What are the 2025–26 ruffed grouse hunting regulations in Michigan?

Michigan ruffed grouse regulations, 2025–26

Last updated 2026-09-24 · from MDNR data · 2025–26 licence year

Michigan's 2025–26 ruffed grouse season runs September 15, 2025 to January 1, 2026 — 93 days afield. The bag is 5 per day, 10 in possession. Hunter orange is required. Read against the 2025–26 licence year, from MDNR.

Season and limits

Season: Ruffed grouse — September 15, 2025 to January 1, 2026
Bag limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession
Hunter orange: required Small game hunters must wear a hunter-orange cap, hat, vest, jacket or rain gear as the outermost garment, visible from all sides. Camouflage counts if it is at least 50% orange.
Sundays: No statewide Sunday closure for small game. A few counties restrict firearm hunting on private land under PA 319 of 1994 — not mapped here.

Split season — it closes for the two weeks of firearm deer and opens again December 1.

Licences

Base licence
Everyone, before any other licence — Required to hunt small game in Michigan, and it is what every other tag is added to.
Hunter safety certificate
Anyone born on or after 1 January 1960 — Or an apprentice licence, which lets an uncertified hunter hunt under supervision.
Federal HIP registration
Woodcock and every other migratory bird — Free, but not optional — it registers you with the federal harvest survey.
Free woodcock stamp
Woodcock hunters — Free and separate from HIP. Both are required.

The other questions

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Open the hunting map →Public land and bird cover, drawn for the bird you are after.