Michigan Bird Hunting

Seasons Span September 15 – December 1, 2025

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Season Dates

  1. Ruffed Grouse
    • Season Dates:
      • September 15, 2025 – November 14, 2025, and December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026 (statewide) 
    • Daily Bag Limit: 5 grouse per day 
    • Possession Limit: 10 grouse 
    • Notes: Thrives in young forests with aspen, birch, and conifer trees, particularly in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.
  2. Woodcock
    • Season Dates:
      • September 15, 2025 – November 14, 2025 (tentative, based on historical patterns; confirm with DNR) 
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3 woodcock per day 
    • Possession Limit: 9 woodcock 
    • Notes: Requires a free woodcock stamp with registration in the federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). Hunters must report banded birds to support conservation efforts.
  3. Ring-necked Pheasant (Males Only)
    • Season Dates:
      • Zone 1 (Upper Peninsula): October 10, 2025 – October 31, 2025
      • Zones 2 and 3 (Lower Peninsula): October 20, 2025 – November 14, 2025, and December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026 
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2 pheasants per day 
    • Possession Limit: 4 pheasants 
    • Notes: Primarily found in southern Michigan’s agricultural fields. A $25 pheasant license is required for hunters 18 and older on public lands in the Lower Peninsula or Hunting Access Program lands, with exemptions for private land hunters, Upper Peninsula public land hunters, those 17 and younger, and game bird preserve hunters.
  4. Bobwhite Quail
    • Season Dates:
      • October 20, 2025 – November 14, 2025 (limited to 27 counties; confirm specific counties with DNR) 
    • Daily Bag Limit: 5 quail per day 
    • Possession Limit: Not explicitly stated, typically 2x daily bag limit (10 quail, but confirm with DNR) 
    • Notes: Bobwhite quail is a threatened species, with hunting restricted to specific counties, often on private lands or preserves.
  5. Sharp-tailed Grouse
    • Season Dates:
      • October 20, 2025 – November 14, 2025 (specific areas in the Upper Peninsula; additional dates may apply) 
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2 grouse per season (not daily) 
    • Possession Limit: Not explicitly stated, typically aligns with daily/season limit (confirm with DNR).
    • Notes: Requires a free sharp-tailed grouse stamp, and hunting is restricted to designated areas in the Upper Peninsula.

Required Licenses and Costs

  • Base License:
    • Required for all small game and upland bird hunting in Michigan.
    • Cost:
      • Resident: $11 (ages 17+), $6 (ages 10-16) 
      • Non-resident: $151 (ages 17+), $76 (ages 10-16) 
      • Note: Residents, their spouses, or children hunting on enclosed farmlands they reside on may not need a base license for small game, but additional stamps may apply. 
    • Purchase online or at official retailers.
  • Woodcock Stamp:
    • Free, but mandatory for woodcock hunters. Includes registration with the federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP).
  • Pheasant License:
    • Required for pheasant hunting on public lands in the Lower Peninsula or Hunting Access Program lands for hunters 18 and older.
    • Cost: $25. 
    • Exemptions: Private land hunters, Upper Peninsula public land hunters, those 17 and younger, and game bird preserve hunters.
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse Stamp:
    • Free, but required for sharp-tailed grouse hunting in designated Upper Peninsula areas.
  • Hunter Safety Certification:
    • Required for all hunters born on or after January 1, 1960, unless applying for an apprentice license.

Additional Notes

  • Regulations:
    • Shotguns must be plugged to hold no more than three shells for migratory bird hunting. 
    • Nontoxic shot is required for waterfowl and migratory bird hunting. 
    • Hunters must comply with federal migratory bird regulations, including HIP endorsement for woodcock and doves. 
    • Baiting is prohibited for all species, with penalties including fines and potential license loss.
  • Conservation and Ethical Hunting:
    • Adhere to bag limits to support sustainable populations.
    • Make reasonable attempts to retrieve wounded birds, which count toward daily bag limits. 
    • Respect private property boundaries and practice “Leave No Trace” principles.
  • Verification:
    • Season dates and limits are based on 2024-25 data and historical patterns. Confirm 2025-26 specifics with the Michigan DNR website (www.michigan.gov/dnr) or the 2025-26 Michigan Hunting Digest, as updates may occur.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the 2025-26 Michigan upland bird hunting season. For precise details, especially for species like bobwhite quail and mourning doves, consult the Michigan DNR directly.