Idaho Pheasant Season 2026: Opener, Limits, License

Q: What are pheasant shooting hours in Idaho?

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game sets pheasant hours as one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; on release areas 10:00am to one-half hour after sunset (Clearwater Region release areas 8:00am).

Q: Where can I hunt pheasants on public land in Idaho?

Access Yes! and other IDFG access programs, over three million acres.

Q: Does Idaho stock pheasants?

Yes. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game releases nearly 29,000 pheasants on 24 locations where pheasants are stocked, with 2-5 locations in each region in 2026. Release timing: Panhandle & Clearwater Regions: Stocked through December; Southwest & Magic Valley Regions: Stocked through December; Southeast, Upper Snake, & Salmon Regions: Stocked through November.

Oct 15

Opening day

Thursday

Dec 31

Last day

Thursday, 2026

3 roosters a day

Daily limit

9 in possession

Dates and limits

Idaho pheasant season dates and bag limit

Idaho's pheasant season runs October 15 to December 31, 2026 for residents and October 20 to December 31, 2026 for nonresidents. The youth season comes first, Oct 8 to 14. The daily limit is 3 roosters and 9 in possession. Only roosters may be taken.

ResidentsOct 15
Season for residents, Oct 15 to Dec 31
NonresidentsOct 20
Season for nonresidents, Oct 20 to Dec 31
Youth huntOct 8
Youth, Oct 8 to 14

General season Youth huntsIdaho, Oct 15 to Dec 31

Residents: Oct 15 to Dec 31
Nonresidents: Oct 20 to Dec 31
Youth season: Oct 8 to 14
Daily limit: 3 roosters a day
Possession: 9 in possession
Which birds: Roosters only
Shooting hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; on release areas 10:00am to one-half hour after sunset (Clearwater Region release areas 8:00am)

Youth Hunt SeasonOct 8 to 14statewide, licensed hunters 17 and under, including release sites
Pheasants, All Varieties (Resident)Oct 15 to Dec 31statewide, residents; roosters only
Pheasants, All Varieties (Nonresident)Oct 20 to Dec 31statewide, nonresidents open five days after residents

Daily bag limit: 3 roosters, only 2 of which can be harvested on Upland Game Bird Permit Release Areas.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read October 8, 2026. Read it at the source

Idaho Department of Fish and Game regulations, read October 8, 2026.

Where to hunt

Public land and walk-in access in Idaho

Access Yes! and other IDFG access programsover three million acres
“Idaho Fish and Game partners with state, federal, and private landowners to allow public access to over three million acres of your favorite hunting areas, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.”
Program page

Wild and released birds

Idaho pheasant stocking

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game releases nearly 29,000 pheasants on 24 locations where pheasants are stocked, with 2-5 locations in each region in 2026. Release timing: Panhandle & Clearwater Regions: Stocked through December; Southwest & Magic Valley Regions: Stocked through December; Southeast, Upper Snake, & Salmon Regions: Stocked through November.

There are 24 locations where pheasants are stocked, with 2-5 locations in each region. Most locations will be stocked for the youth hunt. Fish and Game plans to release nearly 29,000 pheasants for hunters in 2026 .

Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read October 8, 2026. Read it at the source

License

What it takes to hunt pheasants in Idaho

Residents: Hunting license $12.75 annual with Price Lock or $15.75 without, plus Access-Depredation Fee $5.00; Upland Game Bird Permit $23.75 each with Price Lock or $28.75 without, needed only on release areas (18+)
Nonresidents: Small Game Hunting $141.75, Three-Day Nonresident Small Game Hunting $71.75, or Hunting $185.00, plus Access-Depredation Fee $10.00; Upland Game Bird Permit $56.75 each on release areas (18+)
Stamp or permit: Upland Game Bird Permit (Department-stocked birds; 18+ yrs): resident $23.75 ea. with Price Lock, $28.75 without; nonresident $56.75 ea.

Every Idaho license, resident and nonresident, with what each costs, is on the Idaho hunting license page.

Idaho pheasant questions

When does pheasant season open in Idaho?

What is the pheasant limit in Idaho?

What are pheasant shooting hours in Idaho?

What license do I need to hunt pheasants in Idaho?

Residents: Hunting license $12.75 annual with Price Lock or $15.75 without, plus Access-Depredation Fee $5.00; Upland Game Bird Permit $23.75 each with Price Lock or $28.75 without, needed only on release areas (18+). Nonresidents: Small Game Hunting $141.75, Three-Day Nonresident Small Game Hunting $71.75, or Hunting $185.00, plus Access-Depredation Fee $10.00; Upland Game Bird Permit $56.75 each on release areas (18+). Stamp or permit: Upland Game Bird Permit (Department-stocked birds; 18+ yrs): resident $23.75 ea. with Price Lock, $28.75 without; nonresident $56.75 ea. Prices are as the Idaho Department of Fish and Game lists them.

Where can I hunt pheasants on public land in Idaho?

Does Idaho stock pheasants?

A brown speckled hen pheasant walking through rows of young green wheat with old stubble between them — A hen in a South Dakota wheat field. Hens carry next year’s birds, so the bag in the wild bird states is written for roosters only, and the brown bird that gets up beside a rooster is the one to let fly. “NRCSSD03010 - South Dakota (6147)(NRCS Photo Gallery)”, Dennis Larson, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Public domain

Idaho read October 8, 2026 from Idaho Department of Fish and Game, every source linked above. An agency can move a date or close an area between the printed regulations and opening day, so its page is the one that governs. Every state is on the pheasant season calendar.