This year, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife says it is slated to release 14,020 pheasants this fall ahead of this year's hunting season.

In Northeast Ohio, they plan to release male, ring-necked pheasants into the following areas:

  • 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)
  • Zepernick Wildlife Area (no youth releases)

The releases will happen over the course of hunting season, from the first youth hunting weekend on Saturday, October 21, all the way through Thanksgiving on November 23rd.

The hunting season for ring-necked pheasant officially opens on Friday, November 3rd. Ohio allows hunters to claim two male birds each day, and no females can be harvested. All hunters must have a valid license.

Youth hunters have two weekends, October 21st & 22nd, and October 28th & 29th when they can hunt the pheasant as well.