Young Aspen
Start in the old cuts grown back thick with aspen and birch, so dense you can't see far into them. Work the edges and any openings inside, because that's where the birds feed.
906-214-2308
906-265-9100
40 E Adams St
Iron River, MI 49935
Grouse Hunting in Iron County, Michigan
Iron County • Michigan
Iron County is ruffed grouse country (locals call them partridge), with young aspen and alder coming back in the old cuts and more than 400,000 acres of public land to walk in Upper Michigan. Here's the cover to hunt, a managed walk-in grouse area north of Iron River, and this year's season dates.
SEPT. 15
Ruffed grouse season opens statewide
5 A DAY
Daily limit in the U.P., 10 in possession
DEC. 1
Late season reopens and runs to Jan. 1
400,000+
Acres of public land open to hunting
Start With The Cover
Where to Hunt Grouse in Iron County, Michigan
Ruffed grouse follow young forest. Out here that means aspen and birch growing back after a timber cut, alder thickets along the creeks, and the edges where that young growth meets the older woods.
Much of the county's public land is working forest, and the thick young growth that comes back after a timber cut is exactly the cover grouse need for food and protection.
You can hunt on foot on state forest land and in the Ottawa National Forest. Private forest land enrolled in Michigan's Commercial Forest Program is open to you on foot as well, unless it's closed for active logging.
DNR Where to HuntStay Close To The Cover
Where to Stay for Grouse Hunting in Iron County
Read The Woods
Grouse Cover in the Upper Peninsula: Aspen, Alder and Logging Roads
Grouse hunting is mostly walking, and in Iron County the miles go into three kinds of cover.
Alder & Creek Bottoms
The alder thickets along creeks and low ground hold grouse, and woodcock use them too. (So do ducks, on the wetter ground.) Wear boots that can take water.
Old Logging Roads
Grassy two-tracks and gated forest roads let you walk quietly through good cover and cover a lot of ground in a morning.
Managed For Grouse
Gold Mine GEMS: Walk-In Grouse Hunting North of Iron River
Michigan's Grouse Enhanced Management Sites, called GEMS, are walk-in areas where the forest is cut on a schedule to grow grouse and woodcock cover. The old logging roads are kept open as walking trails for hunters.
Gold Mine is the one to start with. It sits northwest of Iron River, covers more than 550 acres and has about 3 miles of walking trails. It opened in 2015 as the first GEMS on private land in Michigan.
- From US-2 west of Iron River, turn north on Gibbs City Road.
- Go 9.2 miles to the T at Ponozzo Road, stay left, and go 0.4 miles more.
- Turn left on Forest Road 3470 (Gold Mine Road).
- Drive 1.7 miles to the kiosk and parking on the left.
Build Your Plan
Scouting Grouse Cover with MiHunt
Cover doesn't stand still. As the cuts grow up, a spot that was good a few years back may not be now. Mark several areas on MiHunt before you arrive, and move on when one goes quiet.
Before You Go
Woodcock Hunting in Iron County
In early fall, grouse and woodcock share the same wet, young cover, which is why many grouse hunters carry a woodcock stamp too.
Woodcock
Adding Woodcock to the Hunt
Woodcock season runs Sept. 15 – Oct. 29, with a daily limit of 3. They're migratory birds, so you'll need a woodcock stamp on top of your base license. The stamp is free and covers your HIP registration.
Woodcock RulesOttawa National Forest
Forest Roads and Federal Land
Before you head down a forest road, call the Watersmeet-Iron River Ranger District at 906-358-4551. They can tell you about Ottawa National Forest land, roads and closures in this part of the county.
Ottawa National ForestGrouse Season
Michigan Grouse Season 2026–27: Dates, Limits and Hours
Grouse season comes in two parts this year, with a break in November for deer season. Dates can change from year to year, so check the current rules before your trip.
Ruffed Grouse
September 15 – November 14
Late Grouse
December 1 – January 1, 2027
Woodcock
September 15 – October 29
Limits
Grouse 5 a day, 10 in possession. Woodcock 3 a day, 9 in possession.
Hunter orange:
As a small game hunter, you must wear a hunter orange cap, hat,
vest, jacket or rain gear as your outer layer, visible from all
sides. Grouse season is closed November 15–30, while the
firearm deer season is on.
Hunting hours: a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset (sunset from December 1). Iron County runs on Central time, so subtract an hour from the state's printed tables.
Hunting hours: a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset (sunset from December 1). Iron County runs on Central time, so subtract an hour from the state's printed tables.
Questions
Grouse Hunting in Iron County: Common Questions
When is grouse season in Michigan's Upper Peninsula?
September 15 to November 14, then December 1 to January 1. It closes November 15–30 for the firearm deer season.
What is the grouse limit in the U.P.?
Five a day and ten in possession.
Why is grouse season closed in late November?
Because of the firearm deer season, November 15–30. Grouse reopens December 1.
What are grouse hunting hours in Iron County?
A half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset (sunset from December 1). Iron County is on Central time, so subtract an hour from the state's printed tables.
Do I need a woodcock stamp to hunt woodcock in Michigan?
Yes. It's free, it goes on top of your base license, and it covers your HIP registration.
Where is the Gold Mine grouse area?
Northwest of Iron River, off Gibbs City Road. Turn left on Forest Road 3470 (Gold Mine Road) and drive 1.7 miles to the kiosk.
Is a partridge the same as a ruffed grouse?
Yes. In the Upper Peninsula, "partridge" is what most locals call the ruffed grouse.
Start Planning
Start Planning Your Iron County Grouse Hunt
There's a lot of young woods in Iron County and plenty of room to walk it. Mark a few areas of cover on MiHunt, start on the Gold Mine walking trails, and book a room close to the woods. Staying longer? See every season on our Iron County hunting guide, from fall turkey to bear.
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Iron County Michigan Visitors Guide
Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.