2019-20 Ruffed Grouse Hunting Season Shortened in Zone A

2019-20 Ruffed Grouse Hunting Season Shortened in Zone A

Ruffed Grouse - Photo credit: Ryan Brady
Ruffed GrousePhoto credit: Ryan Brady

Contact(s): Mark Witecha, DNR upland wildlife ecologist, 608-267-7861, Mark.Witecha@wisconsin.gov or Alaina Gerrits, DNR assistant upland wildlife Ecologist, 608-261-8458, Alaina.Gerrits@wisconsin.gov

MADISON, Wis. – An emergency rule will move the season closing date for ruffed grouse hunting in Zone A from Jan. 31, 2020 to Jan. 5, 2020. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approved this emergency rule at its Sept. 25 meeting. The rule will go into effect on Friday, Nov. 8.

 - Photo credit: DNR
Photo credit: DNR

The ruffed grouse season opened Sept. 14 in Zone A. The emergency rule does not impact season dates for Zone B, which runs from Oct. 19 to Dec. 8. Bag limits remain at five birds in Zone A and three birds in Zone B.

Emergency rules are effective for 150 days, so the early closure only applies to the 2019-20 season. However, the Department of Natural Resources’ draft ruffed grouse management plan recommends a permanent rule change to close the ruffed grouse season in Zone A on the Sunday nearest Jan. 6. The management plan and permanent rule changes will be presented at the December Natural Resources Board meeting