There’s something special about a September morning in Price County. The air is getting cooler, the first fall colors are beginning to show, and miles of Northwoods are waiting to be explored.
For Wisconsin’s upland bird hunters, it also means ruffed grouse season is here.
The 2026 ruffed grouse season is underway in northern Wisconsin, and Price County offers hunters access to an incredible amount of public land, diverse forest habitat and miles of backroads and trails to explore.
Whether you’ve hunted here for years or you’re looking for somewhere new to follow the dog into the woods, fall is a great time to discover Price County.
Welcome to Grouse Country
If you head north through Price County, you’ll eventually find yourself in Park Falls, known as the “Ruffed Grouse Capital of the World.”
It’s a fitting title for this corner of Wisconsin’s Northwoods. The Park Falls area is surrounded by extensively managed ruffed grouse habitat, and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Flambeau River State Forest, Price County Forest and other public lands provide hunters with an enormous amount of country to explore.
Ruffed grouse thrive in young, early-successional forests, particularly areas with dense woody cover. Aspen and alder habitat can be especially attractive to grouse, which is one reason active forest management plays such an important role in maintaining grouse habitat across northern Wisconsin.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, Zone A ruffed grouse season runs September 12, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with a daily bag limit of five birds.
Before heading into the woods, check the latest Wisconsin DNR ruffed grouse hunting information and the 2026-27 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations.
Find Your Own Piece of Grouse Country
We’re not going to give away anyone’s favorite grouse covert, but we can give you the tools to find your own.
One of the best resources available to hunters is the Wisconsin DNR’s Fields & Forest Lands Interactive Gamebird Hunting Tool, better known as FFLIGHT.
The tool helps hunters locate public land and habitat suitable for ruffed grouse and woodcock, including young aspen and lowland alder stands.
Use the Wisconsin DNR FFLIGHT mapping tool before your trip to scout potential areas and start planning your hunt.
Hunters can also explore Wisconsin DNR public-access lands and hunting resources for additional state-managed properties and public access opportunities.
Explore the Price County Forest
You don’t have to look far to find public land in Price County.
The Price County Forest provides extensive opportunities for hunting and outdoor recreation throughout the county. A great place to start planning is the county’s Price County Forest Road Use Map.
The map identifies Price County Forest land, State of Wisconsin land and U.S. Forest Service land, along with woods roads, non-motorized areas, highways, trails and designated motorized routes.
Hunters should remember that access rules can vary depending on the property and road. Always pay attention to posted signs and current land-use regulations when heading into the woods.
For additional local maps and land information, visit the Price County Forestry & Parks Department.
Try a State Wildlife Area
State-managed land provides even more opportunities.
One local option is the Kimberly Clark Wildlife Area, located approximately 12 miles west of Phillips. The roughly 8,800-acre property contains hardwood forests, conifer bogs, wetlands, grasslands and other habitat, along with miles of gated hunter walking trails.
Ruffed grouse hunting is among the recreational opportunities available on the property.
Learn more and find property information through the Wisconsin DNR Kimberly Clark Wildlife Area page.
Hunters looking farther afield can also use the DNR’s public-land resources to locate other state wildlife areas and lands open to hunting.
More Public Land Than You Might Think
Public hunting opportunities aren’t limited to county, state and federal forests.
Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law (MFL) and Forest Crop Law (FCL) programs include privately owned forest lands that are open to certain types of public recreation.
MFL lands designated as open allow public hunting, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and cross-country skiing. FCL lands allow public hunting and fishing.
The DNR provides maps and current information to help hunters determine which properties are open. Visit the DNR’s Tax Law Lands Open to Public Recreation resource before accessing these properties.
Remember that access rules matter. Open MFL and FCL lands generally allow foot travel only unless the landowner has granted permission for motorized access.
Don’t Rely on Just Any Map
Digital maps are incredibly helpful when scouting, but hunters should make sure they’re using reliable information.
The Wisconsin DNR cautions that third-party mapping applications may show inaccurate property boundaries. DNR mapping tools should be used for DNR-managed properties, while ownership and access for county, federal, tribal and other lands should be confirmed through the appropriate land manager.
Most importantly, on-the-ground postings and property boundary signs should always be respected.
Want a Map You Can Hold?
Sometimes there’s still no replacement for spreading out a paper map before heading into the woods.
Stop in at either the Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce or the Park Falls Area Chamber of Commerce while you’re in Price County to pick up physical copies of local public hunting land maps and hunting regulations.
It’s also a great opportunity to ask questions, grab additional visitor information and find a few more things to do while you’re here.
Plan Your Hunt
Before heading out, bookmark these resources:
Wisconsin DNR
- 2026-27 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations
- Ruffed Grouse Hunting Information
- FFLIGHT Gamebird Hunting Tool
- Public and State-Managed Lands
- MFL and FCL Lands Open to Public Recreation
Price County
Always check current DNR regulations, season dates, property rules and posted signs before hunting.
Find Your Adventure in Price County
Ready to get outside? With hundreds of lakes, winding rivers, forests and miles of trails, Price County, Wisconsin is made for exploring. Cast a line and see if you can catch the biggest fish in Price County, launch the boat for a day on the water, hike through the Northwoods, explore our forests or find a quiet spot where the only thing on the schedule is enjoying the view. Before casting off, anglers can check the latest Wisconsin fishing regulations.
From Phillips and Park Falls to Prentice, Ogema, Fifield, Catawba, Kennan and beyond, every corner of Price County offers another reason to explore Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
Come experience it for yourself and discover your next outdoor adventure with Enjoy Price County.