Salt Fork State Park included in ODNR pheasants release

Area hunters received some good news with a recent announcement from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Salt Fork State Park will be one of the locations included by ODNR for the release of 14,400 ring-necked pheasants at public hunting areas in late October and November. Releases begin Oct. 19 during Ohio’s youth small game hunting season.

"Salt Fork has had pheasant releases in the past and the total number of birds that will be released during the season has not changed. The change for this year is that some of the locations at Salt Fork will be a controlled hunt opportunity, which limits the number of hunters in a given area," ODNR Wildlife communications specialist Lindsay Rist said. "The fields for those controlled hunts were chosen by staff, but do meet parameters that made sense for them to be included. There will also be birds released on the area for general access. The controlled hunt locations are valid for the day they were issued, and those areas will be open after the controlled hunt period has ended.

"Controlled pheasant hunts have been offered in other parts of the state in previous years with participants providing positive feedback about the opportunities. This year, the program was expanded to offer these opportunities at more locations throughout the state and reach more hunters."

Ohio’s ring-necked pheasant hunting season is open from Nov. 1 through Jan. 12, 2025. The daily harvest limit is two male birds. No hens (females) may be harvested. A valid Ohio hunting license is required to pursue pheasants and other game birds.

Additional details on Ohio’s fall pheasant releases can be found at wildohio.gov , along with maps of public hunting areas, the current hunting and trapping regulations , and more.

This fall, the Division of Wildlife will release male pheasants (roosters) at 36 public hunting areas throughout Ohio. The Division of Wildlife will release pheasants on the following dates:

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Release dates:

• Saturday, Oct. 19 (first youth weekend)
• Saturday, Oct. 26 (second youth weekend)
• Friday, Nov. 1 (opening day)
• Saturday, Nov. 9
• Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day)

Release locations:

Central Ohio : Delaware Wildlife Area; Kokosing Wildlife Area; Urbana Wildlife Area

Northwest Ohio : Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area; Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area; Hancock County Wildlife Area 5; Parkersburg Wildlife Area; Wyandot Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Resthaven Wildlife Area; Tiffin River Wildlife Area; Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area; and Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Area (by special permit only).

Northeast Ohio: Berlin Lake Wildlife Area; Grand River Wildlife Area; Highlandtown Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area; Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Spencer Lake Wildlife Area; West Branch Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Zepernick Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Charlemont Metro Park; and Camp Belden Wildlife Area.

Southeast Ohio: Tri-Valley Wildlife Area; Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area (youth releases during controlled hunt only); Salt Fork Wildlife Area (no youth releases); and Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area.

Southwest Ohio: Fallsville Wildlife Area (no releases Oct. 19 or Nov. 9); Indian Creek Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Spring Valley Wildlife Area; Rush Run Wildlife Area; Caesar Creek Wildlife Area; Darke Wildlife Area; East Fork Wildlife Area; Pater Wildlife Area; Fallsville South Wildlife Area; and Coldwater Creek Nature Corridor.

Pheasant hunters should note pheasant hunting is open only to hunters with a controlled access permit at Urbana Wildlife Area, Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area and Coldwater Creek Nature Corridor.

Select pheasant hunting fields on Kokosing, Pickerel Creek, Parkersburg, Funk Bottoms, East Fork, Pater and Fallsville South wildlife areas, as well as Hancock County Wildlife Area 5, require a controlled access permit on all Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15; the Wednesday before Thanksgiving; and Thanksgiving Day.

Pleasant Valley, Salt Fork , and Killdeer Plains wildlife areas offer both controlled access pheasant hunts and public hunts. A special permit is required to hunt on Ringneck Ridge Wildlife. All other release locations offer public hunting.

KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Salt Fork State Park included in ODNR pheasants release