Vancouver Island offers rewarding opportunities for upland game bird hunters, particularly those pursuing grouse. These birds occupy a variety of forested habitats and can be challenging to locate and hunt as their behaviour changes with habitat, weather, food availability, and season.
Two grouse species are covered by the current hunting regulations:
Both species provide a distinctive upland hunting experience and are valued by hunters for their challenging behaviour and quality table fare.
Grouse have long been an important upland game bird in British Columbia, including Vancouver Island. Historically, Sooty Grouse and Dusky Grouse were grouped together under the name “Blue Grouse,” but scientific classification has changed as researchers gained a better understanding of their differences.
In 2006, Sooty Grouse and Dusky Grouse were recognized as separate species, reflecting differences in their appearance, behaviour, vocalizations, and geographic distribution.
Today, Sooty Grouse—still referred to as Sooty (Blue) Grouse in B.C. hunting regulations—are one of the primary grouse species pursued on Vancouver Island, alongside Ruffed Grouse. Grouse hunting continues to be a longstanding part of the island’s upland game bird hunting tradition.
Grouse are generally non-migratory birds and often remain within relatively small home ranges, although their location can shift with season, elevation, food availability, weather, and habitat conditions. On Vancouver Island, hunters may commonly encounter grouse in:
The general grouse season applies across MUs 1-1 to 1-15, subject to local no-hunting, no-shooting, access, park, and special-area restrictions. There is no open season for upland game birds on Denman Island in MU 1-6.
The general open season for Sooty and Ruffed Grouse runs from September 1 to December 31 in MUs 1-1 to 1-15, subject to local closures and special-area restrictions.
A separate bow-only season runs from August 20 to August 31 where permitted.
Restrictions:
The August bow-only season does not apply on the Gulf Islands in MU 1-1, except Gabriola Island; in Zone B of MU 1-5; or on Denman and Hornby Islands in MU 1-6. In addition, there is no open season for upland game birds on Denman Island.
Always check the applicable Management Unit, special-area restrictions, and current regulations before hunting.
Hunting is prohibited in national parks and ecological reserves. Hunting restrictions vary among BC Parks, so hunters must verify whether hunting is permitted in a specific provincial park before entering the field. Local no-hunting, no-shooting, municipal, conservation-land, and access restrictions may also apply.
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Both rimfire and centrefire rifles are permitted for grouse hunting where firearm discharge is otherwise legal. Hunters should select ammunition appropriate for small game and take shots only when they have positively identified the bird and have a safe background and backstop.
Local no-shooting areas and firearm restrictions must always be observed.
Air rifles may be used for grouse where otherwise legally permitted. Hunters should use suitable equipment and ammunition, positively identify their target, and confirm that firearm discharge is permitted in the area before shooting.
Shotguns are commonly used for grouse hunting, particularly in dense forest where birds may flush at close range. Hunters should select a legal shotgun and shot size appropriate for upland game birds.
Pump, repeating, and autoloading shotguns must have a magazine plug that prevents the magazine from holding more than two cartridges.
The province-wide non-toxic-shot requirement that applies to waterfowl does not generally apply to upland game birds such as grouse, although local restrictions may apply.
Archery provides another legal method for hunting grouse. Crossbows, compound bows, recurve bows, and longbows may be used when they meet the applicable equipment requirements.
A special bow-only grouse season runs from August 20 to August 31 where permitted, followed by the regular September 1 to December 31 season, during which legal archery equipment may also be used.
The August bow-only opportunity does not apply in certain areas, including the Gulf Islands in MU 1-1 except Gabriola Island, Zone B of MU 1-5, and Denman and Hornby Islands in MU 1-6.
Falconers holding a valid possession permit may hunt grouse with the use or aid of raptors during the regular open season and applicable bow-only seasons. Falconers must also hold the necessary hunting licence or licences and comply with applicable bag limits.
Dogs may be used to locate, flush, and retrieve grouse, and unleashed dogs may be used for small-game hunting where otherwise permitted. Hunting dogs may also be trained, under supervision, by allowing them to pursue game birds from August 1 to April 30.
Hunters must make all reasonable efforts to locate and retrieve any grouse they kill, cripple, or wound and include it in their bag limit.
For game birds such as grouse, the required edible portions are both breasts. Hunters must remove the required edible portions from the carcass and take them to their normal dwelling place, a meat cutter, or an authorized cold-storage facility unless lawful possession is transferred to another person who meets the requirement.
When possessing or transporting a grouse, one feathered wing must remain attached to the carcass.
Working with an experienced guide outfitter can provide valuable local knowledge, field support, equipment assistance, and access guidance for a grouse hunting trip.
Outfitters can help hunters identify suitable habitat, understand seasonal grouse behaviour, navigate local access restrictions, and select legal hunting areas and methods.
Non-resident and non-resident alien hunters may hunt small game unaccompanied if they hold an unrestricted hunting licence. Hunters holding a restricted licence must be accompanied by a guide outfitter, assistant guide outfitter, or holder of a valid Permit to Accompany.
What weather is best for grouse hunting?
It is possible to hunt grouse in any weather during the open season, but they prefer being out during sunny days.
