BirdHuntRuffed & Spruce Grouse
- Sep 19, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Ruffed and spruce grouse (combined)5 daily10 poss.
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Upland birds 2026-27
Minnesota upland hunting
Pheasant · Ruffed grouse · Spruce grouse · Sharp-tailed grouse · Gray partridge
Open now
4
Ruffed & Spruce Grouse, Hungarian Partridge, Sharp-tailed Grouse (northwest zone), Pheasant
Pheasant
2 a day
Opens Oct 10
Species
5
Pheasant, Ruffed grouse, Spruce grouse…
How nonresidents hunt upland birds in Minnesota
Nonresidents buy a small game license (annual or 72-hour) and, ages 18-64, a pheasant stamp, over the counter. Sharp-tailed grouse are open only in the northwest zone. Walk-In Access land needs a $3 validation.
Pheasant Oct. 10, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027; ruffed and spruce grouse and partridge Sept. 19 - Jan. 3; sharp-tailed grouse (northwest) Sept. 19 - Nov. 30.
Season calendar
SepOctNovDecJan
Ruffed & Spruce Grouse
Hungarian Partridge
Sharp-tailed Grouse (northwest zone)
Pheasant
Today
Seasons & bag limits
Hungarian Partridge
- Sep 19, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Hungarian Partridge5 daily10 poss.
Sharp-tailed Grouse (northwest zone)
- Sep 19 – Nov 30, 2026
Sharp-tailed Grouse (northwest zone)3 daily6 poss.
Pheasant
- Oct 10, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Rooster pheasants2 daily6 poss.
What a nonresident needs to buy
Hunting license: choose one
Source · checked Sep 30, 2026 ·
$103.00
Total for the season
$103.00
Public land & walk-in access
Programs and the rules that apply to them. We don't publish specific spots.
Walk-in program
Walk-In Access (WIA)
Open to nonresidentsPrivate land open to walk-in hunting Sept. 1 - May 31, about 22,000 acres at 220+ sites in west, central and southern Minnesota. Hunters of all ages need the $3 Walk-In Access validation; hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Maps and details · checked Sep 30, 2026 ·
