As publishedArea 1: Aug 30, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027; Area 2: Aug 30, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Bag/possession limit is shared in aggregate across all 3 forest grouse species (dusky, ruffed, spruce) - not a separate per-species limit. Most common forest grouse in northern Idaho, found in riparian/moist mountain brush habitat. Area 1 = Panhandle/north-central counties (Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, Shoshone, plus parts of Adams and Idaho counties); Area 2 = remainder of state.
Forest grouse (ruffed, dusky, spruce) data comes from IDFG's post-season wing-barrel collection (juvenile:adult ratios), which is retrospective by design and feeds the following year's forecast narrative rather than standing alone as a pre-season 2026 report. That narrative sits inside the statewide/regional Upland Game Bird Forecast, which had not published as of 2026-08-19 (2025 edition published Sept 5, 2025); expected within the next 2-3 weeks.