BirdHuntRuffed Grouse
- Oct 3, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Ruffed Grouse3 daily6 poss.
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Upland birds 2026-27
Iowa upland hunting
Pheasant · Bobwhite quail · Gray partridge · Ruffed grouse
Open now
2
Ruffed Grouse, Gray Partridge
Pheasant
3 a day
Opens Oct 31
Species
4
Pheasant, Bobwhite quail, Gray partridge…
How nonresidents hunt upland birds in Iowa
Nonresidents buy the nonresident hunting license with habitat fee (annual, or 5-day for 18 and older) over the counter. Pheasant hunting runs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over 32,000 acres of IHAP walk-in land.
Pheasant Oct. 31, 2026 - Jan. 10, 2027 (youth Oct. 24-25); quail Oct. 31 - Jan. 31; partridge Oct. 10 - Jan. 31; ruffed grouse Oct. 3 - Jan. 31.
Season calendar
OctNovDecJan
Ruffed Grouse
Gray Partridge
Youth Pheasant
Pheasant
Bobwhite Quail
Today
Seasons & bag limits
Gray Partridge
- Oct 10, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Gray Partridge8 daily16 poss.
Youth Pheasant
- Oct 24 – Oct 25, 2026
Rooster pheasants1 daily2 poss.
Pheasant
- Oct 31, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
Rooster pheasants3 daily12 poss.
Bobwhite Quail
- Oct 31, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Bobwhite Quail8 daily16 poss.
What a nonresident needs to buy
Hunting license: choose one
Source · checked Sep 23, 2026 ·
$144.00
Total for the season
$144.00
Public land & walk-in access
Programs and the rules that apply to them. We don't publish specific spots.
Walk-in program
Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP)
Open to nonresidentsPrivate land open to walk-in hunting Sept. 1 - May 31, over 32,000 acres in 57 counties. No vehicles on IHAP land.
Maps and details · checked Sep 30, 2026 ·
