Bird Hunting Utah, Grouse, Quail, Chukar, Pheasant, Ptarmigan, and More

Upland hunters can discover grouse, chukar, Huns, pheasants, ptarmigan, and extra within the Beehive State.

Along with off-roading, mountain climbing, and winter sports activities, Utah is thought for its unbelievable upland fowl looking alternatives. Due to the state’s extensive number of habitats, greater than a dozen upland fowl species name it dwelling, together with ruffed grouse, dusky grouse, sage grouse, chukar, and Hungarian partridge. Grouse researcher Dr. Dave Dahlgren from Utah State College not too long ago appeared on the Venture Upland Podcast to debate Nice Basin sage grouse ecology and conservation within the following episodes:

Along with sage grouse, Utah is dwelling to the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. Whereas this species nonetheless has a looking season, its inhabitants has declined or vanished from components of its historic vary. “At the moment, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse happen in solely 5% of their historic range-wide distribution and 4% of their distribution in Utah,” states the Conservation Plan for Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse in Utah. To bolster Utah’s inhabitants, researchers as soon as translocated birds trapped in Colorado. Nevertheless, this system ended when it was found that the Colorado birds is likely to be a unique subspecies, not Columbian sharp-tailed grouse.

For those who plan to hunt grouse or different small recreation in Utah this season, learn on for particulars about season dates, bag limits, and different necessary rules.

Utah Upland Chook And Small Recreation Season Dates And Limits

For extra details about upland looking guidelines, learn the Utah Division of Wildlife Assets (DWR) 2025-2026 upland fowl and wild turkey looking rules booklet right here. Details about the youth looking days is on web page 15. For migratory fowl info, see the DWR’s booklet on waterfowl and migratory birds right here.

Vital objects to notice embody:

Except in any other case famous, upland fowl looking is on the market statewide aside from closed areas and Native American belief lands

Antelope Island is closed to all upland fowl looking

Goshen Heat Springs WMA in Utah County is closed to all looking

Huntington Recreation Farm is closed till 3 p.m. on October 25, 2025

Annabella, Pahvant, and a portion of the Ogden Bay and Santaquin WMAs are closed on November 8, 2025

These dates have been final up to date on August 15, 2025 and will not replicate any modifications since that date. For essentially the most up-to-date info go to the Utah DWR web site.

Dusky and Ruffed Grouse Looking in Utah

Dusky grouse are a rewarding choice for upland hunters in Utah. By November, when most deciduous timber have misplaced their leaves, these birds can usually be discovered hid in or round pine timber. Whereas their vary is broader than that of the ruffed grouse, a number of the greatest looking alternatives for dusky grouse are in Cache County and alongside the Wasatch Plateau.

The ruffed grouse, usually known as the king of recreation birds and strongly related to the Northwoods, additionally inhabits Utah. Ruffed grouse habitat runs alongside the Wasatch Plateau—a mountain vary stretching from Cache to Sevier County and lengthening into the Wasatch Nationwide Forest. Whereas they might be present in pine woods, ruffed grouse are extra usually encountered in stands of oak, maple, and different forests close to water.

Utah’s beneficiant forest grouse season runs from September 1 to December 31, with a each day bag restrict of 4 birds (mixed dusky and ruffed grouse).

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Sharp-tailed grouse occupy a a lot smaller vary in Utah in comparison with forest grouse. Looking is restricted to Field Elder and Cache counties within the northern a part of the state, and most fitted habitat lies on personal property. Hunters are inspired to safe landowner permission earlier than making use of for the required $10 allow.

Allow functions are accepted in July, with the drawing happening in August. For folk lucky sufficient to attract a sharptail allow, the restrict is 2 birds per season.

Higher Sage Grouse

Utah has 4 designated looking areas for better sage grouse: Diamond/Blue Mountain within the southeast, Parker Mountain within the central area, Wealthy County within the northeast, and West Field Elder within the northwest.

The season restrict is 2 birds of both intercourse. Along with an everyday looking license, hunters should apply for a $10 allow. Utility deadlines are the identical as for sharp-tailed grouse, and desire factors may be accrued. Like sharptails, the restrict is 2 birds per season.

