What Is Upland Hunting?

If you’re psyched to get into the field and hunt birds, you’ll be going to either the wetlands or the uplands. The definition of wetlands is fairly obvious: swamps, marshes, or land along rivers or lakes that’s often under water or flooded—basically, land that stays wet. 

Uplands is not as intuitive. 

The smart-alec definition of uplands is, “the area between lowlands and highlands.” Specifically, Upland is generally considered to be land…at a higher elevation than the alluvial plain or stream terrace, which are considered to be lowlands. –Wikipedia 

Okay, that helps a bit. Read on and we’ll suss out the meaning of upland hunting.

The Four Main Types of Upland Birds

A better way to define upland hunting than by the terrain type alone, is to consider the types of birds you’ll pursue. These are the ‘big four’ upland bird species:

1. Ringneck pheasants – These are America's most popular upland gamebird. Each fall, more than two million people hunt them in states from Maine to California. In states with mainly wild birds, hunters are restricted to shooting the cackling, gaudy-colored males (called "roosters”). Pheasants are big birds, and most roosters are chicken-sized. In flight, they look even larger.
2. Bobwhite quail – The most common quail in North America (there are five others), a bobwhite will fit in your hand and weigh less than a softball. But when a covey of them busts in front of you, the thrill is huge. Huntable populations of wild bobwhites are found from Florida to the panhandle of Texas and as far north as Kansas.

• Ruffed grouse – Even though they're considered a Maine-to-Minnesota gamebird, ruffed grouse can be found in 39 states across the continental U.S. Pigeon sized, they get their name from the collar—or "ruff"—of dark feathers around their necks. Throughout the year, males "drum" to mark their territory. Come fall, both sexes thunder into the air when flushed.

1. American woodcock – The oddball of our four main upland gamebirds and the only ones among them that are migratory. American woodcock spend springs and summers in Maine, southern Canada, the Great Lakes area, and as far south as parts of West Virginia. In the fall, they migrate as far south as Louisiana and Texas.

Along with these four, other ‘upland’ species hunters pursue include chukar partridge and blue grouse in mountainous parts of the American West; Hungarian partridge and sharptail grouse in the Dakotas, into Montana, and in parts of Canada; and across the Southwest, other quail subspecies, including scaled, California, Gambel's, and Mearn's quail.

Where To Find Upland Birds

To find upland birds, you'll have to explore a lot of different terrain. Here's a crash course on where to hunt each one:

• Ringneck pheasants love corn and other agricultural grains. To hunt them, try areas in and around the fields where farmers raise these crops. Shelterbelts (tree- or shrub rows planted between active fields) are ideal. Later in the season, wet spots filled with cattails are ideal.
• Bobwhites also love grains, but they prefer a more complex mix of foods. So, look for planted as well as wild types. Like pheasants, quail can be found in fencerows, ditches and other overgrown areas between crop fields, and throughout farm lands.
• Ruffed grouse are more of a forest bird. They favor pockets of young trees with plenty of ground vegetation. You'll also have luck if you focus on clear cuts and logged woodlots up to 20 years old. Abandoned farms and the edges of overgrown fields are also great places to find them.
• American woodcock can be found in many of the same covers that ruffed grouse favor. But because they eat earthworms, focus on areas where the ground is damp to almost wet. The classic cover for them is a stand of alder trees. When woodcock migrate, they can also be found at the edges of open fields and in stands of pines and fir trees.

The only real way to learn where to find these birds is to get out there and look for them yourself. If you have a mentor, ask them to introduce you to some likely looking spots. Whenever you flush a bird, make a note of where you find it, the time of day, and types of plants and cover in the area. Over time, you'll gain the experience to spot prime locations and enjoy more success in the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between upland and waterfowl hunting?

Waterfowl hunting is similar to upland hunting, but relies upon the presence of water, where you’re most likely to find waterfowl species. Unlike upland hunting, it is also characterized by flyways—the migratory patterns of waterfowl birds.

Why are they called upland birds?

These bird species are referred to as ‘upland’ species chiefly because that is what they call home—environments higher in elevation than the alluvial plain.

Is dove hunting considered upland?

Yes, although doves are somewhat unusual among upland species because they migrate.

What state has the best upland bird hunting?

Some consider the American Midwest to offer prime upland hunting, but there are many excellent opportunities in other regions of the country. Explore our wingshooting adventures interactive map to find upland hunting close to home, or plan a trip with an Orvis-endorsed wingshooting partner.