Ohio Pheasant Season 2026
Ohio's pheasant season runs November 6, 2026 to January 10, 2027. Youth hunts run Oct 24 to 25 and Oct 31 to Nov 1. The 2025 outlook, released October 2025, has birds similar to last year.
The 2025 Ohio pheasant outlook
The 2025 outlook from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife has birds similar to last year, with a survey index of 0.26 pheasants/stop. Against the longer run: the 5-year average density in spring was 0.37 male pheasants/km2.
In 2025, there were a total of 88 male pheasants detected at 342 route stops, for an index of 0.26 pheasants/stop. The annual population index was similar to 2024Ring-necked Pheasant Population Status Report, read October 8, 2026. Read it at the source
- Survey index
- 0.26 pheasants/stop
- Against the longer run
- The 5-year average density in spring was 0.37 male pheasants/km2
Ohio pheasant season dates and bag limit
Ohio's pheasant season opens Friday, November 6, 2026, and closes January 10, 2027. Youth hunts run Oct 24 to 25 and Oct 31 to Nov 1. The daily limit is 2 roosters. Only roosters may be taken.
- OhioNov 6Season, Nov 6 to Jan 10; Youth, Oct 24 to 25; Youth, Oct 31 to Nov 1
- General season
- Friday, November 6, 2026 to January 10, 2027
- Youth hunts
- Oct 24 to 25Oct 31 to Nov 1
- Daily limit
- 2 roosters a day
- Which birds
- Roosters only
- Shooting hours
- Sunrise to sunset
- Youth Small Game (first weekend)Oct 24 to 25youth weekend, pheasants released on listed wildlife areas
- Youth Small Game (second weekend)Oct 31 to Nov 1youth weekend, pheasants released on listed wildlife areas
- Ring-necked PheasantNov 6 to Jan 10statewide, males only
Hours are sunrise to sunset. Only male pheasants may be killed.Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 8, 2026. Read it at the source
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife regulations, read October 8, 2026.
Public land and walk-in access in Ohio
- Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership (OLHAP)
“The Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership program (OLHAP) is a way for Ohio hunters to get access to private properties.”
- Controlled access pheasant hunting fields on wildlife areas
“Killdeer Plains, Pleasant Valley, and Salt Fork wildlife areas offer both controlled access pheasant hunts and public hunts.”
Ohio pheasant stocking
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife releases pheasants. Release sites: Charlemont Metro Park (Lorain County) and the following wildlife areas: Appalachian Hills, Berlin, Caesar Creek, Camp Belden, Darke, Delaware, Fallsville, Grand River, Highlandtown, Indian Creek, Oxbow Lake, Resthaven, Rush Run, Spencer, Spring Valley, Tiffin River, Tri-Valley, West Branch, Wyandot, and Zepernick. Release timing: The Division of Wildlife will release pheasants for the youth small game weekends, Oct. 23 and Oct. 31. Additional releases will occur for Nov. 6, Nov. 14, and Nov. 26.
The Division of Wildlife will release pheasants for the youth small game weekends, Oct. 23 and Oct. 31. Additional releases will occur for Nov. 6, Nov. 14, and Nov. 26.Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 8, 2026. Read it at the source
What it takes to hunt pheasants in Ohio
- Residents
- Resident 1-Year Hunting License $19.00
- Nonresidents
- Nonresident 1-Year Hunting License $180.96; Nonresident (Tourist) 3-Day Hunting License $40.56
Every Ohio license, resident and nonresident, with what each costs, is on the Ohio hunting license page.
Ohio pheasant questions
Pheasant season in other states
Ohio read October 8, 2026 from Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, 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.