White-tailed Ptarmigan Looking in Utah

White-tailed ptarmigan have been launched to Utah to develop upland looking alternatives, and this system has been profitable. These birds rely closely on camouflage and are unaccustomed to being pursued by hunters and canines, usually holding very tight earlier than flushing. As a result of a covey can solely stand up to a lot strain, hunters are inspired to set moral, self-imposed limits.

The each day bag restrict is 4 birds, with a possession restrict of twelve. Along with an everyday looking license, a free allow is required to hunt white-tailed ptarmigan in Utah.

Quail Looking in Utah

Utah is dwelling to a few quail species: Gambel’s quail, California (valley) quail, and scaled (blue) quail. Gambel’s quail are discovered within the southwest nook of the state in Washington County, whereas California quail thrive in areas with dense brush and dependable water sources. Scaled quail happen in remoted populations, however their looking season is closed. Hunters ought to have the ability to establish scaled quail earlier than pursuing quail in Utah.

The each day bag restrict is 5 quail (mixed or single species) with a possession restrict of fifteen. Youth hunts are provided by the Utah DWR previous to the final season. See the upland looking booklet for extra particulars.

Chukar Looking in Utah

Utah has a powerful chukar looking custom. Populations exist in huntable numbers throughout lots of the state’s mountain ranges, providing ample public land alternatives for pursuing the “red-legged satan.”

The each day bag restrict is 5 birds, with a possession restrict of fifteen. A youth season takes place earlier than the final season opens.

Hungarian Partridge Looking in Utah

Hungarian (grey) partridge rules largely mirror these for chukar. Populations are most plentiful within the northwest a part of the state, primarily in Field Elder and Cache counties. Most high quality habitat is on personal land, so hunters must be ready to request landowner entry.

The each day bag restrict is 5 birds, with a possession restrict of fifteen.

Ring-necked Pheasant Looking in Utah

Ring-necked pheasants have been launched to Utah in 1890 and stay in style on account of each wild and launched populations. For instance, the state launched 10,000 pheasants for the 2017 season. North of the Nice Salt Lake is one notable space to seek out them, and they’re additionally current on many looking preserves statewide.

The each day bag restrict is 2 roosters, with a possession restrict of six.

Dove and Pigeon Looking in Utah

Utah provides dove looking alternatives for 4 species, together with year-round looking with no restrict for African and Eurasian collared-doves. Mourning doves and white-winged doves have a season from September 1 by way of October 30, with a each day bag restrict of fifteen birds (mixed), and a possession restrict of forty-five. Collared doves should stay totally feathered for identification functions.

For a extra distinctive alternative, Utah has a small inhabitants of band-tailed pigeons, which is the closest residing relative to the extinct passenger pigeon. The season runs from September 1 to September 14, with a each day bag restrict of two and a possession restrict of six. Along with a looking license, a allow is required to pursue band-tailed pigeons.

Utah Looking Licenses and Charges

For an entire checklist of license and allow charges, click on right here. A 2.2% charge applies to all on-line and in-person credit score/debit card transactions.

These charges have been final up to date on August 15, 2025 and will not replicate any modifications since that date. For essentially the most up-to-date info go to the Utah DWR web site.

Blaze Orange Clothes Necessities in Utah

Utah doesn’t require upland recreation hunters to put on blaze orange. Nevertheless, the Utah Division of Wildlife Assets recommends sporting blaze orange to extend visibility and security, particularly throughout overlapping massive recreation seasons.

Venture Upland additionally encourages all upland and small recreation hunters to put on blaze orange for security within the subject.

Utah Looking Canine Coaching Laws

Looking canines could also be educated year-round in Utah, with some exceptions. Sure wildlife administration areas (WMAs) solely enable canine coaching throughout open looking seasons. From April 1 by way of August 15, the DWR encourages trainers to intently monitor their canines to keep away from disturbing nesting wildlife.

Legally acquired pen-raised recreation birds could also be used for coaching, however they should be banded. As of Could 7, 2025, anybody accessing state wildlife areas (SWAs) in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties should possess a looking, fishing, or mixture license. This requirement applies to canine trainers as properly.

It’s unlawful to coach canines inside a half-mile of a sage grouse or sharp-tailed grouse lek from March 1 to Could 31 every year.

In 2025, Utah up to date guidelines for the possession and launch of pen-raised recreation birds. For particulars, seek advice from the “Possession and Launch of Pen-reared Gamebirds Rule” on the DWR web site.

Utah Upland Chook Conservation Organizations