BirdHuntRuffed Grouse (Zones 1-2)
- Sep 15 – Nov 14, 2026
- Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Ruffed Grouse (Zones 1-2)5 daily10 poss.
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Upland birds 2026-27
Michigan upland hunting
Ruffed grouse · Pheasant · Sharp-tailed grouse · Bobwhite quail
Open now
4
Ruffed Grouse (Zones 1-2), Ruffed Grouse (Zone 3), Pheasant (Upper Peninsula unit), Sharp-tailed Grouse (Zone 1)
Pheasant
2 a day
Opens Oct 10
Species
4
Ruffed grouse, Pheasant, Sharp-tailed grouse…
How nonresidents hunt upland birds in Michigan
Nonresidents buy the nonresident base license, or a 3-day or 7-day small game license, over the counter; no extra upland stamp. Michigan is first a ruffed grouse state: huge public forests in the north. Pheasants are limited to the south and a few Upper Peninsula areas.
Ruffed grouse Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 - Jan. 1; pheasant Oct. 20 - Nov. 14 (Zones 2-3), Dec. 1 - Jan. 1 in Zone 3, Oct. 10-31 in part of the U.P.; sharp-tailed grouse Oct. 10-31 (Zone 1); quail Oct. 20 - Nov. 14 (southern counties).
Season calendar
SepOctNovDecJan
Ruffed Grouse (Zones 1-2)
Ruffed Grouse (Zone 3)
Pheasant (Upper Peninsula unit)
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Zone 1)
Pheasant (Zones 2-3)
Bobwhite Quail
Pheasant (Zone 3 December)
Today
Seasons & bag limits
Ruffed Grouse (Zone 3)
- Sep 15 – Nov 14, 2026
- Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Ruffed Grouse (Zone 3)3 daily6 poss.
Pheasant (Upper Peninsula unit)
- Oct 10 – Oct 31, 2026
Male pheasants2 daily4 poss.
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Zone 1)
- Oct 10 – Oct 31, 2026
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Zone 1)2 daily4 poss.
Pheasant (Zones 2-3)
- Oct 20 – Nov 14, 2026
Male pheasants2 daily4 poss.
Bobwhite Quail
- Oct 20 – Nov 14, 2026
Bobwhite Quail5 daily10 poss.
Pheasant (Zone 3 December)
- Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Male pheasants2 daily4 poss.
What a nonresident needs to buy
Hunting license: choose one
Source · checked Sep 23, 2026 ·
$151.00
Total for the season
$151.00
