2024 Pheasant stocking

See the Combined Hunting Regulations for more information on pheasant hunting.

The Wisconsin DNR plans to stock approximately 75,000 pheasants from the state game farm on over 80 properties statewide. Depending on production levels, pheasants are released once prior to the pheasant hunting season and then twice a week for the first two to three weeks of the season. After that, birds are released about once a week until the 9-day gun deer season.

2024 Pheasant Season is Oct. 14 (9 a.m.), 2023-Jan. 7, 2024. The bag limit is one rooster daily Oct. 14-15 and two roosters daily for the remainder of the season. Pheasant hunters need a valid small game license and a 2023 Pheasant Stamp.

FFLIGHT is the Fields & Forest Lands Interactive Gamebird Hunting Tool, an online map showing properties stocked with pheasants, managed dove fields and suitable cover for ruffed grouse and woodcock. Visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “FFLIGHT” for more information.

12:00 p.m. Closure Areas are properties where pheasant hunting hours close at 12pm on weekdays beginning the third day of the season and continuing through Nov. 3. The remainder of the season and all other properties follow regular small game hunting hours listed in the combined hunting regulations.

Hen/Rooster Areas are properties where the harvest of both roosters and hens is allowed. The bag limit is one pheasant daily Oct. 14-15 and two pheasants daily for the remainder of the season. All other properties only allow the harvest of roosters.

The Day-old Chick (DOC) Program allows conservation clubs to raise and release pheasants on private land open to public hunting or on approved state-owned lands. Hunters are reminded to be polite and notify landowners before hunting on open private property as part of the DOC program. Visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “Game Farm” for more information.

2023 Pheasant Late Season Opportunities
The DNR will stock approximately 2,800 pheasants on 25 state properties across central and southern Wisconsin. Stocking efforts will take place over 2 days during the week of Dec. 18. While this last stocking event concludes the 2023 pheasant stocking season, the pheasant hunting season continues through Jan. 7, 2024. Check the 2023 Combined Hunting Regulations for more information.