Bird hunting in Kootenai County: 2026-27 grouse, pheasant, turkey, ducks and geese

Upland birds
Forest grouse (ruffed, dusky and spruce) are open August 30, 2026 through January 31, 2027 in the Panhandle counties including Kootenai, with a daily limit of 4 and 12 in possession. California quail run September 15 to January 31 (10 a day). Chukar and gray partridge run the same dates (8 of each). Pheasant season is October 15 to December 31 for residents and October 20 to December 31 for nonresidents, with a youth week October 8 to 14. The limit is 3 roosters a day, 9 in possession, and hens may not be taken.

Turkey
Fall turkey, either sex, is open August 30 to January 31 in most Panhandle units, with the number you can take set by the tags you hold. Spring bearded turkey runs April 15 to May 25, with a limit of two. A youth-only spring hunt runs April 8 to 14.

Waterfowl
Ducks are open October 10 to January 22, with scaup starting October 29. The daily limit is 7, with sub-limits including 2 female mallards, 3 pintails and 2 scaup. Canada geese run November 3 to February 15 (5 a day). White-fronted geese run October 10 to January 22 (6 a day) and light geese the same dates (20 a day). Crows run October 27 to February 28.

What you need
A hunting license, a Migratory Bird (HIP) permit, and for waterfowl hunters 16 and older, a $25 federal duck stamp signed in ink if it is a paper stamp. Waterfowl hunting requires nontoxic shot, and shotguns must hold no more than three shells. Shooting hours for upland birds are half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.