The effects of season-long grazing, short duration and twice-over deferred rotation grazing systems, and idle non-use areas on upland nesting birds were evaluated from the results of nesting studies,breeding bird surveys, and visual obstruction readings of vegetative cover. Higher nesting densities of upland nesting birds were found in the undisturbed vegetation of idled areas, the ungrazed areas of season-long grazing treatments, and on the pastures or cells of grazing systems where grazing was deferred until later in the nesting season.This strong relationship between higher nest densities and undisturbed cover was clearly related to the presence of nesting cover, residual or new growth, of sufficient height and density to attract nesting hens.Dense nesting cover with low levels of disturbance were safer nest sites. Findings suggest that well-managed grazing practices and grazing systems, employing pasture deferments, may be beneficial to upland nesting birds if implemented on a.