PHEASANT HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN NORTHEAST OHIO

AKRON, OH –  The Ohio Division of Wildlife will be releasing over 15,000 ring-necked pheasants on 29 public wildlife areas across the state during the next six weeks. In northeast Ohio, almost 6,000 pheasants will be released on 11 areas.

“Pheasant hunting is an exciting and challenging sport,” said Dan Kramer, wildlife management supervisor. “Pheasants are not only known for their last minute flushes but their running abilities too,” noted Kramer.

Pheasant season opens Friday, November 2 and remains open through January 6, 2008 with a daily bag limit of two rooster (male) birds. Hunting hours are sunrise to sunset, statewide.

The cock (male) pheasant is a large, chicken-like bird with a bluish green head, a red cheek patch, and usually a white neck ring. The adult male has reddish brown back feathers that fade to bluish green on the lower back, and copper or maroon feathers on the breast. Wing feathers are reddish brown at the base of the wing, and lighter brown toward the tip. The adult hen is smaller than the cock. Feathers on the female are generally tan with brown and cream markings. Hens are not released into the wild by the Division of Wildlife.

The number of birds to be stocked and the release dates are listed by wildlife area in the accompanying table.
For more information on pheasants in Ohio, go to the "Species guide A to Z.”
 

Wildlife Area	19-Oct	26-Oct	1-Nov	9-Nov	21-Nov		TOTAL
Beach City			180	100	70		350
Berlin	200	240	300	180	140		1060
Grand River	200	230	300	220	140		1090
Highlandtown			260	110	120		490
Shreve			120	60	80		260
Spencer	180	200	140	60	120		700
Wellington	80	100	100	30	90		400
West Branch			150	100	100		350
Zepernick			130	60	70		260
Lake Metroparks	100	100	120	50	110		480
Camp Belden*	50	70	100	70	70		360
TOTAL	810	940	1900	1040	1110		5800