HARRISBURG, PA — As the crisp autumn air settles over Pennsylvania’s vast landscapes, anticipation among hunting enthusiasts is reaching its peak with the imminent start of the state’s ring-necked pheasant hunting season. Officially kicking off on Saturday, October 26, the season promises thrilling outdoor experiences and challenging pursuits for hunters across the Commonwealth.
This year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has announced plans to stock an impressive 237,000 pheasants throughout the season, which will continue through early January. These stocking efforts are predominantly focused on public lands, ensuring widespread access for hunters.
Ian Gregg, chief of the Game Commission’s Wildlife Operations Division, emphasized the strategic stocking schedule. “Releases will occur weekly from late October through late November,” he explained. “Additionally, a mid-December release aims to enhance hunting opportunities before the holidays, and for the fourth consecutive year, many sites will receive additional pheasants post-Christmas to extend late-season hunting.”
While the season is open statewide, exceptions include the Central Susquehanna and Franklin Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas (WPRAs), where no pheasant seasons are established this year due to insufficient population trends. Outside these areas, hunters are permitted to harvest both male and female pheasants, which are released at a ratio of approximately three males for every female. However, hunters must adhere to a daily limit of two pheasants and a possession limit of six.
To participate in pheasant hunting, adult hunters and certain senior hunters must obtain a pheasant permit, priced at $26.97, in addition to a general hunting license. These permits are accessible through HuntFishPA or any authorized license agent. Digital permits can be stored on smart devices, while traditional paper licenses must be signed when carried in the field. Notably, senior lifetime license holders who obtained their licenses before May 13, 2017, and junior hunters under 17, equipped with a free permit, are exempt from this requirement.
Although the revenue from pheasant permits does not entirely fund the propagation program, it plays a crucial role in sustaining the initiative. The 2023-24 license year saw nearly $1.5 million in permit revenue, underlining the significant interest in pheasant hunting within the state.
“Over 75,000 pheasant permits are issued each year,” Gregg noted, pointing to the enduring popularity and promise of small game hunting in Pennsylvania. As hunters prepare for the season, they are encouraged to prioritize safety and enjoy the rich tradition of pheasant hunting that the state offers.
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