CLEVELAND — This year, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife plans to release more than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants in public hunting areas starting in late October and into November. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio's ring-necked pheasant hunting season starts on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, and runs until Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024

  • The first release is Oct. 21

  • The limit for the daily harvests is two male birds, and no females (otherwise known as hens)

Each fall, Ohio releases male pheasants at 25 public hunting areas in the state. While the first release is Oct. 21, Ohio's ring-necked pheasant hunting season starts on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, and runs until Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.

The limit for the daily harvests is two male birds, and no females (otherwise known as hens). Hunters must have a valid Ohio hunting license to hunt pheasants and other game birds.

The release of pheasants will be on 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)

The pheasants will be released in these 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); 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.

Additional details on Ohio’s fall pheasant releases, as well as maps of public hunting areas and current hunting and trapping regulations, can be found on the Ohio Department of Natural Resource's website.

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