14,000 rooster pheasants set for stocking this year in Ohio

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife will release more than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants at public hunting areas in late October and November. Releases will begin Saturday, Oct. 21, during Ohio’s youth small game hunting season.

Each fall, the Division of Wildlife releases male pheasants (roosters) at 25 public hunting areas throughout Ohio. The division is scheduled to release 14,020 pheasants this fall.

The Division of Wildlife will release pheasants for the following dates:

• Saturday Oct. 21 (first youth weekend)
• Saturday Oct. 28 (second youth weekend)
• Friday, Nov. 3 (opening day)
• Friday, Nov. 10• Thursday, Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving Day)

Pheasants will be released in the following locations:

• Central Ohio: Delaware Wildlife Area
• Northwest Ohio: Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area; Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area; Resthaven Wildlife Area; Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Area (by permit only, find additional information from the Sandusky County Park District); Tiffin River Wildlife Area; and Wyandot Wildlife Area (no youth releases).

• Northeast Ohio: Camp Belden Wildlife Area; Charlemont Metro Park; Berlin Wildlife Area; Grand River Wildlife Area; Highlandtown Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Spencer Wildlife Area; West Branch Wildlife Area (no youth releases); and Zepernick Wildlife Area (no youth releases).

• Southeast Ohio: Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area; Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Salt Fork Wildlife Area (no youth releases); and Tri-Valley Wildlife Area.

• Southwest Ohio: Caesar Creek Wildlife Area; Darke Wildlife Area; Fallsville Wildlife Area (no releases for Oct. 21-22, or Nov. 10); Indian Creek Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Rush Run Wildlife Area; and Spring Valley Wildlife Area.

Ohio’s ring-necked pheasant hunting season is open from Friday, Nov. 3, until Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. The daily harvest limit is two male birds; no hens (females) may be harvested. A valid Ohio hunting license is required to pursue pheasants and other game birds.

Small game hunting is a way to introduce someone to hunting and create lasting memories in the field. For more information on getting started, explore the interactive Introduction to Upland Game Birds online learning module and related resources through the Wild Ohio Harvest Community at www.wildohio.gov.

Additional details on Ohio’s fall pheasant releases can be found at wildohio.gov, along with maps of public hunting areas, the current hunting and trapping regulations, and more.