BirdHuntSooty (Blue) & Ruffed Grouse
- Sep 12 – Oct 12, 2026
Grouse (one species or mixed)2 daily6 poss.
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Upland birds 2026-27
California upland hunting
California quail · Mountain quail · Gambel's quail · Chukar · Pheasant · Sooty grouse · Ruffed grouse · White-tailed ptarmigan
Open now
1
Quail (Zone Q2)
Pheasant
3 a day
Opens Nov 14
Species
8
California quail, Mountain quail, Gambel's quail…
How nonresidents hunt upland birds in California
Nonresidents buy the nonresident hunting license (annual or 2-day) and the upland game bird validation over the counter. California is best known for quail and chukar on public land in the desert and foothills. Sage grouse is closed in 2026 (no permits).
Quail Sept. 26 - Jan. 31 (Zone Q2) or Oct. 17 - Jan. 31 (Q1 and Q3; mountain quail in Q1 from Sept. 12); chukar Oct. 17 - Jan. 31; pheasant Nov. 14 - Dec. 27; grouse Sept. 12 - Oct. 12; ptarmigan Sept. 12-20.
Season calendar
SepOctNovDecJan
Sooty (Blue) & Ruffed Grouse
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Quail (Zone Q2)
Quail (Zone Q1)
Quail (Zone Q3)
Chukar
Pheasant
Today
Seasons & bag limits
White-tailed Ptarmigan
- Sep 12 – Sep 20, 2026
White-tailed Ptarmigan2 daily2 poss.
Quail (Zone Q2)
- Sep 26, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Quail (all species)10 daily30 poss.
Quail (Zone Q1)
- Oct 17, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Quail (all species)10 daily30 poss.
Quail (Zone Q3)
- Oct 17, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Quail (all species)10 daily30 poss.
Chukar
- Oct 17, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Chukar6 daily18 poss.
Pheasant
- Nov 14 – Dec 27, 2026
Male pheasants3 daily9 poss.
