning. Some hunters have been gathering at the ranch to hunt on opening day for more than 50 years.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Hunters leave the field Saturday morning. For about 60 years up to 70 hunters have gathered at the Sundgren Ranch to open prairie chicken season.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Drake Stoudenmyer, of Bucyrus, was the only hunter to shoot a prairie chicken Saturday morning on an annual hunt that's spanned nearly 60 years. Prairie chicken numbers appear to be up this year in the Flint Hills, though few birds flew Saturday morning.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Hunters gather to talk with rancher Steve Sundgren after hunting prairie chickens Saturday morning. The Sundgren family has hosted annual opening day prairie chicken hunts on their Butler County ranch for about 60 years.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
Hunters gather to talk with rancher Steve Sundgren after hunting prairie chickens Saturday morning. The Sundgren family has hosted annual opening day prairie chicken hunts on their Butler County ranch for about 60 years.
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Michael Pearce / The Wichita Eagle
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