I think the permit difference is that grouse are a native species while quail and pheasants are not. I doubt that has changed.Have no idea what the rules are now but know I had to get a permit to raise bob whites and pheasants and they would not give one for grouse but that was like 2001 Both of those do terrible here in the wild even with a winter food source put out Bob white could not make it through a winter and pheasants maybe a few years but we didnot have the type of land either here to support any that got out like the vally would
On one hand I get why native wildlife species are so tightly controlled but I think there could be some changes made to actually help some species.