BirdHuntSharp-tailed Grouse
- Sep 12, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Sharp-tailed Grouse3 daily12 poss.
← All states
Upland birds 2026-27
North Dakota upland hunting
Pheasant · Sharp-tailed grouse · Ruffed grouse · Gray partridge
Open now
4
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Hungarian Partridge, Pheasant
Pheasant
3 a day
Opens Oct 10
Species
4
Pheasant, Sharp-tailed grouse, Ruffed grouse…
How nonresidents hunt upland birds in North Dakota
Nonresidents buy the small game license (14 days, or two 7-day periods) plus the certificate and general game and habitat license. Nonresidents may not hunt PLOTS or state WMAs Oct. 10-16, 2026. Prairie chicken and sage grouse are closed in 2026.
Pheasant Oct. 10, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027 (youth Oct. 3-4); sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse and partridge Sept. 12 - Jan. 3.
Season calendar
SepOctNovDecJan
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Hungarian Partridge
Youth Pheasant
Pheasant
Today
Seasons & bag limits
Ruffed Grouse
- Sep 12, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Ruffed Grouse3 daily12 poss.
Hungarian Partridge
- Sep 12, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Hungarian Partridge3 daily12 poss.
Youth Pheasant
- Oct 3 – Oct 4, 2026
Male pheasants3 daily12 poss.
Pheasant
- Oct 10, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Male pheasants3 daily12 poss.
What a nonresident needs to buy
Public land & walk-in access
Programs and the rules that apply to them. We don't publish specific spots.
Walk-in program
PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen)
Nonresident limitsNonresidents: Nonresidents may not hunt any game on PLOTS from Oct. 10 through Oct. 16, 2026 (the first seven days of pheasant season), unless it's land they own.
Private land leased for walk-in hunting: on foot only, and anything other than hunting needs the landowner's permission. Tracts are in the annual PLOTS guide.
Maps and details · Source · checked Sep 30, 2026 ·
Public land
Game and Fish wildlife management areas
Nonresident limitsNonresidents: Nonresidents may not hunt any game on Game and Fish WMAs from Oct. 10 through Oct. 16, 2026 (the first seven days of pheasant season).
Maps and details · Source · checked Sep 30, 2026 ·
