As publishedSep 12-Oct 12, 2026 (general); Aug 15-Sep 4, 2026 (archery); Aug 15, 2026-Feb 28, 2027 (falconry)
CDFW publishes a single combined 'Sooty (Blue)/Ruffed Grouse' season and bag limit shared between the two species -- daily bag of 2 total, any one species or mixed. Open only in a specified set of northern/eastern CA counties per CDFW's hunt-zone map (exact county list not captured verbatim from a primary text source in this pass; closed statewide elsewhere). Archery Aug 15-Sep 4, 2026; Falconry Aug 15, 2026-Feb 28, 2027. Pistols/revolvers are legally permitted for this species in the open counties.
CDFW runs no survey or forecast program for ruffed grouse (tracked in a combined season/bag with sooty grouse in restricted counties) — confirmed absence, any year. Only static life-history accounts and season-date-reminder press releases exist, no population data.