Ohio Pheasant Hunting
Ohio has experienced 2 years in a row of February snow storms followed by wet, cool springs and dry summers. These conditions affected winter survival as well as summer reproduction and as a result, pheasant numbers are lower in all areas of the state.
Statewide, 2008 call counts were down 25 percent from 2007 and down 33 percent compared to 2006, so hunters will likely check in below the average of 160,000 wild pheasants harvested in the state each year. In recent years, northwest Ohio (Williams & Defiance Counties), north central Ohio (Wyandot and Marion counties), and central Ohio (Madison County) have had a consistent record of producing pheasants and will still provide opportunities for successful hunting in 2008, but pheasant populations are expected to continue to decline in future years due to massive loss of CRP in these areas.
In the upcoming years, the counties to watch will be Ross and Pickaway Counties, where tens of thousands of acres of Scioto CREP have been enrolled in the last several years. Ross County, with over 17,000 acres of newly enrolled Scioto CREP, has surpassed Williams County for the most CRP in any Ohio county. Also, Ohio's SAFE project is expected to roll out later in 2008, and will provide over 11,000 acres of CRP for grassland and wetland priority areas around the state.
Season Opener: November 7
Featured Ohio Guides, Outfitters, Lodges
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Ohio News Headlines
Recent pheasant news, articles, reports from the state of Ohio, pheasants forever and other sources.
- New Pheasants Forever Chapter Launches North of Columbus - Dec. 16, 2009
- Pheasants to Be Released at 30 Public Hunting Areas Statewide - Sep. 28, 2009
- Ohio Pheasants Forever Announces 2008 Habitat Accomplishments - Jan. 20, 2009
- Pheasants Forever Launches Build a Wildlife Area Campaign in Ohio - Jan. 19, 2009
- Pheasants Forever Supports Renewal of Clean Ohio Fund this November - Oct. 23, 2008
- Ohio Native Returns Home as PF/QF's New Regional Wildlife Biologist - Nov. 05, 2007
- GRANTS TO DEVELOP "WILD SCHOOL SITES" AVAILABLE THROUGH ODNR - Jan. 08, 2007
- Pheasants To Be Released At 29 Public Hunting Areas Statewide - Oct. 05, 2006
- Taft Dedicates New Visitor Education Center At Malabar Farm State Park - Sep. 25, 2006
- Ohio Pheasants Forever Recognized by USDA's Farm Service Agency - Sep. 21, 2006
