Minnesota Bird Hunting

Seasons Span September 13 – January 4, 2026

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

Season Dates

  • Ruffed Grouse: September 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026
  • Spruce Grouse: September 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse: September 13, 2025 – November 30, 2025 (Northwest Zone only; East-Central Zone closed)
  • Ring-necked Pheasant: October 11, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (9 a.m. to sunset)
  • Hungarian Partridge: September 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026
  • Prairie Chicken: September 27, 2025 – October 5, 2025 (lottery only, limited to quota areas)
  • American Woodcock: September 20, 2025 – November 3, 2025

Required Licenses and Costs

  • Small Game License (valid March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026):
    • Resident: $22.00
    • Non-resident: $102.00
    • Resident Youth (16-17): $5.00
    • Non-resident Youth (16-17): $5.00
    • Resident Senior (65+): $13.50
    • 72-Hour Small Game License (includes pheasant stamp):
      • Resident: $19.00
      • Non-resident: $75.00
    • Military/Disabled Veteran: Free for eligible residents
  • Pheasant Stamp (required for pheasant hunting, in addition to small game license): $7.50 (resident and non-resident)
  • Prairie Chicken License (lottery-based, residents only):
    • Application Fee: $4.00
    • License Fee: $23.00 (if drawn)
  • Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (required for woodcock, dove, snipe, and rail): $7.50 (resident and non-resident)
  • Federal Duck Stamp (required for woodcock, dove, snipe, and rail): $27.50
  • HIP Certification: Free (required for migratory birds like woodcock, dove, snipe, and rail)
  • Apprentice Hunter Validation: $3.50 (for those without a Firearm Safety Certificate)
  • Hunter Safety Requirements: Hunters born after December 31, 1979, must have a Firearm Safety Certificate or apprentice hunter validation.

Licenses can be purchased online, by phone (888-665-4236), at DNR license agents, or via the forthcoming mobile app.

Daily Bag Limits and Possession Limits

  • Ruffed Grouse: 5 daily (combined with spruce grouse), 10 possession
  • Spruce Grouse: 5 daily (combined with ruffed grouse), 10 possession
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse: 3 daily, 6 possession (Northwest Zone only)
  • Ring-necked Pheasant: 2 daily (3 daily from December 1, 2025), 6 possession (9 possession from December 1, 2025), roosters only
  • Hungarian Partridge: 5 daily, 10 possession
  • Prairie Chicken: 2 per season (lottery only, no daily limit specified)
  • American Woodcock: 3 daily, 9 possession

Additional Notes

  • Prairie Chicken Hunting: Limited to 125 permits via lottery, with applications typically due in August. Only available in designated quota areas.
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse: Hunting is restricted to the Northwest Zone due to population declines in the East-Central Zone.
  • Public Hunting Land: Minnesota offers 11 million acres of public hunting land, including state forests and wildlife management areas, ideal for upland bird hunting.
  • Regulation Updates: Always verify with the Minnesota DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) for the most current regulations, as dates and rules may change. Information is typically finalized by August 1, 2025.
  • Ethical Considerations: For spruce grouse, hunters are encouraged to exercise restraint due to their limited survival instincts and low population in the lower 48 states.

For the most up-to-date information, check the Minnesota DNR’s hunting regulations booklet or website.