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Our pheasant release program is continuing to grow. There is a lot we are excited about, so get ready to hit the fields and explore Michigan's diverse landscapes like never before.
What's new for 2023
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Three times more rooster pheasants: Compared to last year, we're releasing three times more rooster pheasants, ensuring a higher chance of thrilling encounters during your hunts.
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Four new release sites: We're expanding our release locations to include Cass City, Crane Pond, Dansville and Stanton state game areas. These new sites offer fresh opportunities to discover the beauty of Michigan's wilderness.
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December releases: For those of you who can't get enough of the hunt, we've added extra releases in December on state game areas with open pheasant hunting seasons. Extend your season and make more memories!
Adam Bump, DNR upland game bird specialist, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "For seasoned hunters and newcomers alike, this is a prime opportunity for everyone to experience the thrill of pheasant hunting. We’re excited to expand the pheasant release program and offer hunters a unique chance to connect or reconnect with upland bird hunting in Michigan. The increased number of rooster pheasants and the addition of new release locations ensure that hunters can enjoy a memorable hunting season."
Important dates
Mark your calendars for the rooster-only pheasant releases, taking place from Oct. 20 to Nov. 14, coinciding with the pheasant hunting season. And don't forget, all release sites with an open December pheasant hunting season will have an additional pheasant release in December.
Release locations
This year, pheasants will be released on 13 state game/wildlife areas throughout southern Michigan, making it easier than ever for you to plan your hunting adventures.
- Cass City (Tuscola County) – fall and December release.
- Cornish (Van Buren County) – fall release only.
- Crane Pond (Cass County) – fall release only.
- Crow Island (Bay and Saginaw counties) – fall and December release.
- Dansville (Ingham County) – fall and December release.
- Erie (Monroe County) – fall and December release.
- Lapeer (Lapeer County) – fall and December release.
- Leidy Lake (St. Joseph County) – fall and December release.
- Pinconning (Bay County) – fall release only.
- Pointe Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties) – fall and December release.
- Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties) – fall and December release.
- Stanton (Montcalm County) – fall and December release.
- St. Johns Marsh (St. Clair County) – fall and December release.
Supporting conservation
The sale of the $25 pheasant license funds the pheasant release program, with pheasants supplied by the Michigan Association of Gamebird Breeders and Hunting Preserves. Your contribution helps support conservation efforts and ensures a thriving upland bird population.
Get ready to hunt
We encourage you to take full advantage of this remarkable opportunity to connect with nature and experience the joy of upland bird hunting. To learn more about the pheasant release program, including licensing requirements and season dates, visit Michigan.gov/SmallGame.
Don't miss out on this chance to make the 2023 upland bird hunting season your best one yet! Plan your adventures, gather your gear and get ready for an unforgettable experience in Michigan's great outdoors.
The fifth annual Joe Johnson Memorial Youth Pheasant Hunt will be held Saturday, Oct. 28 at Gordon Guyer-Augusta Creek state Wildlife Area in Kalamazoo County.
This pheasant hunt is held in honor of conservationist Joe Johnson, director of the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary from 1985-2007 and a leader in many conservation efforts throughout Michigan, the Great Lakes and beyond.
Hunter safety-certified youth hunters, ages 12-17, are invited to join us for this free pheasant hunt. Hunters should bring their base license, hunter orange garments and a cooler for their harvested birds. Lunch will be provided.
Groups of two will hunt with a guide, dog and dog handler. Pheasants will be planted for each group to hunt.
There are limited spots available for this hunt. Register now to reserve a spot for your youth hunter.
After registering, hunters will be contacted and assigned a hunting time between 9 a.m. and noon. A mandatory safety training will take place prior to each hunt.
Special thanks to our partners in conservation Pheasants Forever and Whitetails Unlimited for their contributions to the event.
For more information, contact Wayne Block at 269-578-3182 or [email protected].
Before you head into the field, be sure to check the latest hunting regulations in your area by looking at the 2023 Hunting Regulations Summary. For on-demand access to this info that travels where you do, without the need for internet access, download the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
Download and save 20% on onX Hunt digital mapping memberships by using the code MIDNR at checkout. Plus, a portion of every purchase will be donated to support Michigan conservation.
Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-WILD (9453).
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