The Ultimate Guide to Upland Game Hunting: Birds, Dogs, Gear & Destinations

There's a moment every upland hunter knows. You're walking through knee-high grass, morning frost still on your boots, when your dog locks up—tail rigid, nose forward, every muscle frozen. Your heart rate spikes. You step forward. Then the air explodes with wingbeats, and suddenly you're swinging on a rooster that's cackling his way toward the next county.

That moment is what upland hunting is all about.

Whether you're a first-timer wondering what all the fuss is about or a seasoned bird hunter looking to plan your next road trip, this guide covers everything: the birds, the dogs, the guns, the gear, and the best places to chase wild birds across America.

What is Upland Hunting?

Upland hunting is, at its simplest, a walk with a gun. Your goal is to flush ground-dwelling birds into flight and shoot them on the wing. It's one of the oldest forms of hunting, and despite the "upland" name (which refers to elevated terrain), these birds live everywhere from prairies to marshes to mountain slopes.

The beauty lies in the simplicity. You need boots, a shotgun, some shells, and maybe a dog. Even if you come home empty-handed, you've spent a day walking through wild country. And when a bird does flush at your feet—that jolt of adrenaline is unmatched.

Every state in the U.S. has some form of upland season. From ruffed grouse in Maine to Gambel's quail in Arizona, America offers a staggering variety of upland birds. Seasons generally run from September through February, depending on species and state.

Upland Bird Species You Can Hunt

North America is home to roughly 20 huntable upland gamebird species. Here's a breakdown of the most popular:

Ring-Necked Pheasant — The king of upland birds. Originally from China, the ringneck was introduced to Washington state in the 1880s and now thrives across the northern U.S. in agricultural lands mixed with grassland and cattail marshes. South Dakota alone sees over a million birds harvested in good years.

Ruffed Grouse — Our most widespread native gamebird, the "king of the north woods" lives in young forests where dense saplings provide cover. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Maine are strongholds. Ruffed grouse are notorious for flushing at the worst possible moment—usually when you're ducking under a branch.

Bobwhite Quail — Few things in upland hunting match a covey rise. Ten or fifteen bobwhites buzzing up from underfoot will stop your heart. Once abundant throughout the South, bobwhites now concentrate in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, where habitat hasn't been wiped out by modern agriculture.

Woodcock — The "timberdoodle" is a shorebird adapted to the uplands, using its long bill to probe for earthworms. Found in the same brushy cover as ruffed grouse throughout the eastern third of the U.S., woodcock hunting is an art form—quick shots through tight windows of daylight in the brush.

Chukar — If you want to earn your birds, hunt chukar. These imports from the mountains of Afghanistan thrive in the high, rocky terrain of Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. The joke goes: The first time you hunt chukar, it's for the birds. The second time, it's for revenge.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse — The most popular prairie grouse, sharptails prefer short-grass prairie across Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming. Seasons open in September's heat, and for many hunters, a sharptail trip marks the official start of the upland year.

Hungarian Partridge — Also called "Huns," these birds found Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, and southern Canada to their liking. They covey up and often flush at longer ranges, making them challenging targets in wide-open country.

Scaled Quail — Known as "blue quail" or "cottontops," scaled quail inhabit the desert Southwest and are notorious runners. They'd rather sprint than fly, and hunting them often means more walking than shooting.

California Quail — Found along the West Coast from California to Washington, these topknot-wearing birds adapt well to suburban edges, parks, and broken chaparral. They're often seen in groups along roadsides.

Mearns Quail — Hunting Mearns in the oak savannahs of Arizona and New Mexico is demanding but worth it. The males are among our most strikingly colored gamebirds, and they hold tight for pointing dogs.

The Best States for Upland Hunting

If you're planning a trip, these states consistently deliver:

South Dakota — The "Pheasant Capital of the World" and it's not even close. With 12+ million acres open to hunters through public lands and walk-in programs, South Dakota is a bucket-list destination. Aberdeen, Mitchell, and Pierre are the epicenters.

Kansas — The Sunflower State offers a rare shot at both pheasants and bobwhite quail on the same trip. The Walk-In Hunting Areas (WIHA) program opens over a million acres of private land to public hunting. Northwestern Kansas is prime pheasant country, while the southern tier holds quail.

North Dakota — Similar to South Dakota but with fewer hunters. The combination of pheasants, sharptails, and Hungarian partridge makes for excellent mixed-bag hunting. The southwest region is particularly productive.

Nebraska — Often overlooked, Nebraska's southwest and panhandle regions hold strong pheasant populations, plus quail in the southern reaches. The Open Fields and Waters program provides excellent access.

Montana — Big sky country offers pheasants, sharptails, Huns, and sage grouse against stunning mountain backdrops. Lewistown, in the geographic center of the state, is a legendary base camp for public land hunts.

