Utah Bird Hunting

Seasons Span September 1 – February 15, 2026

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

Season Dates

  • Dusky Grouse and Ruffed Grouse:
    • Season: September 1 – December 31, 2025
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse (permit required):
    • Season: September 27 – October 19, 2025 (Northeast Box Elder and Cache Counties)
  • Greater Sage-Grouse (permit required):
    • Season: September 27 – October 19, 2025 (Diamond/Blue Mountain, Parker Mountain, Rich County, West Box Elder)
  • White-tailed Ptarmigan (free permit required):
    • Season: September 1 – October 31, 2025
  • Gambel’s Quail and California Quail:
    • Season: November 1 – December 31, 2025
    • Youth Quail Days: October 25–27, 2025
  • Scaled Quail:
    • Season: Closed statewide
  • Chukar Partridge:
    • Season: September 27, 2025 – February 15, 2026
    • Youth Chukar Hunt: September 20–22, 2025
  • Hungarian (Gray) Partridge:
    • Season: September 27, 2025 – February 15, 2026
    • Youth Hungarian Partridge Days: September 20–22, 2025
  • Ring-necked Pheasant:
    • Season: November 1 – December 7, 2025
    • Youth Pheasant Days: October 25–30, 2025
    • Season: September 1 – October 30, 2025

Required Licenses and Costs

  • Basic Hunting License (required for all upland game hunting):
    • Resident:
      • Ages 13 and younger: $11.00
      • Ages 14–17: $16.00
      • Ages 18–64: $40.00
      • Ages 65 and older: $31.00
      • Disabled Veteran: $25.50
    • Nonresident:
      • Ages 17 and younger: $34.00
      • Ages 18 and older: $120.00
      • 3-day small game: $46.00
  • Combination License (includes hunting and fishing):
    • Resident:
      • Ages 14–17: $20.00
      • Ages 18–64: $44.00
      • Ages 65 and older: $35.00
      • Disabled Veteran: $28.50
    • Nonresident:
      • Ages 17 and younger: $38.00
      • Ages 18 and older: $150.00
  • Special Permits:
    • Greater Sage-Grouse: $10 (resident/nonresident, draw application July 2–16, 2025)
    • Sharp-tailed Grouse: $10 (resident/nonresident, draw application July 2–16, 2025)
    • White-tailed Ptarmigan: Free (available starting July 31, 2025, online or at license agents)
    • Band-tailed Pigeon: Free (available starting July 31, 2025, online or at license agents)
  • Migratory Bird Requirements (for doves and band-tailed pigeons):
    • Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration: Free, required for mourning doves, white-winged doves, and band-tailed pigeons. Register online at the DWR website.
    • Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp): $30 (required for hunters 16 and older for waterfowl and migratory birds, available starting July 1, 2025, via DWR website, post offices, or select license agents).

Note: Licenses are valid for 365 days from purchase. A 2.2% fee applies to online and in-person credit/debit card transactions.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits

  • Dusky and Ruffed Grouse:
    • Daily: 4 (combined)
    • Possession: 12 (combined)
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse:
    • Season Limit: 2 birds
  • Greater Sage-Grouse:
    • Season Limit: 2 birds
  • White-tailed Ptarmigan:
    • Daily: 4
    • Possession: 12
  • Gambel’s and California Quail:
    • Daily: 5 (combined)
    • Possession: 15 (combined)
  • Chukar Partridge:
    • Daily: 5
    • Possession: 15
  • Hungarian Partridge:
    • Daily: 5
    • Possession: 15
  • Ring-necked Pheasant:
    • Daily: 2 (roosters only)
    • Possession: 6

Additional Notes

  • Permit Requirements: Greater sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, white-tailed ptarmigan, and band-tailed pigeons require specific permits. Applications for sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse are through the DWR draw system (July 2–16, 2025), while ptarmigan and pigeon permits are free and available starting July 31, 2025.
  • HIP Registration: Mandatory for hunting migratory birds (mourning doves, white-winged doves, band-tailed pigeons). Register online at no cost.
  • Closed Areas: Hunting is prohibited on Antelope Island, Goshen Warm Springs WMA, Huntington Game Farm (until 3 p.m. on October 25, 2025), and specific portions of Ogden Bay, Santaquin, and Pahvant WMAs on November 8, 2025.
  • Private Land: Written permission is required to hunt on private property. Utah’s Walk-in Access program provides access to certain private lands with authorization.
  • Regulations: Hunters must wear hunter orange during certain seasons, avoid shooting from vehicles or near infrastructure, and adhere to legal hunting hours (30 minutes before sunrise to after nightfall).
  • Verification: Always check the 2025-26 Utah Upland Game & Turkey Guidebook or the Utah Waterfowl and Migratory Game Birds Guidebook for the most current regulations and any updates.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview, but regulations may change, so verify details with the Utah DWR before hunting.