As publishedSeason 1: Sept 12 – Oct 4, 2026 (statewide except listed GMUs); Season 2: Sept 12 – Nov 22, 2026 (listed GMUs only)
Season 2 area is only GMUs 44, 45, 53, 54, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 74-81, 444, 751; Season 1 covers the rest of the state. Requires the $5 white-tailed ptarmigan/greater sage-grouse/mountain sharp-tailed grouse permit.
CPW/CSU/USGS jointly run a real, multi-decade white-tailed ptarmigan monitoring program (statewide survey since 2011, most recent full survey cycle 2024; population characterized as stable per CPW biologist Amy Seglund), but this is episodic multi-year research rather than a fixed-annual, hunter-facing outlook — no discrete standalone 2026 report was found this pass (re-checked 2026-08-19). No confirmed fixed publish window exists; limited-permit hunting continues.