Ring-Necked Pheasant

Scientific Name: Phasianus colchicus
Seasons and Bag Limits: 2022-23 Hunting & Trapping Digest, Small Game Section

Ring-necked Pheasant Wildlife Note

BUY your Pheasant Permit

Online (Pheasant Permit can be printed)
In person at an Issuing Agent, and walk out the door with your license.

Explore this interactive map including most lands scheduled for pheasant stocking. Each data point includes a number of pheasants and pheasant releases. Data is updated each fall as the season approaches.

Pheasant Allocations by list or interactive map

Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area Youth Hunt

Junior Pheasant Hunt Program

Junior Pheasant Hunt Season - Statewide, October 8-15, 2022

The Game Commission provides 15,000 birds for the youth pheasant hunt season each year. Junior hunters do not need a hunting license but must have successfully completed a Hunter-Trapper Education course. A FREE Junior Pheasant Hunting Permit (available online and at license vendors) is required to participate in the pheasant season for all junior hunters.

View the 2022 Junior Pheasant Season stocking locations (PDF)

Instructional Junior Pheasant Hunt Events

These are special hunting opportunities for junior hunters between 12 and 16 years of age, who have successfully completed a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course. Each year, sponsoring sportsmen's organizations from around the state host these instructional events. Hunting licenses are not required; participants must register and wear the necessary amount of fluorescent orange and be accompanied by an adult.

If your sportsmen's organization is interested in hosting an event, contact mentoredhunting@pa.gov for more information and download our Junior Pheasant Hunt Planning Guide (PDF) to help you to plan your hunting event.

Application to host a Junior Pheasant Hunt (PDF)

Reference

Pennsylvania Pheasant History
Ring-Necked Pheasant Management Plan (PDF)
Pheasant Harvest Rates - 2017 (PDF)
Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas
Pheasant Management Program
Preliminary Results - Hunter Survey of Pheasant Management in Pennsylvania - PowerPoint Slide Show (PPT)
Final Report - Hunter Survey on Pheasant Management in Pennsylvania (PDF) Game Farms - A Continuing History, Aug. 2021 by Bob D'Angelo

Content Editor

HUNTING

2022-23 Hunting & Trapping Digest, Small Game Section

Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 8-15 (2 daily, 6 in possession).

Statewide: Oct. 22-Nov. 12; Sunday, Nov. 13; Nov. 14-19; Sunday, Nov. 20; Nov. 21-25, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 27, 2023.

(2 daily, 6 in possession).