COLUMBUS — More than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants will be released at 24 Ohio public hunting areas this fall to provide additional hunting opportunities across the state, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources

The ODNR Division of Wildlife will release pheasants Friday, Oct. 21 and Friday, Oct. 28 prior to the small-game weekends for youth hunters. Youth ages 17 and younger can hunt statewide for rabbit, pheasant and all other legal game in season during two designated weekends, Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30.

Ohio’s small game hunting season begins on Friday, Nov. 4, with pheasant releases to take place Thursday, Nov. 3, and Thursday, Nov. 10. The final release of the year is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 23, and should provide improved pheasant hunting opportunities during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

A table of scheduled release numbers and locations can be found at bit.ly/2016ohiopheasant.

Hunters should note that pheasants will no longer be released at Shreve Wildlife Area in Wayne County.

Youth and regular pheasant hunting within the Ringneck Ridge Area in Sandusky County requires a free permit from the Sandusky County Park District. Visit sanduskycountyparks.com for more information.

Pheasant hunting season opens Friday, Nov. 4, and remains open through Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, with a daily bag limit of two rooster (male) birds. No hens (females) may be killed. Females are all brown while the males have a green head, a red and brown body and long tail feathers.

Statewide pheasant hunting hours are sunrise to sunset.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

Ohio will release thousands of ring-necked pheasants More than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants will be released at 24 Ohio public hunting areas this fall to provide opportunities for Ohio hunters. (File photo)
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/10/web1_ring-necked-pheasant.jpgOhio will release thousands of ring-necked pheasants More than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants will be released at 24 Ohio public hunting areas this fall to provide opportunities for Ohio hunters. (File photo)

Staff report