Missouri › Species › Ruffed Grouse
No open season
Ruffed grouse in Missouri: no open season
Closed all year in Missouri: the rule, the reasons and legal alternatives.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
The legal status of ruffed grouse
No hunter or trapper may take ruffed grouse in Missouri this permit year; the reasons, the Code rule and the penalties below come from MDC and the Wildlife Code.
- MDC note: Season rule rescinded 2010.
- No open season: Season rule rescinded 2010; game bird with no open season.
| Listed as | Rule | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Game birds | No open season for gray partridge and ruffed grouse. |
MDC source, season table, checked October 29, 2026.
Wildlife protected alongside ruffed grouse
The Wildlife Code protects ruffed grouse along with these species and parts.
| Species or item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Mountain lion | No season. May be killed only when attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals or threatening human safety; report immediately and surrender the intact carcass within 24 hours. |
| Black-tailed jackrabbit | State endangered; jackrabbits may not be hunted or trapped at any time. |
| Eastern spotted skunk | State endangered; no season. |
| Greater prairie-chicken | State endangered; no season. |
| Bats (gray, Ozark big-eared, Indiana, northern long-eared) | State endangered. |
| Birds: northern harrier, interior least tern, Swainson's warbler, snowy egret, king rail, Bachman's sparrow, American bittern | State endangered. |
| Reptiles/amphibians: western chicken turtle, Blanding's turtle, yellow mud turtle, Mississippi green watersnake, eastern and prairie massasauga, eastern and Ozark hellbender | State endangered. |
| Long-tailed weasel | Furbearer with no open season. |
| Elk outside Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties | No legal harvest of free-ranging elk outside the elk hunting counties; report sightings. |
| Black bears with cubs or in dens | Only lone bears may be taken; denned bears may not be disturbed or taken. |
| Black bear gallbladders | May not be bought, sold, given away; extracted gallbladders may not be transported into or within Missouri. |
| Furbearer dens and nests | May not be molested or destroyed. |
General prohibition: No wildlife may be pursued, taken, possessed, sold, imported or released except as the Code allows (3 CSR 10-4.110); hours are prevailing local time.
Wildlife Code of Missouri chapters 4 and 7, checked October 29, 2026.
Open seasons instead of ruffed grouse
No ruffed grouse season, but these neighbors on the species list are open.
| Species | Season | Opens | Closes | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Woodcock | Woodcock season | Oct 18, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | 3 daily, 9 possession |
| Wild Turkey | Fall archery | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | 2 turkeys of either sex, archery and firearm |
| Wild Turkey | Fall archery, part 2 | Nov 25, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | As above |
| Gray Squirrel | Squirrel season | May 23, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | 10 daily, 20 possession |
Dates from the Fall Deer and Turkey booklet, waterfowl digest and hunting and trapping summary, checked October 29, 2026.
Ruffed Grouse poaching penalties
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Code violations | Taking, possessing or disposing of wildlife except as the Commission's rules permit is a misdemeanor (fur dealer record-keeping: infraction, $10-$100). |
| Hunting injury | The Commission may suspend, revoke or deny hunting privileges up to 5 years for injuring a person mistaken for game; hunter safety course required before restoration. |
| Point system and privilege revocation | Commission may suspend or revoke hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for multiple or major violations within 5 years regardless of court outcome (3 CSR 10-5.216 point system). |
| Hunter harassment (first degree) | Intentionally interfering with lawful taking of wildlife, including harassing game to disrupt hunting: class A misdemeanor. |
| Hunter harassment (second degree) | Entering or remaining in a hunting area intending to interfere: class B misdemeanor. |
| Failure to desist | Failing to obey an officer's order to stop such interference: class A misdemeanor; conservation agents may enforce. |
| Trespass in the first degree | Knowingly entering or remaining on fenced or posted land (or after notice): class B misdemeanor. |
| Trespass in the second degree | Entering another's land unlawfully: infraction (absolute liability). |
| Firearms accident duty | A hunter involved in a firearms-related accident must identify themselves and render assistance; failure is a class A misdemeanor (as stated by MDC). |
| Conservation lands | Motor vehicles only on designated roads (45 mph default); camping, shooting, tree stands etc. only as authorized; no dumping. |
| Operation Game Thief | Report violations to 800-392-1111; rewards available, callers may remain anonymous. |
- Owner protection of property: Most wildlife (not deer, elk, turkey, bear, mountain lion, endangered species) may be killed to stop property damage with agent permission when other measures fail.
- Definition of take: Killing, trapping, snaring, netting, capturing; pursuing, molesting, hunting, wounding; setting devices; and assisting another. Tracking wounded deer/turkey with a leashed dog or drone is excluded.
RSMo 252.040 and the other statutes linked from the hunting laws page, checked October 29, 2026. Missouri hunting laws.
Ruffed Grouse hunting FAQ
Which open seasons are closest to ruffed grouse?
american woodcock, wild turkey and gray squirrel have pages with dates and limits.
Is a ruffed grouse season planned?
The 2026 MDC booklets and the Wildlife Code pages read on October 29, 2026 show no ruffed grouse season; any change would come through the Conservation Commission and the Code.
Can ruffed grouse be trapped in Missouri?
No trapping season covers ruffed grouse either; the Code allows taking only as it permits (3 CSR 10-4.110), and the 2026 trapping tables carry no ruffed grouse row.
May a ruffed grouse be picked up and kept?
Not unless the Code allows it: No wildlife may be pursued, taken, possessed, sold, imported or released except as the Code allows (3 CSR 10-4.110); hours are prevailing local time.
Which body writes the rules on ruffed grouse?
The Wildlife Code of Missouri (Title 3, Division 10 of the Code of State Regulations) is adopted by the Conservation Commission under Mo. Const. Art. IV secs. 40-46; booklets incorporate the Code. Chapters used: 4 (general provisions), 5 (permits, fee schedule), 7 (seasons and methods), 8 (trapping), 9 (falconry), 20 (definitions).
Is ruffed grouse hunting allowed in Missouri?
No. No season: Season rule rescinded 2010.
Which Code list names ruffed grouse?
Game birds. No open season for gray partridge and ruffed grouse.
What penalty applies to ruffed grouse taken without a season?
Taking, possessing or disposing of wildlife except as the Commission's rules permit is a misdemeanor (fur dealer record-keeping: infraction, $10-$100). The Conservation Commission can also suspend or revoke privileges under the point system (3 CSR 10-5.216).
Can ruffed grouse poaching be reported anonymously?
Call Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111; rewards are offered and callers may stay anonymous.
Other photos on this page: Jena Fuller (CC BY-SA 2.0).