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Declining population and range of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) throughout their distribution has raised conservation concerns. Conservation efforts are hampered by a lack of baseline ecological data in sand shinnery oak (Quercus harvardii)-grassland communities of New Mexico and Texas. To address these concerns, we investigated male and female survival, nest ecology, and brood-rearing ecology in Texas from 2008-2011. Additionally, we examined these parameters among four combinations of treatments with tebuthiuron (0.60 kg/ha) and a short-duration, rotational-grazing system being used to restore these communities in New Mexico from 2006-2010. Breeding season survival and nest survival on both study areas were consistent with previous lesser prairie-chicken studies. Brood-rearing females used treatment combinations as expected and brood age was the best predictor of brood survival in New Mexico. Data suggests lesser prairie-chickens in our study area exhibit a boom-bust reproductive pattern, with high breeding season survival, below average clutch sizes, few renest attempts, and dynamic nest and brood survival. Brood survival 0-14 days is the primary limiting factor for lesser prairie-chickens in sand shinnery oak-grasslands. The ultimate cause for low chick survival on our study areas is unknown, but unfavorable environmental conditions, desiccation, and predation are likely principal mortality factors. Loss of useable space, particularly brood-rearing habitat, appears to be the primary limiting factor for lesser prairie-chicken populations in these communities. Based on our preliminary results, efforts to improve brood survival 0-14 days post-hatch in sand shinnery oak-grassland communities would have the most beneficial effects.