Upland Game Bird Seasons Open October 1

This year, the chukar and gray partridge seasons don't open until October 1, but the seasons on these popular game birds remain open statewide through January 31. Chukar and gray partridge have a daily bag limit of six chukars and six gray partridges. The possession limit after the first day is 12 chukars and 12 gray partridges. Several other upland game bird seasons, including a limited season on sage-grouse, also open October 1. The bobwhite and California quail seasons run from October 1 through January 31 in western Idaho from Canada to Nevada through the end of January. But Area 2 in the eastern part of the state is closed. The daily bag limit is 10 total. The possession limit after the first day is 20 total. The sage-grouse season opens October 1 through 7, with a one-bird daily limit and two-bird possession limit, in sage-grouse Area 2. For details, please refer to the 2011 Sage-grouse Seasons and Rules brochure, available at license vendors and online at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/uplandSage.pdf. The sharp-tailed grouse season opens in most of eastern Idaho October 1 and runs through 31. Hunters are advised to check the upland game bird rules for areas that are open to sharptail hunting, either in the printed brochure or online at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=67. Anyone hunting sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse, must have a sage/sharp-tailed grouse permit at $4.75, in addition to a valid hunting license. The season for forest grouse, which includes ruffed, spruce and dusky grouse, opened August 30 and runs through December 31, except in the Panhandle Region where the season runs through January 31. The daily limit is four, whether all of one or mixed species, and eight in possession after the first day. Hunters need only a valid hunting license to hunt quail, chukar, grey partridge and forest grouse. Turkey season opened September 15 in many areas. All hunters need a valid 2011 Idaho hunting license. Hunters will find upland hunting rules and shooting times in the 2011-2012 Upland Game, Furbearer & Turkey Seasons and Rules brochure at license vendors, Fish and Game offices and online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=67.