Ring-Necked Pheasant

Pheasant Hunting

A Game Bird Permit is required to hunt ring-neck pheasant. The daily limit for pheasant is two (2) either sex birds. No physical tag required. Pheasants are stocked prior to opening day, then twice weekly, at most locations, until December. Birds are stocked once per week in December based on weather and available stock. Pheasant stocking does not occur in January and February. Stocked management areas are: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill Pond, and Eight Rod Farm.

Block Island Pheasant Hunting

Pheasant hunting is open on Block Island, with written landowner permission, on November 16 and 23, December 7 and 21 and January 4, 2023. Only male pheasants (roosters) may be taken from Block Island with a daily bag limit of 2 per day.

Species	Dates	Daily Bag Limit
Youth Pheasant*	October 14 - 15, 2023	2
Pheasant	October 21- February 28, 2024	2

* See Youth & Disabled Hunting Opportunities for more information

Pheasant Stocking Schedule for the 2023 Season

Pheasant Stocking Season: October 21, 2023 – December 30, 2023

Youth Season: October 14 – 15, 2023

Rhode Island DEM annually stocks ring-necked pheasants throughout the state’s upland habitats for fall hunting opportunities. Changes in vendors alter the midweek dates these birds are first available at each location. Birds are stocked the night before to provide them time to acclimate to their environment and provide a fair chase hunt to those with an RI Game Bird Permit ($17.00). The Stocking Schedule below shows the dates the birds are first available for harvest, but many will still be available days later for the motivated hunter with a keen dog!

List updated 9/27/23: Please stop back frequently as the schedule is subject to change based on vendor deliveries.

* Weather permitting

*Saturday, October 14, 2023: Nicholas Farm, Eight Rod, and Great Swamp

Saturday, October 21, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill, and Eight Rod Farm

Wednesday, October 25, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Great Swamp, and Nicholas Farm

Saturday, October 28, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill, and Eight Rod Farm

Tuesday, October 31, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Great Swamp, and Nicholas Farm

Saturday, November 4, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill, and Eight Rod Farm

Wednesday, November 8, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, and Nicholas Farm

Saturday, November 11, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill, and Eight Rod Farm

Tuesday, November 14, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, and Nicholas Farm

Saturday, November 18, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill, and Eight Rod Farm

Thursday, November 23, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill, and Eight Rod Farm

Saturday, November 25, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, Simmons Mill, and Eight Rod Farm

Wednesday, November 29, 2023: Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, and Nicholas Farm

Saturday, December 2, 2023: ** Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, and Eight Rod Farm

Saturday, December 9, 2023: ** Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, and Eight Rod Farm

Saturday, December 16, 2023: ** Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, and Eight Rod Farm

Saturday, December 23, 2023: ** Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, and Eight Rod Farm

Saturday, December 30, 2023: *** Arcadia, Black Hut, Big River, Buck Hill, Carolina, Durfee Hill, Great Swamp, Nicholas Farm, Sapowet Marsh, and Eight Rod Farm

Explore this interactive map that includes most lands scheduled for pheasant stocking. View stocking maps listed at the bottom of this webpage. Data is updated each fall as the season approaches.