Wisconsin Pheasant Season 2026: Opener, Limits, Outlook

Q: What are pheasant shooting hours in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sets pheasant hours as opens 9 a.m. on Oct. 17; otherwise standard northern or southern shooting hours tables; on 21 listed wildlife areas pheasant hours close at noon on weekdays from October to Nov. 3.

Q: What license do I need to hunt pheasants in Wisconsin?

Residents: Small game hunting license $18 plus pheasant stamp $10 (junior small game ages 12 to 17 $9; senior 65+ $9; mentored small game $7). Nonresidents: Small game hunting license $90 or 5-day small game license $60, plus pheasant stamp $10. Stamp or permit: Pheasant stamp $10 (mentored pheasant stamp $4.50). Prices are as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources lists them.

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

Voluntary Public Access program, Over 30,000 acres of private land.

Q: Does Wisconsin stock pheasants?

Yes. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources releases 65,000 birds on 82 state-owned properties. Release timing: Stocking will take place over a six-week period. Pre-stocking efforts will begin the week of Oct. 12 to ensure birds are on the landscape for the pheasant hunting season opener on Oct. 17, 2026.

Oct 17

Opening day

Saturday

Jan 3

Last day

Sunday, 2027

2 roosters a day

Daily limit

roosters only

Down

2026 outlook

released June 24, 2026

Are there birds this year

The 2026 Wisconsin pheasant outlook

The 2026 outlook from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has birds down on last year, with a survey index of 0.73 pheasants per stop. Against the longer run: above the most recent 5-year average.

DownSpring Pheasant Survey, released June 24, 2026

The DNR reported the 2026 average pheasant observations at 0.73 pheasants per stop, a decrease from 2025 at 0.81 pheasants per stop. For the third year in a row, the count remains above the most recent 5-year average (0.56 pheasants per stop).

Spring Pheasant Survey, read October 8, 2026. Read it at the source

Survey index: 0.73 pheasants per stop
Against the longer run: above the most recent 5-year average

Dates and limits

Wisconsin pheasant season dates and bag limit

Wisconsin's pheasant season opens Saturday, October 17, 2026, and closes January 3, 2027. The daily limit is 2 roosters. Only roosters may be taken.

WisconsinOct 17
Season, Oct 17 to Jan 3

General seasonWisconsin, Oct 17 to Jan 3

General season: Saturday, October 17, 2026 to January 3, 2027
Daily limit: 2 roosters a day
Which birds: Roosters only
Shooting hours: Opens 9 a.m. on Oct. 17; otherwise standard northern or southern shooting hours tables; on 21 listed wildlife areas pheasant hours close at noon on weekdays from October to Nov. 3

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulations, read October 8, 2026.

Where to hunt

Public land and walk-in access in Wisconsin

Voluntary Public Access programOver 30,000 acres of private land
“Through this program, hundreds of landowners have opened their land to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife viewing. Over 30,000 acres of private land are accessible to the public and can be found using the VPA interactive map .”
Program page

Wild and released birds

Wisconsin pheasant stocking

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources releases 65,000 birds on 82 state-owned properties. Release timing: Stocking will take place over a six-week period. Pre-stocking efforts will begin the week of Oct. 12 to ensure birds are on the landscape for the pheasant hunting season opener on Oct. 17, 2026.

Due to budget constraints within the DNR's Wildlife Management Program, the recent stocking goal of 75,000 pheasants over 82 state-owned properties will be reduced to 65,000 birds.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, read October 8, 2026. Read it at the source

License

What it takes to hunt pheasants in Wisconsin

Residents: Small game hunting license $18 plus pheasant stamp $10 (junior small game ages 12 to 17 $9; senior 65+ $9; mentored small game $7)
Nonresidents: Small game hunting license $90 or 5-day small game license $60, plus pheasant stamp $10
Stamp or permit: Pheasant stamp $10 (mentored pheasant stamp $4.50)

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

Wisconsin pheasant questions

When does pheasant season open in Wisconsin?

What is the pheasant limit in Wisconsin?

What are pheasant shooting hours in Wisconsin?

How many pheasants are there in Wisconsin this year?

The 2026 outlook from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has birds down on last year, with a survey index of 0.73 pheasants per stop. Against the longer run: above the most recent 5-year average. In the agency's words: "The DNR reported the 2026 average pheasant observations at 0.73 pheasants per stop, a decrease from 2025 at 0.81 pheasants per stop. For the third year in a row, the count remains above the most recent 5-year average (0.56 pheasants per stop)."

What license do I need to hunt pheasants in Wisconsin?

Where can I hunt pheasants on public land in Wisconsin?

Does Wisconsin 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

Wisconsin read October 8, 2026 from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 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.