COLUMBUS, Ohio — Starting Oct. 19, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife will begin releasing ring-necked pheasants at various public hunting areas.

What You Need To Know

  • The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife will begin releasing ring-necked pheasants at various public hunting areas starting Oct. 19

  • Those releases start amid the youth small game hunting season

  • Be aware that some areas may have additional restrictions

Those releases start amid the youth small game hunting season, according to an ODNR press release. They will be releasing 14,400 pheasants throughout the state.

“Pursuing small game is a great way to introduce someone to hunting and create lasting memories in the field,” ODNR said in a news release. “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. Check out one of the Division of Wildlife’s public shotgun ranges to practice shooting before your hunt.”

The pheasants will be released on the following dates:

  • Saturday Oct. 19
  • Saturday Oct. 26
  • Friday, Nov. 1
  • Saturday, Nov. 9
  • Thursday, Nov. 28

They will be released in the following areas:

Central Ohio

  • Delaware Wildlife Area
  • Kokosing Lake Wildlife Area
  • Urbana Wildlife Area (for hunters with controlled access permits)

Northwest Ohio

  • Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area
  • Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area
  • Hancock County Wildlife Area 5
  • Parkersburg Wildlife Area
  • Wyandot Wildlife Area (no youth releases)
  • Resthaven Wildlife Area
  • Tiffin River Wildlife Area
  • Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area
  • Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Area (by special permit only)

Northeast Ohio

  • Berlin Lake Wildlife Area
  • Grand River Wildlife Area
  • Highlandtown Wildlife Area (no youth releases)
  • Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area (for hunters with controlled access permits)
  • Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area (no youth releases)
  • Spencer Lake Wildlife Area
  • West Branch Wildlife Area (no youth releases)
  • Zepernick Wildlife Area (no youth releases)
  • Charlemont Metro Park
  • Camp Belden Wildlife Area

Southeast Ohio

  • Tri-Valley Wildlife Area
  • Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area (youth releases during controlled hunt only)
  • Salt Fork Wildlife Area (no youth releases)
  • Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area.

Southwest Ohio

  • Fallsville Wildlife Area (no releases Oct. 19 or Nov. 9)
  • Indian Creek Wildlife Area (no youth releases)
  • Spring Valley Wildlife Area
  • Rush Run Wildlife Area
  • Caesar Creek Wildlife Area
  • Darke Wildlife Area
  • East Fork Wildlife Area
  • Pater Wildlife Area
  • Fallsville South Wildlife Area
  • Coldwater Creek Nature Corridor (for hunters with controlled access permits)

“Ohio’s ring-necked pheasant hunting season is open from Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, until Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025,” the release reads. “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.”

Be aware that some areas may have other restrictions. You can see more regulations here.

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