Pheasant Release Information
Releases are scheduled to occur before the opening date and will continue until birds are no longer available from the Sheridan Bird Farm (typically the first week of December).
Release Information for Sand Mesa and Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Areas
Scroll down for the release calendar and information on statewide pheasant releases.
Over 3700 pheasants have been released on the Sand Mesa and Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Areas annually since 1996 (2011 was an exception with fewer birds available).
The calendar below (scroll to bottom) shows the dates and status of releases. The calendar is updated if the release schedule is altered. This can occur if there are weather events or other circumstances that prevent the release. If pheasants will not be released on a scheduled day, the calendar below will reflect that change after 2 pm on the release date.
If there is no notification on the release calendar, hunters can expect birds to be released as scheduled.
Personnel generally release birds after the close of shooting hours on the release day (after 2 pm). Birds are released on Sand Mesa WHMA throughout the area directly north of Bass Lake and at all public access sites along Ocean Lake's west and north side except the boat ramp.
Of the pheasant released, 40-45% are typically males and the remaining 55-60% are females. Check the regulations for opening and closing dates and times as well as harvest restrictions on male and female birds.
2024 Pheasant Release Sites
Bud Love - WHMA
Buffalo Run State Land
Fort Phil Kearny - HMA
Ocean Lake - WHMA
Rock Creek State Land
Sand Mesa - WHMA
Sheridan Ranches
Ulm/Dutch Creek
2024 Pheasant Season Table
| Hunt Area | Open Season Date | Close Season Date | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Bag Limit | Limitations | Start of Shooting Hours | End of Shooting Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Male pheasant only except those areas in Sheridan and Johnson counties that require a Pheasant Special Management Permit in Section 4 shall be open for any pheasant. (Youth Hunt Nov. 16 - Refer to Section 7) | ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
| 2 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 1 | 2 | 6 | Any pheasant (Youth Hunt Nov. 16 - Refer to Section 7) | Week Days 8:00 a.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
| Weekend Days 8:00 a.m. | Sunset | ||||||
| 2 | Dec. 2 | Dec. 31 | 2 | 6 | Male pheasant only | ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
| 5 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Male pheasant only except that portion of Area 5 north of the Shoshone River and west of the Yellowtail Reservoir shall be open for any pheasant (Youth Hunt Nov. 15-17 - Refer to Section 7) | Veterans Day (State Observed Holiday), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Weekend Days ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
| Week Days 11:00 a.m. | Sunset | ||||||
| 7 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Male pheasant only except that portion of Area 7 on the Table Mountain WHMA shall be open for any pheasant | ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
| Table Mountain WHMA 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | |||||||
| 8 | Oct. 11 | Oct. 31 | 3 | Season limit 9 | Any pheasant (Springer permits) Refer to Section 5 (Youth Hunt Oct. 12, 20, 26 - Refer to Section 5) | 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| 8 | Nov. 1 | Nov. 15 | 3 | 9 | Any pheasant | 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| 9 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Any pheasant (Youth Hunt Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 - Refer to Section 6) | 8:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
| 11 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 31 | 3 | 9 | Any pheasant | ½ hour before Sunrise | Sunset |
Youth Pheasant Hunts
Glendo Pheasant Hunt Area 9 youth-only hunt days shall be the following Sundays: November 3, 10, 17, and 24.
The Bud Love Wildlife Habitat Management Area and Ocean Lake and Sand Mesa Wildlife Habitat Management Areas youth-only hunt day is Saturday, November 16.
The Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area youth-only hunt days are November 15-17 and shall take place on all lands included in the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area north of the Shoshone River.
Adults with youth hunters welcome to attend.