Upland game bird seasons set

September is here which means many Idaho upland game bird hunting seasons are about to begin. Here’s a brief summary of the upcoming seasons.

Forest Grouse

Wednesday, Aug. 30 marked the start of the forest grouse season, which includes ruffed, spruce and dusky grouse. The season in northern Idaho runs through Jan. 31 and through Dec. 31 in the rest of the state. The daily limit is four, whether all of one or mixed species, and 12 in possession.

Fall Turkey

The general fall turkey season opened Sept. 15 in portions of the Panhandle, Clearwater, and Southeast regions. Turkey hunters need a valid hunting license and appropriate turkey tag.

Chukar & Partridge

Chukar and gray partridge seasons run from Sept. 16 through Jan. 31. The daily bag limit is eight chukar and eight gray partridge, and the possession limit is 24 chukar and 24 gray partridge.

California Quail

Bobwhite and California quail seasons also run from Sept. 16 through Jan. 31. The daily bag limit is 10 total, and the possession limit is 30 total. Area 2 in eastern Idaho is closed. Hunters are reminded that there are no seasons for Gambel’s or Mountain Quail.

Hunters need only a valid hunting license to hunt quail, chukar, gray partridge and forest grouse.

Sage & Sharp-tailed Grouse

The seven-day sage-grouse season runs from Sept. 16-22 in some areas, with a one-bird daily limit and a two-bird possession limit.

Sharp-tailed grouse season opens from Oct. 1-31, with a two-bird daily limit and six-bird possession limit. Hunters are reminded that because both sharptails and sage-grouse can occur in the same areas in south-central and eastern Idaho, identification of species is important, as sharptails cannot be taken during the sage-grouse season. A separate permit that costs $4.75 is required for hunting sage- and sharp-tailed grouse.

Pheasant

Young hunters get an early shot at pheasants, with Oct. 7-13 marking the youth pheasant season. Properly licensed youth 15 years old and younger may participate. At least one adult 18 years old or older having a valid hunting license, must accompany each youth hunting party into the field at all times.

Pheasant season in northern Idaho runs from Oct. 14 through Dec. 31. The season begins Oct. 21 in the remainder of the state, with seasons running through Nov. 30 in eastern Idaho and through Dec. 31 in western Idaho.

The daily bag limit is three cocks, and the possession limit is nine, except on nine WMA’s in southern Idaho where pheasants are stocked. On these WMA’s, the daily limit is two cocks and six in possession. Hunters 18 years old or older must have a valid WMA Upland Game Bird permit while hunting peasants on the WMA’s where pheasants are stocked.

Information: idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/rules/upland-furbearer-turkey