Upland Game Birds
Manitoba’s vast landscape is home to several species of upland game birds, Sandhill Cranes and Wild Turkey. The parklands and boreal forests offer excellent habitat for upland game birds such as Ruffed Grouse and Spruce Grouse, while the prairies have Sharp-tailed Grouse and Hungarian Partridge. Hunters can pursue both upland game birds and waterfowl, often right in the same area.
Ruffed grouse or partridge
Partridge, as they are commonly called, are found in the boreal forest. They prefer hardwood bush and do not migrate. The Ruffed Grouse will sit tight in underbrush and flush powerfully with a tremendous whirr. They can fly through dense bush and miss trees with uncanny ability. In the spring you can hear a dull drumming from the male who is standing on a log and beating his wings rapidly in the air to produce a distinct mating call. Many think it is someone trying to start a pump motor. Ruffed grouse can be hunted with dogs or just strolling through wood lots. They are an excellent eating bird with rich white meat.
Fool Hen
The Spruce Grouse is much like the ruffed grouse. These birds are found in the forest and evergreens. They are called the “Fool Hen” because of their apparent unwariness. They will sit in a spruce tree and allow one to walk up to them while they twist their necks to get a better look at the intruder. They feed on needles and buds of spruce trees, thus their meat is not as desirable as the ruffed grouse. Their meat is also dark in appearance.
Chicken
The Sharp-tail Grouse is commonly called a “chicken” derived from prairie chicken, which it is not. The Sharp-tails live in flocks and live along hardwood forest, pasture lands and willow swamps. They are an excellent eating bird and can be hunted with dogs. They flush hard and fly as a group. They do not migrate and are a cyclical bird, rising and falling in numbers over a ten year period.
Huns
Hungarian or Gray Partridge were first introduced to Manitoba in 1924. They are smaller than a grouse and live in flocks. It is gray in color marked with close wavy lines of black, white and rust. Its reddish throat makes it easily recognizable. Huns are best hunted in grain fields. They run very fast and stay in groups of 15 to 30. They are an excellent eating bird and do not migrate.
Ptarmigan
This upland game bird is only found in the far north. They live on the tundra and flock together for protection against Arctic foxes who try to sneak up on them. They are the only upland game bird to change plumage from brown to white for the winter. They feed on buds and seeds and are an excellent eating bird.
You require a game bird hunting license to hunt these species in Manitoba.
Licenses can be purchased at Manitoba Conservation offices throughout the province, or at participating vendors.
