California is home to a wide variety of game birds. Upland slam hunters can add several unique species to the list from one hunt in California. We target mountain quail, California (valley) quail, sooty grouse, ruffed grouse, and band-tailed pigeons. Doves can be found incidental to hunting other species, though we don’t offer dove specific hunts. We are actively working on adding chukar and Gambel’s quail properties to the list.
All of our upland bird hunts are over pointing dogs that are also trained to retrieve.
Mountain Quail
If we had to choose one upland bird to hunt the rest of our life, it would have to be the mountain quail. If it wasn’t for the beautiful landscapes they call home, they win the award for craftiness and excellent table fare. As the name implies, these are the birds of the mountains. The mountain quail loves brush choked hillsides next to water. It’s common to find mountain quail in the vicinity of sooty grouse, ruffed grouse, band-tailed pigeon, and squirrel, depending on the part of the state. We also find valley quail in the same spots as mountain quail in some lower elevation locations, especially late in the season. The season starts early, runs late, and bag limits are generous. There is no place better than California to chase mountain quail.
2024-25 Q1 General Season: TBD – Typically early September to late January
Daily Bag limit: 10 combined quail
California (Valley) Quail
As the name implies valley quail inhabit lower elevation valleys throughout California. They can also be found higher in altitude along the mountain foothills and high desert riparian areas. Thick briars and brush pockets intermixed with grassy openings are the perfect place to begin the search. During optimally wet years the valley quail hatches can be large and winter flocks in the dozens. When cooperative they can hold tight for dogs and explode like bullets out of the briars.
Valley quail hunts can be effectively combined with mountain quail, squirrel, dove, and rabbit hunting.
2024-25 General Season: TBD – Typically mid-October to late January
Daily Bag limit: 10 combined quail
Sooty (Blue) Grouse
Another favorite for the amazing terrain they call home. Sooty grouse are birds of the mountains. When the valley is still scorching hot in September, go high for a sooty grouse hunt. Commonly found along the edges of mountain meadows where a brush or conifer pocket meet. To some they are just a dumb bird, to target them with dogs is a totally different experience that won’t be easily topped.
2024 General Season: TBD
Daily Bag limit: 2 combined grouse
Ruffed Grouse
California isn’t known for its ruffed grouse. Only a small portion of the state has them, but where they do occur it can be just as exciting and challenging as hunting them anywhere. Living in alder choked riparian areas of the North Coast of California is where they are targeted. Like all Ruffed Grouse – it takes a good dog to navigate the rough terrain and an even better shot to hit one through the trees. The subspecies of ruffed grouse in California has a beautiful russet color tail fan.
2024 General Season: TBD
Daily Bag limit: 2 combined grouse
Band-tailed Pigeon
The little-known band-tailed pigeon is nothing like the feral pigeons at the local feed store. For a short window during autumn band-tailed pigeons can be seen in large flocks along mountain ridge tops in Northern California before they fly south further. Few hunters target the band-tailed because the opener coincides with the opener of general deer and bear season. For that reason, most band-tailed pigeon harvest is incidental to a deer or bear hunt. For those interested in some fast shooting this is the hunt for you. The season only lasts for one week but during that week you can find excellent shooting where tall roost trees are growing near prominent ridges.The hardest part is often finding the downed bird off the cliff – that’s where the dogs come in.
2024 General Season: TBD
Daily Bag limit: 2
Rates – Upland and Migratory Bird Hunts
Rate chart for upland hunting below. Prices include meals and accommodations. These are some common trip lengths, as we offer trips of nearly any duration.
Rates are per person.
| 1 day 0 night | 1 day 1 night | 1 day 2 nights | 2 day 2 nights | 2 day 3 nights | 3 day 3 nights | 3 day 4 nights | 4 day 4 nights |
| $400 | $600 | $800 | $1,200 | $1,400 | $1,800 | $2,000 | $2,400 |
Extra nights = $200
Extra days = $400
For combination hunts you should have a focus species in mind. The rate is the price for the species that cost the most to hunt. Squirrel and predator hunts are the same price.
Inclusions
- A knowledgeable and experienced guide.
- Transportation from a pre-arranged meeting location to the field.
- Deli-style lunch.
- Non-alcoholic beverages.
- Breakfast and dinner for all inclusive hunts.
- Lodging for paid nights – sleeping arrangements vary by hunt type and guest preferences.
- Field care (plucking and gutting).
Exclusions
- Hunting license and any applicable stamps and validations.
- Personnel effects, daypack/vest, and clothing. Gear list will be provided. If you do need something let us know and we can usually work with you.
- Weapon and ammunition. Practice with your method of take. Plan to be accurate with archery equipment out to 35 yards and pattern your shotgun.
- Alcohol or tobacco products – no alcohol may be consumed before or while hunting.
- Lodging and meals for before and after the hunt dates.
- Transportation to the pre-arranged meeting location.
- Storage, butchering and processing of game beyond the basic field care. It can be hot, have a plan in place for the turkey after the trip.
- Taxidermy services.
Please give us a call to book a one-of-a-kind upland hunting trip.
