The pheasant season opened on Saturday, Oct. 17 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027 according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources .

The opening weekend had a daily bag limit of one rooster per day. Starting Monday, Oct. 19, the daily bag limit increases to two roosters per day. This limit remains in place for the remainder of the season.

Pre-stocking efforts ensure birds are on the landscape for the season opener. The DNR plans to stock 65,000 pheasants from the state game farm on 82 properties statewide. Stocking for the pheasant season will end on Nov. 19. This is earlier than in years past and is a necessary cost-saving measure due to budget shortfalls.

Hunters are encouraged to double-check the legal shooting hours on the properties they intend to hunt in the online hunting regulations. 

Hunters can use the DNR's Field's and Forest Lands Interactive Gamebird Hunting Tool to locate properties stocked with pheasants. The tool also allows hunters to use aerial maps, topography and measuring tools to identify areas of interest and make their trips more productive and enjoyable.

Hunters are also reminded to please double-check the DNR's Pheasant Stocking Information webpage for a list of the properties that will be stocked with pheasants this fall.