CONTACT:
Karen Bordeau: (603) 744-5470
Jay Martin: (603) 271-3211
September 30, 2019

CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire’s pheasant season opens October 1 and continues through December 31, 2019. Hunters are reminded that the pheasant season is closed statewide until noon on stocking days. In-season stocking dates are the following Thursdays and Fridays: October 3-4, October 10-11, and October 17-18. These necessary closures until noon provide for the safety of Fish and Game staff, volunteers, and pheasant hunters, and ensure the long-term integrity of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s pheasant program. This fall, 11,518 adult ring-necked pheasants will be stocked in all 10 counties with an average of 140 pheasants per site.

“Please keep safety foremost in mind,” said Karen Bordeau, Fish and Game’s Small Game and Pheasant Project Leader. “Take the time to thank landowners. Your hunting ethics on their lands and your thoughtfulness will help keep these lands open.”

Pheasant hunters must purchase a $31 pheasant license, in addition to the regular New Hampshire hunting license or non-resident New Hampshire small game license. Licenses can be purchased at www.huntnh.com or from any Fish and Game license agent. Pheasants are purchased exclusively with revenues from the sale of pheasant licenses.

All pheasant hunters are urged to follow these basic safety guidelines:

  • Wear hunter orange on your head, back, and chest.
  • Control your firearm muzzle at all times.
  • Always wear safety glasses.
  • Know where your hunting partners are at all times.
  • Shoot only within your zone of fire.
  • Be sure of your target and what is beyond.
  • Always keep your hunting dog under control.

For more information on hunting pheasants in New Hampshire, visit www.huntnh.com/hunting/pheasant.html.