Research & Planning
10 Do-It-Yourself Upland Bird Hunting Adventures
Looking for new territories to expand your upland bird hunting? From deserts to plains to the northwoods, here are 10 places and species to pursue. Learn more.
Scouting for Upland Birds
Consistently finding more birds is the goal of many upland hunters. In this guide, we teach you how to cut down your time wandering the fields in search of a flush. Learn to scout on your computer at home, then take your theories to the field while utilizing the tools and features within the Hunt App. Whether you’re chasing roosters in South Dakota, quail in Kansas, or grouse in the Great Lakes states, you’ll be more efficient in your pursuit.
Consistently finding more birds is the goal of many upland hunters. In this guide, we teach you how to cut down your time wandering the fields in search of a flush. Learn to scout on your computer at home, then take your theories to the field while utilizing the tools and features within the Hunt App. Whether you’re chasing roosters in South Dakota, quail in Kansas, or grouse in the Great Lakes states, you’ll be more efficient in your pursuit.
Key Mapping Features for Scouting Upland Birds
From analyzing the terrain you’ll be hunting, to checking wind forecast the night before, onX Hunt puts the most powerful scouting tool in your hands.
Custom Waypoints
Marking potential haunts for birds is one of the best ways to prepare for your hunt. Setting Waypoints at fields with good cover or other birdy spots enables you to make smart moves when out hunting. When in the field, marking flushes or properties that hold birds allows you to retain valuable intel for years to come.
Crop Data
It’s no secret that many upland birds thrive adjacent to agriculture. However, not all crop types are created equal. By using the Crop Data Layer, you’ll be able to pinpoint key pieces of cover from the comfort of your own home. With 19 of the most popular crop types, you’ll be covered across the country.
Tree Species Data and Timber Harvest
Identifying key tree species is critical for hunting grouse and woodcock. Understanding this data from satellite imagery can be extremely difficult, but we’ve helped take the guesswork out of it. By using the Young Aspen Layer in conjunction with Timber Harvest Data, you’ll easily be able to pinpoint key covers that are likely to hold birds.
Tracker
Knowing where you’ve been and where you haven’t isn’t just about finding your way back to the truck. You’ll also uncover more birds. The Tracker provides valuable information on what covers you might have missed and can help piece together trends on where birds are located.
Offline Maps
No service? No problem. Some of the best areas are far from civilization, and having a fully functional map at your fingertips changes the game. By downloading maps beforehand, you’ll be able to easily get to your hunting spots and get back to the truck safely.
Upland Bird Scouting Tips
Upland Bird Scouting Tips
Learn how to find new spots for chasing upland birds, whether you’re across the country or close to home.
Videos
5 Tips For Finding More Birds Using onX Hunt
Duration 5:11
Follow along with Ben Brettingen as he breaks down how to use onX Hunt for Bird Hunting. Utilize walk-in hunting areas, crop data, and private/public land boundaries, . Share waypoints with friends and family, and organize content with folders to be more efficient in the field.
How To Find Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock
Duration 15:00
Follow along with onX’s own, Ben Brettingen, as he explains the tools and methods he uses within the hunt app to find spots to hunt Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock. Learn what habitat types to look for, what layers are most useful to have on, how to plan your routes, how to mark potential spots and organize them so no time is wasted, and much more!
OnX Hunt Map Tools for Upland Hunters with Pheasants Forever
Duration 7:22
Pheasants Forever’s Will Clayton is joined by OnX Hunt’s Ben Brettingen to discuss how using the OnX Hunt App can help you upland hunt more efficiently and effectively.
E-Scouting for Sharptails with ON X
Duration 9:47
Birds, Booze, and Buds Podcast’s Will Clayton is joined by OnX Hunt’s Ben Brettingen as they discuss E-Scouting for Sharptails.
Montana Public Land Hunt: Block Management and onX Maps
Duration 7:23
Welcome to Standing Stone Kennels! In this video we talk about onX Maps and how we hunted public land in Montana. Follow along to learn how to use this app on your next hunt.
Prairie Grouse Scouting – onX Hunt Masterclass
1:34:21
Watch this onX Hunt Masterclass recording with Tyler Webster from the Birds, Booze and Buds Podcast, and Pheasants Forever’s Marissa Jensen, to learn how to use onX Hunt to find new spots and be more successful chasing Sharp-tailed Grouse, Prairie Chickens and Hungarian Partridge this fall.
Upland Educational Blogs
Learn
Basic and Early Season Bird Dog Training From Brandon Moss
Thinking about taking your bird hunting to the next level with a bird hunting dog? Consider these tips by onX Ambassador Brandon Moss. Find out more!
Research & Planning
Best States for Hunting Multiple Species
Like to hunt more than one species? Here’s our list of the best states for hunting multiple species. Need maps and Layers for all 50 states? Make sure you have an onX Hunt Elite membership.
the ultimate Upland bird scouting tool
From start to finish, make the most of your time in the field with onX Hunt
Upland Bird Hunting FAQs
What is an upland game bird?
Upland birds are non-waterfowl game birds found throughout the United States. They are pursued with shotguns, and many hunters will utilize gun dogs from pointing or flushing breeds to locate and retrieve their kills. Upland species are prized for the thrill of the hunt and their flavor and culinary versatility.
What are the types of upland birds?
The term upland game bird generally refers to the various species of grouse, pheasants, partridge, woodcock, and quail. Refer to your state’s hunting regulations to determine the availability of upland game species in your area and the rules and regulations for hunting them.
What is upland hunting?
Upland hunting refers to the pursuit of upland game birds with the use of a shotgun and, in many cases, a trusty bird dog. The birds are shot while in flight, or on the wing, and various species can be found throughout the United States.
Where is the best upland bird hunting?
You’re in luck—quality upland hunting can be found throughout the country. Read our blog Best Upland Bird Hunting States for 2021 to learn our favorite locations. Don’t be disheartened, though, if your state didn’t make our list. Check your state’s hunting regulation to find upland hunting opportunities near you.
See our other onX e-scouting guides for deer, elk and waterfowl.