Statewide pheasant season begins Oct. 21, adult and senior hunters need to carry signed permits.

The statewide pheasant season kicks off Oct. 21, and a new interactive pheasant-stocking map on the Game Commission's website will be updated throughout the season to include all properties where birds will be released, and direct hunters to the likeliest areas to find pheasants on each property.

The map is found on the Pheasant Allocation page at www.pgc.pa.gov, and can easily be accessed under Quick Clicks on the website's homepage.

The interactive map not only shows the properties where pheasants will be stocked, it allows the user to zoom in on properties to view potential pheasant hunting areas, even parking lots. By clicking on the property, users can learn the total number of pheasants released there last year, as well as the number of releases, to get an idea of what's happening there.

The first segment of the statewide season runs until Nov. 25. The season then reopens Dec. 11 and runs through Feb. 28. A total of 170,000 birds have been allocated for release this year on public land.

Birds are released prior to the statewide season, and there are four in-season stockings during the early season segment, and a late-season release within the wildlife management units in which both roosters and hens can be hunted.

All adult and senior pheasant hunters, including senior lifetime license buyers, are required this year to purchase a pheasant permit in addition to their general license. The permit, which must be signed and carried afield while hunting pheasants costs $26.90, and can be purchased at any time during the season.

Junior hunters do not need the permit to hunt or harvest pheasants.


Contact: Travis Lau 717-705-6541 or trlau@pa.gov