WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – When hunters take to the field the weekend for the start of the Ring-Necked Pheasant Season Opener, thousands of birds are expected to be on the landscape–stocked ahead of the event.
Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologists say part of the Glacial Habitat Restoration Area in southwestern Winnebago County makes a suitable setting for the upcoming pheasant hunting season.
“That kind of wide-open marshy area, and then the rest of the property here is a mix of upland and wetland areas, and some scattered trees,” said Josh Jackl, DNR Wildlife Biologist.
Jackl says hundreds of roosters were stocked in the area this week.
“We have about 80-85 properties that are probably stocked by the DNR, throughout the season, at least the beginning part of the season. So, of that, we put about 75,000 roosters on those properties throughout the season,” he said.
Why do pheasants need to be stocked?
“We have to stock because of the habitat not being the greatest. So what’s happened over the last 30-40 years, is the habitat has gone down hill. We just don’t have the available habitat that’s needed for the pheasants anymore. So it is hard for them to sustain a population, and/or increase that population,” said Jackl.
Jackl says opening weekend hunters are allowed to take one rooster Saturday and one on Sunday.
“Otherwise from the third day, through the rest of the season, you can get two birds a day,” he said.
For many, hunting the Ring-Necked Pheasant is a Wisconsin tradition, and Jackl says continued management combined with seasonal stocking, will help keep that tradition alive.
“It happens in a split-second. And you think it might be an easy thing, but it’s very easy to miss, when you get a flushing pheasant in front of you too. But the whole thing is pretty exciting,” he said.
The season runs from October 16 to January 9, 2022.
Shooting begins Saturday no earlier than 9 a.m.
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