Idaho — Perhaps the most species-diverse state, Idaho offers ruffed grouse, blue grouse, chukar, Hungarian partridge, California quail, pheasants, and sharptails. The Hell's Canyon region is particularly productive, and there's no shortage of public land.

Minnesota — The Land of 10,000 Lakes is also prime ruffed grouse and woodcock territory. The northern forests, especially around Bemidji and Grand Rapids, offer classic north woods bird hunting.

Texas — The quail capital. South Texas and the Panhandle hold bobwhites and scaled quail in numbers you won't find elsewhere. The plantation-style quail hunting tradition here is legendary.

Nevada — The self-proclaimed "Chukar Capital of the Country." Long seasons, liberal bag limits, and millions of acres of BLM land make Nevada a destination for anyone willing to hike vertical miles.

Oregon — The Columbia Basin offers excellent mixed-bag opportunities for pheasants, quail, chukar, and Hungarian partridge. The eastern part of the state is particularly productive.

Upland Hunting Dogs: Pointers vs. Flushers

You can hunt upland birds without a dog. But you probably shouldn't. A dog's nose is literally a million times more sensitive than yours. A good bird dog will find more birds, pin runners, and recover cripples you'd never see. Without a dog, you might lose 3 out of every 10 birds you shoot. With a well-trained retriever, that number drops to almost zero.

Upland dogs fall into two categories:

Pointing Dogs freeze when they smell game, giving you time to walk up and prepare for the flush. Popular pointing breeds include German Shorthaired Pointers (GSPs), English Setters, English Pointers, Brittanys, and German Wirehaired Pointers (GWPs). Pointing dogs excel in big country where they can range out and cover ground. GSPs are currently the most popular breed among upland hunters, combining pointing instinct with excellent retrieving ability.

Flushing Dogs dive into cover and push birds into the air within shotgun range. English Springer Spaniels, English Cocker Spaniels, and Labrador Retrievers are the most common flushers. Flushers work best in heavy cover and for hunters who prefer a close-working dog. A well-trained flusher's body language gives you just enough warning to mount your gun before the bird goes airborne.

Choosing between a pointer and a flusher depends on how you hunt, where you hunt, and personal preference. Pointing dogs give you time to compose yourself before the shot. Flushing dogs keep the action fast and close. Many hunters end up with one of each.

If you're new to bird dogs, consider hunting with someone who has a good dog before buying your own. It's a 12-15 year commitment, and the dog you choose should match your hunting style and lifestyle.

Choosing the Right Shotgun

An upland gun should be light enough to carry all day and heavy enough to shoot well. Most serious upland hunters target guns in the 6 to 6¾ pound range.

Gauge Selection

12 Gauge — The most versatile option. You can load it light for quail or heavy for late-season pheasants. The downside is weight—most 12-gauge guns tip the scales at 7+ pounds.

20 Gauge — The sweet spot for most upland hunters. Modern 20-gauge loads are remarkably effective, and the guns are noticeably lighter. A 20-gauge over/under or semi-auto is hard to beat as an all-around upland gun.

16 Gauge — The "gentleman's gauge" is making a comeback. Browning's Sweet 16 A5 sparked a small revival, offering 12-gauge performance in a lighter package.

28 Gauge — Light, fast, and plenty effective inside 30 yards. The 28 gauge has a cult following among grouse and woodcock hunters who appreciate its minimal recoil and quick handling.

Action Types

Over/Under — The classic choice. Reliable, well-balanced, and available with two different chokes for first and follow-up shots. Popular models include the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon, Browning Citori, and CZ Bobwhite.

Semi-Auto — Lighter recoil and a third shot. The Browning A5, Beretta A400 Upland, and Benelli Montefeltro are favorites. Modern gas and inertia systems are extremely reliable.

Pump — Affordable and dependable. The Remington 870 Wingmaster has taken more birds than any other pump ever made.

Side-by-Side — Traditional and beautiful. Side-by-sides handle quickly and carry elegantly, though they're less common today.

Choke Selection

Most upland shots happen inside 30 yards. You don't need as much choke as you think.

• Cylinder/Skeet — 15-25 yards. Perfect for grouse and woodcock in thick cover.
• Improved Cylinder — 20-30 yards. The workhorse for most upland situations.
• Modified — 25-35 yards. Good all-around choice for pheasants and prairie birds.
• Improved Modified/Full — 30-45 yards. Late season birds and open country.

For most hunting behind a pointing dog, Improved Cylinder in the first barrel and Modified in the second is hard to beat.

