State Game Farm: Public Hunting Ground Stocking

The Department of Conservation began stocking pheasants at the inception of the State Experimental Game and Fur Farm in 1928. WDNR continues to stock captive-raised ring-necked pheasants on public hunting grounds; however, philosophy on the stocking program has changed over time. Initially, pheasants were stocked to bolster the wild pheasant population and to provide quality pheasant hunting opportunities. Subsequent research has proven that, over time, stocked pheasants do not have the survival instincts to evade predators or hunters long enough to contribute to the wild pheasant population. Current stocking efforts aim at providing quality pheasant hunting opportunities on public hunting grounds. Pheasants are stocked weekly beginning the week before opening weekend through November on most properties. Some properties are stocked in the month of December. Projected stocking efforts on public hunting grounds are available online.[PDF 105KB]. View a map of public hunting grounds that are stocked with pheasants.

Questions for Wildlife Management

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