The Best Times for Upland Game 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!

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 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 you are hunting pheasants or prairie grouse, 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 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, 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

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 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!

Download the app and explore every feature free for a week.