Essential Upland Gear

Boots — Your most important piece of equipment. Upland hunting is walking, and your boots need to support your ankles over uneven terrain while keeping your feet dry. Most hunters prefer 8-inch leather or leather/Cordura boots with minimal insulation. Brands like Danner, Meindl, and Irish Setter make excellent upland-specific models. If you hunt wet, flat ground, knee-high rubber boots work well for pheasants.

Vest — Your command center for shells, water, snacks, a leash, and dead birds. Choose a vest with a large game bag (especially for pheasants), easily accessible shell pockets, and plenty of blaze orange. The Final Rise Summit and Filson Upland vests are favorites. Strap vests are lighter and more breathable; traditional vests offer more coverage and warmth.

Pants — Upland pants take a beating from thorns, briars, and brush. Look for brush-resistant facing on the front and waterproof material if you hunt wet grass. Gamehide, Cabela's Instinct Prairie Runner, and Scheels Endeavor are popular choices. Brush chaps are a lighter alternative that slip over regular pants.

Blaze Orange — Not optional. Most states require it, and even where they don't, you should wear it. Quick shoot/don't shoot decisions are easier when you can see everyone in your party. Birds don't see orange the way we do—it won't hurt your success.

Shooting Glasses — Protect your eyes from stray pellets and branches. A reddish-orange tint helps pick up birds against the sky.

Dog Gear — If you're running a dog, pack a collapsible water bowl, first aid kit (for the dog), GPS collar, bell or beeper collar, and a lead. Garmin's Pro 550 Plus with TT25 collars is the gold standard for GPS tracking.

Safety in the Uplands

Upland hunting requires quick decisions. Follow these rules religiously:

• Keep your muzzle pointed up. It's the safest direction in thick cover.
• Only shoot if you can see sky below your target. Protect both people and dogs.
• Wear blaze orange—cap and vest at minimum.
• Unload when crossing fences, ditches, or obstacles.
• Know where every member of your party is at all times.
• Never shoot at low-flying birds.
• Be especially careful in group pushes and driven hunts.

The Role of Conservation

When forests mature, when prairie is plowed under, when agriculture irons out the wrinkles in the land, birds have nowhere to live. Upland hunters understand this better than anyone—we venture into these habitats and see the changes firsthand.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are the nation's leading upland habitat conservation organizations. With over 149,000 members and 700 chapters, they've impacted millions of acres through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), private land conservation projects, and partnerships with state and federal agencies. Unlike most conservation groups, 100% of locally raised chapter funds stay in the local community.

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has been the single most important program for upland bird habitat. At its peak in 2007, CRP enrolled 36.7 million acres of marginal farmland into native grass and wildlife cover. Bird populations responded dramatically. Since then, enrollment has dropped, and bird numbers have followed. Supporting CRP through your representatives matters.

Walk-In Hunting Programs (like Kansas WIHA, South Dakota Walk-In Areas, and Montana Block Management) open millions of acres of private land to public hunting while compensating landowners. These programs need hunter support and participation to survive.

Every license, stamp, and piece of ammunition you buy contributes to conservation through excise taxes. But direct involvement—joining Pheasants Forever, attending banquets, volunteering for habitat projects—makes an even bigger difference.

Planning Your Trip

A multi-day upland trip involves serious logistics: lodging, vehicles, dogs, coolers, and a crew that may or may not get along after three days of walking.

Before You Go

• Check state regulations for license requirements, season dates, and shooting hours. Kansas and Nebraska hunters can start at sunrise; South Dakota makes you wait until 10 a.m. on opener.
• Know the non-toxic shot rules. Some public areas and refuges require steel shot even for upland birds.
• Download the onX Hunt app or your state's public land maps. WIHA boundaries, public hunting areas, and walk-in access are all mapped.
• Make lodging reservations early, especially during opener weeks in prime states.
• Coordinate gear and expenses with your crew before you leave.

Expenses to Track

If you're splitting costs with a group—and you should be—keep track of these common expenses:

• Lodge deposits and nightly rates
• Rental vehicles and fuel
• Bird cleaning and processing
• Meals and groceries
• Guide and handler tips
• Land access fees

This is exactly why we built Field & Tally. Instead of fumbling with spreadsheets at the bar or nagging guys for Venmo payments all winter, you log expenses in real-time and settle up with one tap at the end of the trip.

---

The Bottom Line: Upland hunting is accessible, endlessly varied, and deeply rewarding. You can start with just boots and a borrowed shotgun, or spend a lifetime acquiring dogs, guns, and gear. Either way, you're joining a tradition that stretches back generations and contributes directly to conserving the wild places we all love.

Get out there. Walk the grass. Watch the dog work. And when that rooster flushes—don't forget to breathe.

Plan the trip. Hit the field. Split the tab. Start your upland hunt for free on Field & Tally.