The Department of Natural Resources reminds small-game hunters that the seasons on ruffed grouse and pheasant reopen Monday, Dec. 1, and run through Jan. 1.

Grouse season is open statewide with a limit of five per day, 10 in possession, in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula (Zones 1 and 2) and a limit of three per day, six in possession, in southern Michigan (Zone 3).

Pheasant hunting resumes across much of southern Michigan, east of US-131 and south of M-20 and US-10. Check the 2008 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide or the DNR Web site, at www.michigan.gov/dnr, for exact boundaries. The limit is two roosters daily, four in possession.

"Bird hunters often find opportunity in the late season in areas that were too wet earlier in the year, but can now be accessed because the standing water is frozen," explained upland game bird biologist Al Stewart. "Hunters who concentrate in high-quality habitat should still be able to find birds."

Hunters must have a valid small game license.