How to identify it
Species it is confused with
Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.
- Spruce grouse · Canachites canadensis
Field notes
- Identification Do not resolve “partridge” directly to ruffed grouse. That regional name is ambiguous, and Ontario's grouse rules differ among WMU groups. Confirm the species and the applicable row in the current official table.
Where it lives
Deciduous and mixed forests, especially with scattered clearings and dense undergrowth, and overgrown pastures. [1][2][3]
How it behaves
In spring, the male stands on a log and beats the air with his wings, producing a drumming sound that rapidly speeds up. [1][2][3]
Permanent resident, but may shift short distances to denser cover for winter. [1][2][3]
Feeds on buds, twigs, leaves, catkins, berries and seeds; tree buds are key in winter, especially in the far north when ground food is under snow. [1][2][3]
Forages on the ground, in bushes and high in trees; the female gives soft, hen-like clucks. [1][2][3]
What changes by season
Habitat use and food change through the year. In northern forests, buds and twigs become important from fall through spring, while conifers can provide winter shelter. [5]
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Field notes
- Legal This knowledge does not determine legality. Use the regulatory result for the resolved WMU and date, review the official Ontario source, and check municipal, land-access and firearms restrictions that the season table does not resolve.
Where legal take is listed
- Alberta — hunting · 2026 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations
- British Columbia — hunting · 2026-2028 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis
- Manitoba — hunting · Manitoba Hunting Guide 2026
- New Brunswick — hunting · Hunt & Trap Regulations Summary 2026–2027
- Newfoundland and Labrador — hunting, trapping · 2026-27 Hunting and Trapping Guide
- Northwest Territories — hunting · NWT Summary of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, July 1 2022 - June 30 2023
- Nova Scotia — hunting · 2026 Hunting and Fur Harvesting Summary of Regulations
- Ontario — hunting · Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary — Small game and furbearing mammals
- Prince Edward Island — hunting · Wildlife Conservation Act — Hunting and Trapping Seasons Regulations (consolidated to 2022-09-03)
- Québec — hunting · Périodes de chasse au petit gibier 2026-2028
- Saskatchewan — hunting · Saskatchewan Hunters Guide 2026-27
- Alaska — hunting · 2026-2027 Alaska Hunting Regulations: Fur Animals, Small Game, Unclassified Game, and Deleterious Exotic Wildlife (pp.140-142)
- California — hunting · 2026-2027 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations
- Connecticut — hunting · 2026 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide
- Georgia — hunting · 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations and Seasons (official WRD guide, publuu-hosted PDF, p.16)
- Idaho — hunting · Upland Game, Turkey & Furbearer 2026 & 2027 Seasons & Rules
- Iowa — hunting · 2026-27 Iowa Hunting, Trapping & Migratory Game Bird Regulations (DNR PDF; page numbers cited)
- Kentucky — hunting · Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, August 2026-March 2027
- Maine — hunting · 2026-27 Maine Hunting Seasons (Summary of Laws & Rules)
- Maryland — hunting · 2026-27 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping (official guide, linked from dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide)
- Minnesota — hunting · Minnesota Hunting & Trapping Regulations (effective July 2026 - June 30, 2027)
- Montana — hunting · 2026 Upland Game Bird Hunting Regulations
- Nevada — hunting · CR 26-13 2026-27 & 2027-28 Seasons, Bag Limits ... Upland Game Birds, Rabbits, Wild Turkey, Furbearers
- New Hampshire — hunting · Fis 300 Wildlife Seasons and Rules
- North Carolina — hunting · Hunting and Trapping Season Dates for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027 (NCWRC)
- North Dakota — hunting · 2026-2027 Small Game, Waterfowl and Furbearer Proclamation
- Ohio — hunting · Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27 (effective 1 Sep 2026-31 Aug 2027); PDF read from cached copy
- Oregon — hunting · 2026-27 Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations (official ODFW booklet)
- Pennsylvania — hunting · 2026-27 Seasons and Bag Limits
- South Carolina — hunting · 2026-2027 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Laws and Regulations Guide
- South Dakota — hunting · 2026 South Dakota Hunting and Trapping Handbook
- Tennessee — hunting · Summary of Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Seasons Dates | TWRA
- Utah — hunting · 2026-27 Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook
- Vermont — hunting · 2026 Vermont Guide to Hunting & Trapping Laws (official lawbook, publisher-hosted)
- Virginia — hunting · Small Game Hunting Regulations and Seasons | Virginia DWR
- Washington — hunting · 2026 Washington Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Regulations (Jul 1 2026 - Jun 30 2027)
- West Virginia — hunting · West Virginia 2026-2027 Hunting Season Dates | WVDNR
- Wisconsin — hunting · 2026 Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Seasons PUB-CS-076-2026 (updated 06/08/2026)
- Wyoming — hunting · WGFC Ch. 11 Upland Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Seasons (dated Apr 22 2026)
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
The most widespread grouse in North America, found in forests from Alaska across Western and Eastern Canada and south to Georgia, including the Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes and New England.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
National Audubon Society · reviewed 2026-09-30
National Audubon Society
- BIOLOGICALRuffed Grouse
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection · reviewed 2026-09-30
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- BIOLOGICALRuffed Grouse
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department · reviewed 2026-09-30
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
- BIOLOGICALRuffed Grouse population status
Government of Canada · reviewed 2026-09-20
Environment and Climate Change Canada
- BIOLOGICALBonasa umbellus, ruffed grouse
U.S. Department of Agriculture · reviewed 2026-09-20
U.S. Forest Service Research and Development