10-18-2026 12:24am

Pheasant Releases Coming to Caesar Creek Wildlife Area as Ohio Prepares for Fall Hunting Season

Beth Callahan Editor

(Contributed Photo) Pheasant releases begin Saturday, Oct. 24 during Ohio’s youth small game hunting season.

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- Hunters in Warren County will have an opportunity to pursue ring-necked pheasants this fall as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) prepares to release birds at Caesar Creek Wildlife Area as part of a statewide effort to expand public hunting opportunities.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife announced it will release more than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants at 41 public hunting areas across Ohio during late October and November. The releases will begin Saturday, Oct. 24, coinciding with Ohio's youth small game hunting season.

This fall, the Division of Wildlife will release male pheasants (roosters) at 41 public hunting areas for the following dates:

Saturday, Oct. 24 (first youth pheasant hunting weekend)
Saturday, Oct. 31 (second youth pheasant hunting weekend)
Friday, Nov. 6 (pheasant hunting opening day)
Saturday, Nov. 14
Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Day)

Pheasants will be released in the following locations:

Central Ohio: Delaware Wildlife Area; Kokosing Lake Wildlife Area; and Urbana Wildlife Area

Northwest Ohio: Hancock County Wildlife Area 5; Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area; Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area; Parkersburg Wildlife Area; Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area; Resthaven Wildlife Area; Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Area; Tiffin River Wildlife Area; Wyandot Wildlife Area (no youth releases); and Wood County Wildlife Area 5.

Northeast Ohio: Berlin Lake Wildlife Area; Camp Belden Wildlife Area (youth only); Charlemont Metro Park; Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area; Grand River Wildlife Area; Highlandtown Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area; Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area; Shreve Lake Wildlife Area; Spencer Lake Wildlife Area; West Branch Wildlife Area (no youth releases); and Zepernick Wildlife Area.

Southeast Ohio: Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area; Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area (youth releases during controlled hunt only); Salt Fork Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Tri-Valley Wildlife Area; and Wolf Creek Wildlife Area.

Southwest Ohio: Caesar Creek Wildlife Area; Coldwater Creek Nature Corridor; Darke Wildlife Area; East Fork Wildlife Area; Fallsville Wildlife Area (no releases Oct. 25 or Nov. 15); Fallsville South Wildlife Area; Indian Creek Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Pater Wildlife Area; Rush Run Wildlife Area; Spring Valley Wildlife Area; and Tranquility Wildlife Area.

Hunters should note that pheasant hunting is open only to people with a controlled access permit at Urbana Wildlife Area, Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area, and Coldwater Creek Nature Corridor.