Ruffed grouse, also known as partridge, are a popular game bird for hunting in North Dakota. The best areas to hunt ruffed grouse in North Dakota are in the northeastern part of the state in the Turtle Mountains and along the Red River Valley.
When is ruffed grouse season in North Dakota?
The ruffed grouse hunting season in North Dakota typically runs from early September through January. Here are the key dates for the 2022-2023 ruffed grouse hunting season in North Dakota:
- Opening Day: September 10, 2022
- Closing Day: January 8, 2023
So the full ruffed grouse season for 2022-2023 is approximately 4 months long, giving hunters ample time to bag their limits.
What is the daily bag limit for ruffed grouse in North Dakota?
The daily bag limit for ruffed grouse is 3 birds per day in North Dakota. The possession limit is 12 birds. This allows hunters to harvest up to 3 ruffed grouse per day across the 4 month season.
Where are the best public hunting areas for ruffed grouse in North Dakota?
Here are some of the top public land hunting areas for ruffed grouse in North Dakota:
- Turtle Mountains
- Pembina Hills
- Stump Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Willow Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Kelly’s Slough National Wildlife Refuge
- Sully’s Hill National Game Preserve
- J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
The Turtle Mountains area and Pembina Hills in northeast North Dakota tend to be the most popular and productive public areas for hunting ruffed grouse. These areas offer a mix of aspen and birch forests that ruffed grouse prefer.
Turtle Mountains
The Turtle Mountains are located along the North Dakota-Manitoba border. The Turtle Mountains area includes a mix of national forest and state forest lands that are open to public hunting. Within the Turtle Mountains, some of the top specific public hunting areas include:
- Turtle River State Forest
- Round Hill Creek Forest Reserve
- Cottonwood Lake Public Hunting Area
Pembina Hills
The Pembina Hills region offers excellent ruffed grouse habitat in northeast North Dakota. Some public hunting areas to target in the Pembina Hills include:
- Pembina Gorge Wildlife Management Area
- North Dakota Parks & Rec Pembina Hills Recreation Area
- Walhalla State Forest
What tactics work best for hunting ruffed grouse in North Dakota?
Here are some tips and tactics for having success hunting ruffed grouse in North Dakota:
- Search areas with dense aspen stands, especially younger growth aspen forests that provide cover and food sources.
- Target forest edges and look for areas where two habitat types meet, like the transition from hardwood forest to open fields.
- Listen for the characteristic “drumming” sound male ruffed grouse make when they rapidly beat their wings.
- Use shotguns with a modified or full choke and shells loaded with #6-8 shot size.
- Bring a trained bird dog to help locate and flush grouse.
- Concentrate hunting early and late in the day when grouse activity peaks.
- wear blaze orange for safety during rifle deer season which overlaps with ruffed grouse.
What are characteristics of good ruffed grouse habitat?
Ruffed grouse thrive in habitats that provide a mix of dense cover and food sources. Here are optimal habitat characteristics to look for when scouting areas to hunt ruffed grouse:
- Dense stands of young aspen trees that are 5-20 years old – this provides food and cover
- Areas with birch, hazel, and alder shrubs that produce buds and catkins for food
- Forest edges that transition from hardwood trees to open spaces
- Presence of clover or herbaceous ground cover that supplies additional food sources
- Logs, stumps, and fallen limbs that allow drumming
- Access to water from streams, ponds, or wetlands
Focus on public land areas that provide a mosaic of young aspen, forest openings, and brushy cover. Clearcuts that have regrown into dense young aspen stands can be productive areas to target.
What is the typical habitat of ruffed grouse?
Ruffed grouse are most associated with aspen forests and thrive in areas with a mix of dense brush and young deciduous trees. Here are some key facts about prime ruffed grouse habitat:
- Require stands of Aspen less than 20 years old – this allows buds, catkins, flowers for food
- Depend on aspen stands larger than 5 acres but will use smaller stands
- Prefer a mosaic of different age/height aspen stands
- Make use of forest edge habitat along borders of hardwoods and openings
- Areas with birch, alder, hazel, dogwood, and hawthorn also provide prime cover and food sources
Ruffed grouse are a forest dependent species closely tied to the aspen ecosystem. When scouting new hunting areas, look for signs of young aspen stands and areas where selective logging has created a diverse mix of vegetation. Clearcuts that are 5-15 years into regrowth are prime spots.
What do ruffed grouse eat?
Ruffed grouse are omnivores that will eat buds, fruits, seeds, insects, and other foods. Here is a breakdown of the ruffed grouse diet by season:
Spring
- Buds and catkins of aspen, birch, hazel, and other hardwoods
- Insects and larvae
- Green grasses and clover
- Dandelions, berries, and fruits
Summer
- Insects like beetles, ants, and moths
- Berries from hawthorn, dogwood, and other shrubs
- Leaves, buds, flowers of aspen, alder, and birch
- Seeds of forbs, grasses, and grains
Fall
- Acorns from oak trees
- Hazelnuts
- Wild grapes and fruits
- Seeds and agricultural grains
- Harvested alfalfa and clover
Winter
- Conifer needles and buds of fir, pine
- Seeds of birch, aspen, dogwood, and sumac
- Buds of poplar, apple, chokecherry
- Sumac and rose hips
This varied diet allows ruffed grouse to thrive across the seasons. When scouting new hunting areas, look for a diversity of shrubs, trees, and openings that can provide food sources year-round.
Conclusion
For excellent ruffed grouse hunting opportunities in North Dakota, focus efforts on the aspen parklands habitat in the northeastern part of the state. Areas like the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills provide prime public land habitat. Hunt forest openings in the early morning and evenings, use an experienced bird dog to increase flushing success, and look for regrown aspen clearcuts less than 20 years old. A diversity of trees, brush, openings, and edges will hold the most birds throughout the long hunting season.