Upland game is a term for hunting upland birds such as quail, pheasant, grouse, woodcock, prairie chicken, chukar, grey partridge, and others. These birds prefer to live on the ground in heavy cover, which is why dogs are often used to help find them while hunting.
Some hunters prefer hunting wild upland birds, which are popular in less populated parts of the country, while others prefer hunting farmed birds.
Probably the most popular upland bird to hunt is the pheasant, and takes place in open fields where pheasants take shelter. However, upland birds can be found in a wide variety of habitats and hunting areas, which is one of the reasons why upland hunting is so popular.
What should you consider when planning your hunt to increase your chances of bringing home some of these birds? We've pulled some information together for you!
Updated September 26, 2025.
Finding the Best Times for Upland Game Hunting
The "best times" will depend on what you're hunting (quail, pheasant, grouse, etc.) and where you are. However, in general, hunters can apply some core insights when shooting the best time to hunt, whether it's dove hunting season or you're after another type of birds.
1. Focus on Peak Daily Activity Periods
Understanding when upland birds are most active can make a major difference in your hunt.
Early Morning: Birds are typically found near their roost sites. They're often tucked into thick cover where they seek safety and warmth after the night. For hunters, this is an excellent time to locate them before they disperse for feeding.
Late Afternoon (the “Golden Hour”): As daylight fades, birds begin moving from feeding areas back toward their roosts. This period offers prime hunting opportunities while birds are on the move and more visible in open terrain.
2. Target the Late Season for Best Results
Later in the pheasant hunting season (and dove season, etc.) can be better! The period of time after Thanksgiving going into December often produces excellent hunting conditions.
This can be an ideal time to hunt upland game because:
There's Less Competition: Many hunters have wrapped up their seasons, leaving fields and covers quieter and less pressured.
More Predictable Bird Patterns: With most crops harvested, birds’ movements become more consistent as they rely on remaining food sources and established cover areas. This predictability allows for more strategic and focused hunts.
If you're using HuntWise, you'll have excellent insights into upland bird movements throughout the season, including during these later months.
3. Adjust Timing for Specific Species
Not all upland birds behave the same. Different upland species have unique behaviors and activity patterns. Tailoring your timing to each can significantly increase success.
For example:
Pheasants: The “golden hour” for pheasant hunting is ideal during the late afternoon This is when birds transition between feeding and roosting areas.
Quail: These birds are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Hunting quail birds can be especially successful around grain fields and areas rich in seeds.
Chukar and Mountain Quail: Late-season hunting for these birds can be particularly productive. Focus on areas near water sources, where these birds often gather as other resources become scarce.
By aligning your hunt with natural bird behavior (both daily and seasonally) you can dramatically improve your chances of success while enjoying the rhythm of the upland landscape.
What to Consider When Hunting Upland Game
An excellent upland bird hunt is fun and rewarding. However, good planning can be the key to bringing home a bunch of birds vs. only a few (or none at all). Here are a few crucial factors to analyze before choosing a day and time to hunt!
The Location
Because upland birds call home in a wide variety of habitats, it is important to choose your location based on the type of species you want to hunt.
For example, if it's prairie grouse hunting season or pheasant season, you will find them mainly in the Midwest. However, other upland game, such as partridge and quail, are more likely to be found in the Western parts of the country.
Wherever you call home or plan to hunt, check state websites for the ideal locations to hunt the birds you're after. You can also use HuntWise and the app's mapping features to find the best local areas for upland game hunts.
The Solunar Calendar
In 1926, John Alden Knight developed a theory that some animal movement is affected by the position and fullness of the moon. Does that include birds?
It can! While you may not want to plan your hunt based solely on the phase of the moon, in general, birds are more active at night during a full moon. So, plan your hunt before or after a full moon to see more daytime bird activity.
Moon activity can also impact migration, as some birds prefer to migrate during a full moon.
The Time of Year
The time of year to hunt will vary depending on the type of upland species you are hunting and the open seasons for hunting in your area. For example, when hunting pheasants, we mentioned that mid-fall through early winter are the best times of year for hunting. This timing applies to other types of upland birds, too.
The Time of Day
Grouse
While many hunters prefer the early morning and evening hours for hunting upland game, don't make the mistake of packing it in too soon. Often, after most hunters break for lunch, the sounds of silence bring the birds back out from their hiding places.
Try staying out for a full day and watching the bird activity in your hunting area. If you only have a few hours to get out for a quick hunt, you can also use HuntWise and HuntCast to forecast the best time of day to hunt birds in the area.
The Temperature
The first cold spell of the season can produce some of the best hunting conditions for upland game. If you hunt upland birds with your hunting dogs, cold weather can help them smell for longer distances.
Barometric Pressure
Birds can be very sensitive to changes in air pressure. They instinctively take shelter if there is a large drop, so plan accordingly on days with low pressure.
Barometric pressure is also thought to affect the flight of birds, making their ability to fly better on days of low pressure.
General Weather Conditions
As a general rule of thumb, the worse the weather, the better for hunting upland birds.
So, prepare to brace the cold, rain, and wind to bad one of these birds for a successful day in the field. Mud and snow can also be excellent hunting conditions since the birds are easier to track in these conditions.
If you are hunting on a warm, dry day, look for upland game near areas with plenty of fresh water.
The Wind
Unlike other animals, high winds are a plus when hunting upland birds.
The sound of the wind covers your tracks and hides your location from the birds. Use the wind in your favor when hunting these birds by letting it serve as a noise camouflage.
With WindCast, you can set points on the map of your hunting area and then set the ideal wind direction to let the app help you choose the best spots on the best days and show you how to enter the field.
Use HuntWise to Target the Best Times for Upland Game Hunting
Upland game hunting can be challenging and exciting, but it should always be rewarding with the right approach. We hope these tips help you plan the ideal time to hunt these birds and fill your freezer with tasty meat!
Make sure you apply these tips along with the advantage you'll gain when using HuntWise. With the app, you have access to maps and map layers, markers, hunt predictions, and weather forecasting for up to 15 days with an Elite subscription. Plus, subscribers can save hundreds on gear with our many partners!
Content most recently reviewed and updated September 26, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about the best times for upland game hunting!
Q: What is the golden hour for pheasant hunting?
A: The “golden hour” is the late afternoon period just before sunset. This is when pheasants move from feeding areas back to their roosts, making them more active and easier to locate.
Q: What time of day is best for pheasant hunting?
A: Late afternoon is typically best. However, early morning can also be productive when birds are leaving roosts for feeding areas.
Q: What time are pheasants most active?
A: Pheasants are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, with peak movement during the “golden hour” before sunset.
Q: What is the best time of day to hunt quail?
A: Quail are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, especially around grain and seed fields.
Q: Is it better to hunt grouse in the morning or evening?
A: Morning hunts are generally better for grouse. This is when they feed and move more actively after leaving roost sites.
Q: What is the hardest upland bird to hunt?
A: Many hunters consider the chukar the hardest upland bird to hunt due to its steep, rocky habitat and tendency to run uphill before flushing.
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