Ring-necked Pheasant
hunting regulations.
Huntable in 31 states — 23 with general season. Click any state for the state-specific page.
Ring-necked pheasants are an introduced Asian gamebird that has thrived across the Northern US, particularly the Dakotas, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. Roosters carry brilliant copper-and-green plumage with the distinctive white neck ring. Populations are habitat-driven — CRP grass, weedy fence rows, and crop residue support birds.
Most pheasant states run general-season hunts with rooster-only daily bag limits typically 2-3 birds. Pointing dogs and flushing dogs both work well. The Dakotas (especially South Dakota) and Iowa are the destinations for serious pheasant hunters; the cackling rooster flush from grain stubble is the iconic upland moment in the Midwest.
Hunting regulations change. The information on this page reflects what we know about species presence and hunt availability based on state agency listings. For current season dates, bag limits, weapon restrictions, tag requirements, and reporting obligations, verify directly with your state wildlife agency. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
Where ring-necked pheasant can be hunted
31 states- CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ColoradoColorado Parks and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ConnecticutCT DEEP Wildlife DivisionPPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- DelawareDelaware Division of Fish and WildlifePPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- IdahoIdaho Department of Fish and GameYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IllinoisIllinois DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IndianaIndiana DNR Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- IowaIowa DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- KansasKansas Department of Wildlife and ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MarylandMaryland DNR Wildlife and Heritage ServicePPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- MassachusettsMassWildlifePPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- MichiganMichigan DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MinnesotaMinnesota DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- MontanaMontana Fish, Wildlife & ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- NebraskaNebraska Game and Parks CommissionYGeneral seasonVerify →
- NevadaNevada Department of WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New JerseyNJ Division of Fish and WildlifePPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- New MexicoNew Mexico Department of Game and FishYGeneral seasonVerify →
- New YorkNY DECYGeneral seasonVerify →
- North DakotaND Game and Fish DepartmentYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OhioOhio Division of WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OklahomaOklahoma Department of Wildlife ConservationYGeneral seasonVerify →
- OregonOregon Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Game CommissionPPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- Rhode IslandRI DEM Division of Fish and WildlifePPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- South DakotaSD Game, Fish and ParksYGeneral seasonVerify →
- UtahUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesYGeneral seasonVerify →
- VermontVermont Fish and WildlifePPrivate land / specific zonesVerify →
- WashingtonWashington Department of Fish and WildlifeYGeneral seasonVerify →
- WisconsinWisconsin DNRYGeneral seasonVerify →
- WyomingWyoming Game and Fish DepartmentYGeneral seasonVerify →
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