Wisconsin Ring-necked pheasant season opens October 17 at noon

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Spring surveys reveal fewer wild, naturally-reproducing birds, in 2009

MADISON – Hunters heading out to Wisconsin’s prairies and marshes in search of ring-necked pheasants this fall may have to sharpen their skills to be successful this season according to state wildlife officials. The 2009 pheasant hunting opens statewide at noon Oct. 17 and closes on Dec. 31.

“Wisconsin’s wild, naturally-reproducing pheasant population experienced another challenging winter,” said Scott Hull, DNR upland game biologist. “Both major surveys used to gauge pheasant populations in the spring showed decreases in 2009. The spring crowing count survey showed a 36 percent decrease and the rural mail carrier pheasant survey showed a 35 percent decrease in the number of roosters counted compared to 2008.”

Brood survey information collected in July and August, however, showed a 25 percent increase in the number of broods seen per observer and an increase in the average brood size from 4.6 young per brood in 2008 to 5.3 in 2009. While spring pheasant counts were down, the increase in brood production is a sign that the pheasant population is starting to rebound from the impact of 2008’s record rainy spring. “Good brood production in 2009 will offset some of the overwinter mortality we observed heading into the 2009 breeding season,” said Hull. “This is certainly a positive sign for pheasants and pheasant hunters as we approach the fall opener.”

During the 2008 pheasant hunting season, more than 70,000 hunters went out in search of pheasants and reported harvesting 360,207 birds. The top counties for harvest included Kenosha, Dane, and Dodge.

What to look for
In Wisconsin, research has shown that wetlands are one of the most important year-round cover types for pheasants. Areas within the pheasant management counties that contain adequate winter cover such as cattail and shrub-carr marshes, well established native prairie fields, and areas with 15 percent or more of the landscape in idle grassland will have the highest pheasant densities. It will be important for hunters to identify areas with high quality habitat and concentrate hunting efforts in that area.

Pheasant stocking program
This fall Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists plan to stock 71 public hunting grounds with approximately 45,000 game farm pheasants. This is a slight decrease from 2008 when 52,000 game farm pheasants were stocked on 70 public hunting grounds. The decrease is partially the result of higher feed and gas costs.

Hunters can check the Pheasant Stocking on State Properties on the DNR Web site for the 2009 Pheasant Stocking Information Sheet identifying public hunting grounds slated for pheasant stocking. Stocked public hunting grounds are primarily located in the southern part of the state. Hunters should carefully verify which public hunting grounds have a 2 p.m. closure and/or allow hen pheasant hunting.

More information on the 2009 pheasant population outlook is available as part of the 2009 Fall Hunting and Trapping Forecast. See the 2009 Small Game Hunting Regulations available on the hunting and trapping regulations page for additional details.

Bag limits
On Oct. 17 and 18, the daily bag limit is one cock and possession limit is two. For the remainder of the season the daily bag limit is two cocks and the possession limit is four. Some public hunting grounds offer both hen and rooster pheasant hunting (requires free permit and tags) and/or 2 p.m. closure times. The 2 p.m. closure requirements are only in effect for the first two weeks of the pheasant season, from Oct. 19 to Nov. 3. A pheasant stamp is required to hunt pheasants statewide.

NEW pheasant hunting opportunities through the Mentored Hunting Program
Effective September 1, 2009 just in time for the fall hunting seasons, hunters age 10 or older, born on or after January 1, 1973 can obtain a hunting license and hunt, without first completing hunter education, provided they hunt with a mentor and comply with all of the requirements under the Mentored Hunting Program.

For additional information and requirements of the program, visit the Mentored Hunting Program Web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hull, DNR upland wildlife ecologist - (608) 267-7861, Sharon Fandel, assistant upland wildlife ecologist - (608) 261-8458 or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9248