Over the next few weeks, pheasants will be released on 10 state game/wildlife areas across southern Michigan to conclude the 2024 pheasant release program.

“The pheasant release program had a great regular season this year,” said Adam Bump, Michigan Department of Natural Resources upland game bird specialist. “Hunters enjoyed spending time together in the field, pursuing released birds across all 13 of our regular season release areas. This year, we made the program even more accessible by providing parking lot locations online. I encourage hunters to take advantage of December pheasant hunting at the 10 release areas still open.”

Birds will be released throughout the December pheasant season, offering a great opportunity to get outdoors and experience the hunt.

December release locations

• Cass City (Tuscola County).
• Crow Island (Bay and Saginaw counties).
• Dansville (Ingham County).
• Erie (Monroe County).
• Lapeer (Lapeer County).
• Leidy Lake (St. Joseph County).
• Pte. Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties).
• Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties).
• Stanton (Montcalm County).
• St. Johns Marsh (St. Clair County).

Directions to parking lots at release sites are available on the pheasant release webpage.

Hunting regulations and license requirements

The pheasant hunting season occurs Dec. 1 – Jan. 1 in the December pheasant management unit, which includes all of Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ionia, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, and portions of Allegan, Bay, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kent, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm and St. Joseph counties.

Only rooster pheasants may be harvested. There is a daily bag limit of two and a possession limit of four.

A base license is required for all pheasant hunters. A $25 pheasant license is required for hunters 18 and older planning to hunt pheasants on public lands in the Lower Peninsula or lands enrolled in the Hunting Access Program.

Private-land hunters and those on public lands in the Upper Peninsula do not need the additional license. Exemptions include lifetime license holders, hunters 17 and younger, and those hunting at game bird preserves.

The $25 pheasant license funds the pheasant release program, with pheasants supplied by the Michigan Association of Gamebird Breeders and Hunting Preserves.

Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just starting out, December is an excellent time to connect with nature and embrace the tradition of upland bird hunting. Explore public hunting lands, sharpen your skills, and bring friends and family to make lasting memories in the crisp winter air.

For more details on pheasant releases, visit Michigan.gov/SmallGame.