Why Small Game Is Drawing Hunters Back

Written by HLRBO Staff| 12/04/2025

It’s the first day of December. In many states, big-game season will soon wind down as winter moves in.

Across the country, small-game hunting is increasingly attractive. Winter hunts for pheasant, grouse, squirrel, rabbit, and other game offer a different way to hunt with an emphasis on movement through the woods rather than waiting in a stand.

Hunting for small game can be an adventure. You hike and bushwhack, working to find tracks or flush up a bird. There is a low barrier to entry, often with no tags, simple gear, and close-to-home access.

The added bonus is this kind of hunting is easy and affordable, and you are bringing home food. Grouse, pheasant, and other small game can be good eating and are simple to prepare.

Small game case study

Minnesota is the home base for HLRBO. The state has a legacy as a small-game mecca for locals and visitors alike.

Minnesota serves as a snapshot of the broader national picture. Its long seasons, land access, and healthy game populations reflect what many hunters across the U.S. are seeking. 

The state and its Department of Natural Resources highlighted small game hunting in the latest Minnesota DNR News edition, published November 24.

Benji Kohn, a volunteer with the DNR, is quoted. “These hunts can feel a lot like hikes, with the added challenge of pursuing some excellent table fare.”

Hunts from woods to prairie

In Minnesota, pheasant is a staple bird on the state’s vast prairies. The season for pheasant runs through Jan. 4, 2026, with a daily bag limit of three roosters.

Populations are up. According to a recent survey, pheasant numbers are nearly 50% higher than last year and sit well above the 10-year average.

Notes the DNR, late-season birds are typically found in tall grass and cattail marshes, where hunters should be mindful of thin ice as winter settles in.

Grouse and other game

Ruffed grouse is another bird in the state. These “forest chickens” have a season that remains open through Jan. 4. 

Winter hunters often find success during the final hour of daylight, when birds emerge from snow roosts to feed, the DNR notes.

Squirrel and rabbit seasons in Minnesota run through February. Watch for squirrels in the tree canopy, which is a lattice of bare branches this time of year.

Rabbit hunters often focus on thick cover and thorn tangles. You might need to bushwhack to find this species hiding in the snow. 

The DNR cites a population surge. This year has been especially strong for cottontail rabbits, with populations reported at a 60-year high, according to the state.

Full regulations, season details, and beginner resources are available through the Minnesota DNR. Check your local state laws for game details and small-game season dates.