Resident Game Bird Seasons

Name: eRegulations
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2025-2026 Upland Game Bird Season Summary

Chart showing the 2025–2026 small game bird hunting seasons in Washington State, including dates for forest grouse, pheasant (westside and eastside), California quail, mountain quail, bobwhite, gray partridge, and chukar. It highlights special youth-only hunts, extended opportunities for hunters age 65+ and those with disabilities, as well as general and extended season dates. — 2025–2026 Washington small game bird hunting season summary chart, detailing hunting dates for forest grouse, pheasant, quail, partridge, and chukar with youth, senior, and general season opportunities.

2025-2026 Upland Game Bird Seasons

Species	Area	Season Dates	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Forest Grouse (Ruffed, Sooty, Dusky, and Spruce)	Statewide	Sept. 15 - Jan. 15	4 grouse per day, to include not more than 3 Dusky or Sooty Grouse (combined), 3 Spruce Grouse, and 3 Ruffed Grouse.	12 grouse, to include not more than 9 Dusky or Sooty Grouse (combined), 9 Spruce Grouse, and 9 Ruffed Grouse.
Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse, Ptarmigan	Closed Statewide
Pheasant * At the Samish release site, pheasants will only be released during youth and senior hunting seasons. For alternative release sites, visit the WDFW upland bird hunting locations page.	Western Washington	8am to 4pm Sept. 13-14 (Youth Only)	2 either sex	4 either sex
	Western Washington	8am to 4pm Sept. 15-19 (Hunters 65 Years or Older, Hunters with Disabilities)	2 either sex	10 either sex
	Western Washington Regular Season	8am to 4pm Sept. 20 - Nov. 30	2 either sex	15 either sex
	Western Washington Extended Season (no pheasants released)	8am to 4pm Dec. 1-15 ONLY at Belfair, JBLM, Kosmos, Lincoln Creek, Scatter Creek, Skookumchuck, Green Diamond resource lands & Whidbey Island release sites	2 either sex	15 either sex
	Eastern Washington	Sept. 13-14 (Youth Only)	3 cocks only	6 cocks only
	Eastern Washington	Sept. 15-19 (Hunters 65 Years or Older, Hunters with Disabilities)	3 cocks only	15 cocks only
	Eastern Washington Regular Season	Oct. 18 - Jan. 19	3 cocks only	15 cocks only
California (Valley) Quail and Northern Bobwhite	Western Washington	8am to 4pm Sept. 20 - Nov. 30	10 mixed bag	30 mixed bag
	Eastern Washington	Sept. 13-14 (Youth Only)	10 mixed bag	20 mixed bag
	Eastern Washington Regular Season	Oct. 4 - Jan. 19	10 mixed bag	30 mixed bag
Quail (Mountain)	Western Washington	8am to 4pm Sept. 20 - Nov. 30	2 either sex	4 either sex
Quail (Mountain)	Eastern Washington	Closed throughout Eastern Washington
Gray Partridge	Eastern Washington	Sept. 13-14 (Youth Only)	6 either sex	12 either sex
Gray Partridge	Eastern Washington	Oct. 4 - Jan. 19	6 either sex	18 either sex
Chukar	Eastern Washington	Sept. 13-14 (Youth Only)	6 either sex	12 either sex
Chukar	Eastern Washington	Oct. 4 - Jan. 31	6 either sex	18 either sex
Crow	Statewide	Sept. 1 - Dec. 31	No limit	No limit

Forest Grouse Wing and Tail Collection

Successful forest grouse hunters are requested to submit a wing and tail from each forest grouse harvested. Wings and tails should be placed in a paper bag (one bag for each bird) and can be brought to any WDFW District or Regional office. The wings and tails can also be deposited in collection barrels placed around the state. Paper bags are available at each collection barrel. To find out if grouse wing and tail collection barrels are available in your area, visit the WDFW grouse collection program page or contact your local district office.

Composite image showing grouse wing collection materials used by hunters for wildlife research in Washington. The first image displays a blue collection barrel with a yellow sign labeled "Attention Grouse Hunters." The second shows an instruction card with steps for submitting grouse wings and tails. The third displays grouse wings collected for species identification. — Grouse wing collection program in Washington helps hunters contribute to wildlife research. Collection barrels, instruction cards, and submitted grouse wings are used to monitor populations and improve conservation management.