The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will be releasing more than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants at 28 of of Ohio’s public hunting areas in late October and November. The pheasants will be released in variable groups on the dates below in each of the public hunting areas.

In the Valley, Berlin Wildlife area will receive a total of 840 birds, and Grand River Wildlife area will receive 780 birds.

Pheasants will be released in the following locations:

  • Northeast Ohio: Berlin Wildlife Area, Grand River Wildlife Area, West Branch Wildlife Area, Highlandtown Wildlife Area, Spencer Wildlife Area, Zepernick Wildlife Area, Camp Belden Wildlife Area, Charlemont Metro Park
  • Central Ohio: Delaware Wildlife Area.
  • Northwest Ohio: Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, Oxbow Wildlife Area, Resthaven Wildlife Area, Ringneck Ridge Metro Park, Tiffin River Wildlife Area, and Wyandot Wildlife Area. Youth and regular pheasant hunting within the Ringneck Ridge Area in Sandusky County require a free permit from the Sandusky County Park District.
  • Southeast Ohio: Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area, Jesse Owens State Park and Wildlife Area, Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area (no youth releases), Salt Fork Wildlife Area (no youth releases), Tri-Valley Wildlife Area.
  • Southwest Ohio: Caesar Creek Wildlife Area, Darke Wildlife Area, Fallsville Wildlife Area, Indian Creek Wildlife Area, Rush Run Wildlife Area, Spring Valley Wildlife Area. Fallsville Wildlife Area will not release pheasants on the weekend of Oct. 24-25.

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

  • Oct. 24-25 (first youth weekend)
  • Oct. 31-Nov. 1 (second youth weekend)
  • Nov. 6, 2020 (opening day)
  • Nov. 11, 2020 (Veterans Day)
  • Nov. 26, 2020 (Thanksgiving Day)

The complete list of locations and dates is available at wildohio.gov.
 
A valid hunting license is required to hunt pheasants and other game birds in Ohio.

Ohio’s pheasant hunting season opens Nov. 6, and continues through Jan. 10, with a daily bag limit of two rooster (male) birds. No hens (females) may be killed. Statewide pheasant hunting hours are sunrise to sunset.