Wyoming Bird Hunting
Seasons Span September 1 – January 31, 2026
State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.
Season Dates
- Sage Grouse
- Season Dates: September 20–30, 2025 (Hunt Area 1); other areas may be closed.
- Daily Bag Limit: 2
- Possession Limit: 4 (some sources note 6 possession limit, but 4 is specified for Hunt Area 1).
- Notes: A free sage grouse hunting permit is required, available at Wyoming Game and Fish offices or online. Hunt Area 1 covers west-central Wyoming.
- Blue (Dusky) Grouse
- Season Dates: September 1–December 31, 2025
- Daily Bag Limit: 3
- Possession Limit: 9
- Notes: Available statewide, found in forested and open habitats.
- Ruffed Grouse
- Season Dates: September 1–December 31, 2025
- Daily Bag Limit: 3
- Possession Limit: 9
- Notes: Found in timbered areas, less common; hunters may consider self-imposed limits due to low population.
- Sharp-tailed Grouse
- Season Dates: September 1–December 31, 2025 (east of the Continental Divide)
- Daily Bag Limit: 3
- Possession Limit: 9
- Notes: Found in prairies and grasslands east of the Continental Divide.
- Hungarian (Gray) Partridge
- Season Dates: September 15, 2025–January 31, 2026
- Daily Bag Limit: 5
- Possession Limit: 15
- Notes: Available statewide, often found in sage grouse habitat.
- Chukar Partridge
- Season Dates: September 15, 2025–January 31, 2026
- Daily Bag Limit: 5
- Possession Limit: 15
- Notes: Available statewide, typically in steep terrain near sage grouse habitat.
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Season Dates: Varies by hunt area, generally November 1–December 31, 2025; Hunt Area 8 (Springer) includes October 11–31, 2025, and November 1–15, 2025.
- Daily Bag Limit: 2–3 (varies by area; Hunt Area 2 is 2, others typically 3; Springer permits allow 3)
- Possession Limit: 6–9 (varies by area; Hunt Area 2 is 6, others typically 9)
- Notes: Hunt Area 1, 5, 7, 9, 11 typically male-only; Hunt Area 2 allows any pheasant; Springer and Glendo require special permits.
Required Licenses and Costs
- Resident Licenses:
- Annual Game Bird/Small Game License: $27
- Daily Game Bird/Small Game License: $9
- Conservation Stamp: $21.50 (required for most hunting)
- Lifetime Game Bird/Small Game License: $311
- Non-resident Licenses:
- Annual Game Bird/Small Game License: $74
- Daily Game Bird/Small Game License: $22
- Conservation Stamp: $21.50 (required for most hunting)
- Youth (12-month Game Bird/Small Game): $40
- Sage Grouse Permit: Free, required for sage grouse hunting, available online or at Wyoming Game and Fish offices.
- Pheasant Special Management Permit: Required for certain areas (e.g., Springer, Glendo), cost not specified in sources but typically included with license or via separate application (apply April 1–June 2, 2025).
- Hunter Safety Requirement: Hunters born after January 1, 1966, must have a hunter safety certification, except residents hunting on family land.
Additional Notes
- Bag and Possession Limits: Only one daily bag limit per species can be taken, regardless of the number of hunt areas visited in a day. The largest daily/possession limit applies if hunting multiple areas.
- Regulations: Nontoxic shot is required for shotguns in specific areas (e.g., Table Mountain, Springer/Bump-Sullivan WHMAs). Always check the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website for the latest regulations, hunt area maps, and potential changes.
- Applications: Apply for Springer pheasant permits April 1–June 2, 2025.
- Verification: Season dates and limits may vary by specific hunt areas; always confirm with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for the most current information.
For the most up-to-date details, visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website (wgfd.wyo.gov) or refer to the 2025 Upland Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Seasons regulation brochure.
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