Sharp-tailed Grouse Hunting
The DNR annually decides whether the sharp-tailed grouse population can sustain a hunt. This decision is based on several available data sources, as well as a recommendation from the Sharp-tailed Grouse Advisory Committee. If the population can sustain a harvest, then the DNR will announce a hunting season for that year. This year, both the Sharp-tailed Grouse Advisory Committee and department biologists agreed that the population had recovered enough for a limited hunt. This fall will be the first hunt since 2018.
Since this is a limited hunt, all interested hunters must apply for a lottery to have a chance at an authorization. The application period runs from June 30 to Aug. 1. Check out the Applications and Hunting Licenses tab for full details.
Season Dates, Regulations and Hours
Regulations
All regulations can be found the DNR's Hunting Hours and Regulations webpage. Please visit this webpage for regulations, hunting hours and more.
Hours
Hunting hours vary depending on the time of year and location (northern or southern half of the state). Hunters can use the following documents to check hunting hours in the part of the state they hunt. For more information, see the Hunting Regulations webpage.
Season Dates
All season dates can be found on the Hunting Season Dates webpage. The sharp-tailed grouse hunting season will run from Oct. 18 to Nov. 9, 2025. There is also a printable version of the season dates list for those who prefer to have a physical copy.
Purchase A Hunting License
Wisconsin has made it easy to buy licenses and registrations. Hunters can manage all their hunting applications and licenses through Go Wild. In-person purchases are still available for interested hunters. Check out the list of license sale locations to find one near you.
Hunter Application Period
The sharp-tailed grouse population has recovered a good amount in recent years. However, the population can only sustain a limited harvest without negative impacts on the population. Thus, only a limited number of hunters will be allowed to participate in the hunt. These hunters will be chosen by a random lottery system, similar to how authorizations are awarded for elk or black bear.
An application period will run from June 30 until Aug. 1, and all interested hunters must apply by the deadline to have a chance at winning this lottery. Preference points from prior years will be honored.
NOTE: A person authorized to purchase a license for a permit or harvest authorization issued under a cumulative preference drawing may transfer their awarded permit or harvest authorization to another who meets the required qualifications on the Authorization Transfer webpage.
Where To Hunt
Find Properties Open To Public Hunting
- Voluntary Public Access program
- Through this program, hundreds of landowners have opened their land to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife viewing. Over 30,000 acres of private land are accessible to the public and can be found using the VPA interactive map.
- Public land access
- From hunting and fishing to camping and hiking, use this resource to find everything you need to enjoy the outdoors.
Where To Hunt For Sharp-tailed Grouse
Sharp-tailed grouse primarily use barrens habitat. Hunters are recommended to seek out these barrens habitats when locating sharp-tailed grouse. The DNR has several tools to help hunters look at potential hunting grounds before they go.
- Fields & Forest Lands Interactive Gamebird Hunting Tool (FFLIGHT)
- Use this interactive map to find public land and suitable habitat for grouse.
- Public land access
- From hunting and fishing to camping and hiking, use this resource to find everything you need to enjoy the outdoors.
Hunting Safety Tips
- Follow the four rules of basic firearm safety – TAB-K.
- T = Treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Never assume a gun is unloaded, and never treat it that way, even if you watch as it is unloaded. Make it a habit to treat guns like they are always loaded.
- A = Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. About one-third of all hunting incidents are self-inflicted injuries. That means the muzzle was pointed at some part of the hunter's body. A safe approach is where the bullet will travel and harm no one in the event of an unwanted discharge. There are no accidental discharges with firearms, only unwanted discharges.
- B = Be sure of your target and what's beyond it. Positive target identification is a must. To shoot at something you only think is a legal target is gambling. In the case of human injury, that means gambling on human life. You must be specific and correct in judgment before deciding to shoot. Otherwise, it's reckless behavior. In addition to identifying the target, a hunter must know that a safe backstop for their bullet is present in every shooting situation. We don't always hit our target; in some cases, the bullet passes through the target. A safe backstop guarantees that no one will get hurt.
- K = Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. If a hunter stumbles with a firearm in one hand and nothing in the other, whatever that person does with their free hand will automatically happen with the hand holding the gun. If a finger is inside the trigger guard, that hand will likely close around the gun's pistol grip and on the trigger, causing an unwanted discharge.
Species Management
Visit the Sharp-tailed Grouse Management webpage for more information on how the DNR and partners across the state are helping restore suitable habitat for sharp-tailed grouse.