Pheasant stocking

See the Small Game Hunting Regulations for more information on pheasant hunting.

The Wisconsin DNR plans to stock 90 properties with approximately 75,000 pheasants from the state game farm. 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. Most properties are only stocked once or twice more during December. The number of birds released depends on property size and weather conditions.

The 2020 Pheasant Season is Oct. 19 - Jan. 5 . The daily bag limit is 1 pheasant Oct. 19-20 , then 2 pheasant for the remainder of the season Pheasant hunters need a valid small game license and a 2020 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.

2:00 p.m. Closure Areas are properties where pheasant hunting hours close at 2pm on weekdays beginning the third day of the season. The remainder of the season and all other properties follow regular small game hunting hours listed in the small game regulations.

Hen/Rooster Areas are properties where the harvest of both roosters and hens is allowed. The daily bag limit is 1 pheasant Oct. 19-20 , then 2 pheasant 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.